Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Maybe she’s dead.
“That smells divine, sweetie,” Stacey says, making me jump in surprise. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Bababa,” Dawson says in baby talk no one but him and Dad can understand.
Stacey chuckles. “Apologies, Mr. Dawson. We’ll continue reading.”
I stare at them and frown. Mom probably enjoys having this bedridden pregnant lady to help her babysit the kids. Dawson seems taken with Stacey. Maybe she can take him with her whenever she leaves and give the rest of us a break.
“Here’s some food for you,” I state, setting the tray down on the table beside her bed. “I was going to bring some for the other two, but Mom said they wouldn’t be hungry.”
Stacey hands the book to Dawson and gives me a sad smile. “Carter is in a lot of pain. Thankfully, Devon had some painkillers to give to him. He’s sleeping a lot, which is good for healing.”
I glance over at the boy, who seems much smaller than he did a couple of days ago. He’s so fragile and broken. I wonder if he’ll ever heal up.
“I hope he feels better soon,” I say, forcing a smile. “What about her?”
Stacey grimaces. “I don’t know. I’m sure that was awful what she went through. I can’t even imagine.” She chews on her bottom lip and her eyes well with tears. “Poor Logan. I know he’s just beating himself up over this.”
“What does Logan have to do with it?” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest. “She should be able to protect herself.”
She shakes her head. “As her husband, Logan has a duty. I’ve seen the way your father treats your mother. With our clan, it’s the same. The men protect the women and children. We provide them with comfort, love, and support.”
My lip curls up in disgust. I even entertained the idea of going with CJ whenever they left. Not now. Screw that. I’m not destined to be some housewife trapped indoors.
“You’re still young,” Stacey teases. “Overly independent right now. Don’t worry. Your feelings will change once you fall in love.”
Doubtful.
“Who knows? With the way CJ looks at you and you back at him, that might be happening sooner rather than later,” she says with a knowing smirk. “Let’s talk in a year and see if you still feel the same way.”
Stacey watches me with a sickly-sweet smile that makes my eye twitch. Something about this woman is weird. She’s trying too hard to be nice.
“Okay, well, if you don’t need anything else, we’ll leave you to it,” I say with false cheer. “Come on, baby bro. Let’s see what Mommy has for you to eat.”
He whines when I snatch him up, but I don’t care. I don’t like him sitting beside her. She’s creepy. If Ryder were here, he’d laugh at me and tell me I’m delusional.
I stalk out of the bedroom, ignoring Dawson’s wails. In the hallway, Declan and Kota are playing with both Mage and Spirit, tossing a ball back and forth. I kick the ball away from Kota, laughing when he calls me a buttface.
Mom is in the kitchen with Owen’s wife, Tee, Mya, and Seth’s wife, Lisa. I thrust the baby at her. “He wants you, Mom.”
Mya, picking up on my sass, smothers a laugh. Both Tee and Lisa regard me with wide eyes and raised brows.
Mom motions with her head out of the kitchen as she takes Dawson. She soothes him while following me out of the house and onto the porch.
“Care to explain?” she asks, cutting her eyes over to me. “You’re in quite a mood today.”
“I’m getting my period,” I lie, sneering at her. When you have your period, you’re basically allowed to be a bitch.
“No, you’re not,” Mom says with a heavy sigh. “You’re letting that girl get to you.”
Mya.
She must always be on her period because she’s always a mega bitch.
“I’ll be glad when she’s gone,” I grumble, admitting how much I dislike her.
“It’ll be nice to have our home again,” Mom agrees, flashing me a conspiratorial grin. “Won’t be long.”
I shift on my feet, scanning the yard until I can see the gate. Seth was one of the men left behind to guard the homestead. He leans against the gate with his hat pulled down low. The dude is probably sleeping. Some guard he is. I’d be a better watchman than him but no, they desperately need someone to make spaghetti noodles and fold the dry laundry. Gag.
“What’s up with that Stacey lady?” I ask, turning from the incompetent man to look at my mother. “She’s weird.”
Mom purses her lips. “You’re sheltered, Rae. Your exposure to people is very limited. There will be people you come across that you don’t mesh well with.”
“She tries too hard,” I argue. “It’s like she’s been tasked with being my best friend. Did you put her up to this since Mya is such a bitch?”