Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“Mommy!” Briar’s voice echoes through the house just as we open the back patio French doors. She barrels into me, and I barely have time to brace for impact before her arms wrap around my waist, her legs doing the same around mine. A game we like to play where I’ll walk with her through the house as she clings to me like a koala bear, and when I’m lying flat on my stomach on any given surface, she’ll lie right on top of me. My girl loves her mom and, god, do I love her.
“Baby girl, you look beautiful. Did you do your hair and makeup?” I ask when she tilts her head up. My hands have a mind of their own, picking her up like she’s still a toddler when Briar is, in fact, nearly seven years old.
“I did. Isn’t it gorgeous?” She drags the word out, a clear sign she’s been watching old movies with Mom again.
“Absolutely fabulous.” I hug her to my body and breathe her in for a moment. It won’t last long. There are too many people here, and she’s bound to bounce from person to person.
“Trent!” She moves from me and lurches herself toward the man standing beside me. He has no problem catching her. She wraps her arms around his neck, and everything inside me settles at the fact that my girl loves Trent as much as I do.
“Kenny, come here, my dear,” Mom says. She’s sitting by herself in the hanging two-seater swing where I’m sure Briar sat beside her before we made an appearance. There isn’t an ounce of anger in her voice. In fact, it’s the same tone she’d use saying hello on a normal basis. I take a deep breath. Trent’s hand squeezes my hip once. My eyes gravitate toward his, and he nods while Briar is chatting his ear off about what they did last night. I hear her talk about the dress and shoes, plus a small bouquet of flowers Gee-paw bought her. Yep, she calls Mike Gee-paw, and my dad is granddad. I can’t say that my relationship with him, or my daughter’s, is exceptionally close. His wife kind of ruins that. He also doesn’t come around near as much if she happens to be in town. When she’s visiting her kids, he’ll come over, and we’ll have a meal. He’ll try to make up with offering cash or bringing us a few things, and as much as I try to think positive, sometimes it’s hard because I’m just a girl who still needs her daddy.
“Hey, Mom.” I bend down to kiss her cheek. She does the same and pats the other side in an affectionate way.
“I’m not passing judgment, plus I can’t even say I’m surprised. All those years in dance class came in handy, huh?” I let out snort of laughter. She’s not wrong. I mean, after nearly eighteen years of some kind of formal dance training, one does not simply forget.
“You could say that. You’re not mad at me?” I ask.
“Kennedy Lynn, why would I be mad at you? You did what any single mom had to do, and yes, you have an army of friends and family, but I also understand you need to do things for yourself. And I can’t say I’m surprised. I noticed the subtle change in the shape of your curves, toned more than normal, and your calf muscles, my goodness, I always did envy them.” She presses her shoulder into mine. “I also have eyes of my own, noticed a thing or two. Do you care to elaborate, or will your brother be calling me later. I swear he’s more of a gossiper than you and I put together,” Mom finishes.
“Yes, please tell, because I can see three men over there in a very intense conversation.” Lennie plops down in a chair beside us. She’s pregnant with twins. In her first trimester and sporting a cute baby bump. Apparently, when there’s more than one baby, everything happens faster—you show more, your symptoms are stronger, and a pregnancy test will show right away with that usual faint line in the early days.
“Well, about that. Trent and I are absolutely a thing. He’s going to break it to Asher. Fingers crossed there’s no bloodshed between them or the others. Then we’re going to talk to Briar. She’s the most important deciding factor.” I could really use a drink right now, a mimosa, Bloody Mary, shot of tequila, really anything.
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with Briar,” Mom says, leaving me hanging.
“Your brother has eyes. He saw the two of you talking after his accident. He grumbled for all of two seconds, then sat on it. The wheels were spinning in his head. I knew enough to sit back and stay quiet, knowing he’d fold eventually. Later that night, he did.” I arch my eyebrows, wanting her to elaborate.