Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“It’s kinda gross,” Johnny says, wrinkling his nose. “But I guess grown-ups do gross stuff like that. Grandpa kisses Grandma all the time, and ew.”
“Yeah, they do.”
Holly and Johnny share a look and then nod.
“Yeah, we like the idea,” Johnny says. “Erin is part of our family now anyway. She’s the best.”
Happy with the way that went, I reach for an apple.
He’s right. Erin is the best.
Chapter Eighteen
Erin
“We’re home!” Holly comes running into the kitchen through the mudroom, and I hold up my hand.
“Wait. Go take those boots off in the mudroom, please. All of you, take your boots off.”
“They’re not that dirty,” Holly mutters as she walks back to the mudroom. When she’s taken them off, she comes running back in her socks. “We said yes!”
“You said yes to what?” I ask as she throws her little arms around my waist and hugs me close.
“I didn’t think they’d run right in and spill the beans,” Rem says from the doorway. He’s also sockless and has a pained look on his face.
“Yeah, Holly, you were supposed to keep your mouth shut so Dad could be romantic,” Johnny says, shaking his head.
“It’s too exciting,” Holly replies. “Tell her, Dad.”
“Someone tell me something.”
Remington laughs and walks to us, then disentangles Holly from me, kisses her cheek, and sets her on a stool at the island.
“I asked the kids if they’d be okay with you and I…uh, you know…were together.”
“He wants you to be his girlfriend,” Holly announces with glee, which makes Remington cringe.
“Really?” I can’t help but grin up at him and step just a little closer. “Is that true, Grumpy?”
The kids both snicker at the nickname, and Remington nods slowly, smiling down at me.
“Yeah, Doc. It’s true. What do you think?”
“I think I’m in.”
He cups my face and leans in to kiss me softly, almost chastely. Johnny makes a gagging noise, making us laugh.
“I know you have to do that, but in front of us? Really?”
Rem’s eyes don’t leave mine. “Get used to it, kiddo.”
My family arrives today, and I have zero chill.
After I took the kids to school, I kept myself busy by doing some laundry and cleaning the kitchen. Then I sorted through my bathroom stuff and purged all the creams and salves and fancy potions that I don’t use and set them aside to donate.
I’m just about to go out of my mind with anticipation when my phone finally rings.
“Hey, baby doll,” Mom says. “We’re here!”
“Oh, my God, I’m so happy. Where, exactly, are you?”
“At the condo, getting settled in. This town is adorable. I can definitely see why you love it so much.”
“You guys stay there,” I reply as I sling my crossbody handbag over my head and grab the keys to my car out of the bowl on my dresser, along with a few peppermints. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” she promises me. “I can’t wait for you to get here.”
“On my way.”
I hurry out to my car and start it, then pause. Depending on how long I’ll be, I might not have time to come out to the ranch and switch cars to get the kids, so I turn off the engine and hurry over to the Suburban.
Before I pull out, I shoot Remington a quick text.
Me: I’m going to the condo to see my family. They just got here! Don’t worry, I’ll still get the kids from school.
I send off that message and then pull through the gate and onto the highway.
I went to Seattle a few months ago for Drew and London’s engagement party, but other than that quick trip, I haven’t seen my family since late last year. I saw my dad for a couple of hours recently, but that doesn’t really count.
I drive through Bitterroot Valley and make my way to the ski village, where the condo is. There’s a code there to get through the gate, and then I park in visitor parking.
When I knock on the door, it’s opened wide, and my mom immediately tackle hugs me.
“My baby,” she says, holding on tight. God, she smells good. Do all moms smell like home? Because that’s what she smells like. She kisses my cheek and then pulls back to look at me. “You look…great.”
“Thanks.”
Zoey and Dad both take turns hugging me, as well, and we end up in the kitchen, as usual, where it looks like someone already delivered some groceries.
“Your father was hungry when we landed,” Mom explains as she sets out crackers, cheese, and fruit.
“Of course, he was,” I reply and smile at my dad. “He’s always hungry. But I’m a little hungry, too. I need to take you to the BBQ place in town. In fact, that’s where we should have dinner tonight.”
“That sounds good,” Mom says, and once everything is spread out on the counter for us to pick at, she sighs and stares out the floor-to-ceiling windows to the mountain beyond. “It’s just flat-out gorgeous here. I can picture it in my head, what it’ll look like all snowy and pretty.”