Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“Oh no. Daddy, help,” Brandon cries out, trying to crawl off the large bed but I’m too quick. I take him down on the mattress and tickle him until he calls out. “I sender. I sender.”
Landon shakes his head. “Teach you to wake a grizzly bear. He’s in hibernation, boys.”
“Come on, Uncle Bear,” Landon Jr. adds before following his daddy out.
“I’m coming. I’m just saying there better be a big cup of coffee waiting for me.” Landon nods and leads the boys out.
I look and the sun’s already out, which is late for me, but I’d been up for an hour waiting for them to rush in when I finally let sleep get to me. The boys usually get their parents first and then me. Grandma was the one to send them to wake me last year. Damn, I miss my mom.
Hopping off the bed, I hit the little boys’ room. I brush my teeth and wash my face, slip on a tee shirt that matches all the matching pajamas Lara got us. My sister really loves the whole mom life. I’m actually jealous of my brother-in-law, having found someone perfect even if she’s my little bratty sister.
“Good morning, Lara. Merry Christmas, little sister.” I pull her into my arms. She’s already in tears. Mom would have loved this set up. Their home is gorgeous and massive, but it’s warm and inviting.
“Merry Christmas, big brother. I’m so glad you’re here with us.”
“They’re here with us too. They’re proud and love their babies. So let’s remember that.”
“Coffee and hot chocolate coming,” Landon shouts, bringing in a large tray. I take my cup off and take off one of the hot chocolates.
“Which one does this go to?” I say, looking at the cup with the name on it. “Hmm…”
“That’s mines,” Brandon cheers with his arms up waiting.
“Let Uncle Bear set it down for you,” Landon warns Brandon, which reminds me that he’s not old enough to do a lot on his own. I set it down and then his daddy says, “Two hands.” He’s almost three. Smart, but he’s a wild one like my sister. Landon Jr. acts more reserved. I’m not sure if he got that from his father or my father and me. It’s a trait we share.
“So what’s up with this present business? All this rushing and yet there’s no rustling of papers and oohs followed by aahs.”
“You heard your uncle—pass out the first gifts, buddy.” Landon holds Lara in his arms as they sit on the large sofa together. I join the boys on the floor. I don’t get to see them often, so they tend to give me a little more time with them. It also gives them a little reprieve from parent duties. We’re supposed to have a snowball fight later. My flight leaves tomorrow, and I’m soaking up all these moments with them. I spend time with Greyson and Connor, John’s boys, but these guys I see twice a year.
“Here. This is for you, Uncle.”
“What’s this?”
“I think that’s the point of Christmas. Tear up that paper,” Lara says.
I rip it open and smile. It’s the last picture with me and my mother before she died. She got dolled up after one of the girls in town came down with my mother’s nurse, and then we had a great dinner. They took pictures of us, but I’d been too sad to look at them. There’s another with all of us as well. “Lara, this is perfect.” I wipe the tears that fall from my eyes. I give her a hug, then excuse myself for a minute. She was so animated and demanded that I find the love of my life and make Reynold’s Ranch a home again. “One day, Momma. One day.”
I place it on my nightstand in the room, then head back to the family. They waited for me, I guess. “I’m back. You could have continued without me.”
“Mommy had to tinkle.” Landon gives me a look that says all it needs.
“Oh.” She came back, and I could see that she had fresh tears.
“Enough of this, you two. The pictures are going to be total shit if you keep it up,” Landon reminds us. Lara will be pissed later if she looks a total mess in them.
A memory hits me that still embarrasses Lara. “It will be like that time you hit me in the head with your barbie house because you didn’t get the toy you wanted. I had stitches and had been crying.”
“Oh goodness. Dad spanked me good for that one. We spent the day in the ER. It was an interesting Christmas.”
“Yep. You better watch out for that little one.” I point toward Brandon, who has a twisted intent look on his face like he’s up to no good. I see him swipe another cookie off the tray on the table.