Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Your fault,” he growled.
“Whatever.”
He blew out a long breath. “Might as well have a scotch while we wait. You got our brand at the bar?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll go get us one.”
My father-in-law headed to the bar. Ours was a complicated relationship of constant battle. We loved to squabble. Trade shots. One-up each other. But the bottom line was I respected him, even liked him, and on the rare occasion, he admitted to feeling the same way. If I plied him with enough scotch and no one else was around to hear him.
He was a good man who loved his family deeply, and I followed his example daily.
I simply never told him that.
The memory of the day he found out he was going to be a grandfather still made me grin.
Richard and Katy were leaving to head back to BC. Gracie and I were moving in to their house in Port Albany so Gracie no longer had to contend with the elevator. All of my things were going into storage, and we would be in her old room. There was no way I was sleeping and making love to her in her parents’ bedroom. I ordered a new, bigger bed than the double it currently contained, and we would live there until our new home was ready. She loved it there, and I had to admit it would be a great place to bring up a child.
She was nervous about telling her parents, and I took her hand in mine as we sat at the table having coffee before they left for the airport.
“Aiden says your place will take priority. With the crew they have, the house will be ready by the summer,” Richard mused.
Gracie nodded. “Yes.”
“We’ll be back in a couple of weeks for the wedding, then you’ll be on your own. I’ll be back and forth as usual, but I’ll stay in Toronto.” He cleared his throat. “Newlyweds like their privacy.”
I chuckled, and Gracie sputtered over a sip of coffee.
He frowned, looking between us. “Gracie, you’re pale.” He narrowed his eyes. “What did you do?” He aimed his glare at me. “Keep it up, and I’ll withdraw my blessing.”
I rolled my eyes. “You realize, Richard, that our legal wedding date is in December. That we are, in fact, already married. We’re doing this for the family.”
He sat back. “Your point?”
“You can’t withdraw your blessing. I’m already her husband.”
“Uh-huh.”
I turned slightly in my chair so I could see the expression on his face. “The father of her children.”
“Not yet.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Soon enough.” I pulled Gracie close. “Sooner than we expected.”
Katy’s breath caught, and she covered her mouth, looking between us as my words lingered in the air.
I looked at Richard. I expected anger. Accusations. Maybe another facer. What I didn’t expect was the softening around his eyes. How his hand sought Katy’s on the table. The glimmer of tears as he blinked.
“You’re pregnant?” He addressed Gracie.
“Yes,” she confirmed. “And Dad, I’m thrilled.” She squeezed my hand. “We’re thrilled.”
“Your career,” he said with a frown. “Your plans.”
“Haven’t changed. We’re just taking a different route,” she insisted.
“And you’re happy?”
“So much.”
“We’re both happy,” I inserted. I met his eyes. “My wife and child are my number one priority. Now. Always.”
He was silent for a moment.
“My baby is having a baby. I’m going to be…” He trailed off.
“A grandpa,” I finished triumphantly.
“Grandpa,” he repeated as if testing out the word.
“The sexiest grandpa I know.” Katy smirked.
Suddenly, he grinned. “I beat Mad Dog. And Bentley. They’ll be so freaking jealous.”
Then he stood and took Gracie in his arms, hugging her and talking quietly. I got a hug from Katy and waited until Richard finished his private conversation with Gracie. I extended my hand, shocked when instead I got a fast, hard hug, and he slapped my shoulder. “Enjoy this,” he said. “Nothing beats becoming a dad. Nothing.”
I met his gaze, sharing a moment of camaraderie with him. It strengthened our rather odd relationship, but I knew he supported us, and that was all that mattered.
“I’ll be around to make sure you don’t fuck it up too much,” he added dryly, making me laugh.
Typical Richard.
I roused from my memories as Richard handed me a scotch with a wink. “Katy loves being a grandma. I guess I’ll let her win this one.”
I snorted. “You let her win a lot.”
“I wouldn’t talk, Jaxson.” He grinned. “My daughter has you whipped.”
“Whatever, Dad.”
We both laughed.
I listened to the laughter and conversations around me, thinking of the last time I had been in this room.
I had married Gracie. Again.
This time, in front of her family. Watching as she walked the short distance to me, her eyes clear, bright, and shining with happiness. Wearing a pretty lacy dress Cami had made for her, her bare shoulders and neck gleaming in the light. Addi and Heather stood beside her. Ronan and Michael flanked me. I had grown closer to Ronan, discovering his quiet side. We enjoyed spending time together in Port Albany, and he was a frequent guest at the house.