Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
But strangely he reminded me of, well…
Me.
He was an observer. He enjoyed being around people, and he was clearly happy to be spending time with his family, getting to know the two women who had entered his father’s life.
But he was also detached.
Not quiet, or shy, or rude.
Just aloof.
And the beauty of that was, he knew it about himself, and he seemed comfortable in it.
He also knew it about me.
I understood this when Chloe, Cadence and Sasha were clamoring on about something, talking over themselves in that way young women do where they were all able to follow everything that was said even though it was being said all at once.
Judge was slouched beside Chloe, his arm along the back of the couch behind her, grinning into his beer, but he would interject occasionally when there was an opening to do so.
Tom was much the same with me, and he was almost glowing, he was so happy his living room was filled with people he loved and cheerful chatter.
But Matt caught my eye, and we shared a look of understanding so astonishingly profound that early in knowing each other, something else settled in me.
That feeling got better when I smiled at him.
And Matt smiled back.
An important aside, I could also see why Matt’s calling was to be a vet.
Perhaps it was that his voice sounded a lot like Tom’s. Perhaps they smelled something alike.
But the kittens adored him.
Eventually, it got to the point that Tom needed to go back and forth to the kitchen to make sure dinner was coming along, and I helped him.
We were in the kitchen, the prime rib roast out and resting, minutes from calling everyone to the dining room table, when Tom got close and murmured, “It’s going well, don’t you think?”
I nodded enthusiastically and shared, “Cadence was really worried.”
His brow furrowed. “She was?”
“She was worried Matt wouldn’t like her.”
His consternation cleared and he nodded. “I can understand that. I see she’s past it, but I’d probably have the same worry.”
“Tom,” I called, even though he was right there.
“Yes, honey,” he answered, even though he was right there.
“I think she’s falling in love with you.”
Tom grew completely still.
I continued speaking.
“I figure you know that on some level, but I feel it needs to be out there. She’s never had a father, and I’ve been so involved with how I feel about having you in my life, I haven’t realized how she’s blossoming for the same reason. I knew she really liked you, and us together. I just didn’t—”
“Please be quiet,” he whispered.
I shut up.
I also stared at his face.
And then I felt the tears prick my eyes.
Eventually, he broke our silence in order to promise, “I’ll handle her with care.”
“I never doubted that.”
“That means everything, sweetheart, you saying that. But I feel it needs to be out there.”
All right.
At any moment one of our kids could walk in.
But I didn’t care.
I threw myself at him.
We were making out, lightly, the easier to break it off if someone walked in, when the doorbell rang.
We had to break it off then, because Tom drew back with another furrowed brow.
I understood this one too, because he wasn’t expecting anyone.
“I’ll deal with the roast, you—” I started to offer.
I was cut off by Chloe saying very loudly, “Oh my God, you have a nerve.”
Tom let me go and his long legs took him quickly to the living room.
My legs weren’t short, but he made it there before me, and I nearly ran into his back because he’d stopped dead on the landing that ran along the area at the front of the house.
I stepped to the side and knew why he was immobile.
Imogen Swan stood in the door, and I’d seen her only twice in real life.
And both times, she’d worn the same look.
Pale.
And pained.
* * *
Tom
“Chloe, cool it,” Matt ordered.
“I will not!” Chloe retorted hotly.
“Chloe, baby, maybe you should take a breath,” Judge suggested.
“It really isn’t a good time, Mom,” Sasha noted.
“I know,” Genny said, appearing agonizingly uncomfortable and now standing only a step inside the door. “That’s why I shared I’d leave you to it and Tom and I could talk later.”
“No, I really rather think you should stay,” Chloe put in. “And explain to all of us why you’ve been behaving the way you have.”
“This isn’t the time, Chloe,” Matt bit out.
“It isn’t,” Judge agreed.
“When’s the time?” Chloe demanded. “Her time? Is it always going to be her time this family does anything?”
“I gotta admit, that’s valid,” Sasha muttered.
At Sasha’s words, Genny’s face, which had turned pink with embarrassment, lost all color again.
Chloe swung an arm toward her sister, but her gaze was on Matt. “See? We all deserve an explanation.” She turned her attention to her mother. “In fact, it’s high time we had one.”
“Stop it,” Tom said low. “Now.”