Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Not only that, but I looked over at the trees and imagined a house in the clearing—with a wide front porch and a hammock on one end and a garden on the side and flowers blooming in window boxes and Elliott racing down to swim in the pond with friends so close they were more like cousins and Beckett and I following behind, hand in hand.
Are you crazy? shouted the voice in my head. You’ve been here one fucking weekend. You just heard him say he doesn’t want that kind of future. You chased a fantasy once before and look where it got you.
I squeezed my eyes shut, blocking out the view and the voice all at once.
I didn’t need the past intruding on this warm, lovely present. So what if it was temporary? It was enough.
It had to be.
Twelve
Beckett
“How’d it go?” Mallory was sprinkling salt over a baking tray full of fresh-cut sweet potato fries as Maddie and I came in from the mudroom.
“Good.” I went over to the fridge and grabbed two cold bottles of water. “We worked for several sweltering hours before Moretti showed up and offered to buy the place. He timed it just right.”
My sister laughed. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Pretty sure he was in his car across the street watching with binoculars while we busted our asses in the front yard.” I handed one bottle to Maddie and uncapped the other. “Where’s Dad?”
“On the deck with the kids and the dog. Sitting in the shade with his puzzle book while they play Barbies.” She swapped the salt for pepper.
“They’re still at it, huh?” Maddie asked.
“Yes. They’ve been playing and chatting nonstop,” said Mallory. “You’d never guess they just met today.”
Maddie laughed. “Elliott is in heaven, I’m sure. Have they been playing Barbies the whole time?”
“Mostly, although they took a brief break to play salon, and he braided her hair. Elliott is so talented!”
“He loves brushing and braiding hair,” Maddie said. “And putting on makeup too.”
“They get along so well,” Mallory said, sticking the tray in the oven and setting a timer. “We’re going to have to tear them apart when it’s time to go.”
“She’s welcome to stay over,” I said, after chugging half the bottle of water.
“Thanks, but she’s got camp in the morning.” Mallory turned around and seemed to really see us for the first time. Her expression was puzzled. “Did you guys go swimming or something?”
Maddie touched her damp, matted hair. “Um . . .”
“After we cleaned up, we drove over to the pond to cool off,” I said. “It was hot.”
“I bet it was.” Leaning back against the counter, Mallory didn’t bother to disguise her smile. “Did you swim in your clothes?”
“Yes.”
“Guess they dried fast.”
I frowned at my sister, warning her to behave. “What’s for dinner? I take it you’re staying.”
“Yes. Feel like grilling some burgers? Maybe some hot dogs for the kids?”
“Sure. Let me just grab a quick shower.”
“Can I help you with anything, Mallory?” Maddie asked, snapping a ponytail holder around her soggy hair.
She shook her head. “Nope, I’m good. It’s nothing fancy. Just burgers and fries.”
“I’ll get cleaned up too and then I’ll put together a salad. I can also set the table. Maybe we can eat out on the patio?”
“Perfect.”
Maddie smiled. “I’ll be right down.”
“No rush.” Mallory glanced pointedly at both of us. “Have a nice shower.”
I gave her the finger as we left the kitchen.
“She knows,” Maddie whispered as we went upstairs.
“She knows.”
“Is it okay?” We reached the top and she turned to face me, a worried look on her face.
“Of course it’s okay. I might be her younger brother, but I’m a grown man, and this is my fucking house.” I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her lips. “I do what I want in it. So any time you want to sneak across this hall, my door is open.”
She smiled up at me. “Good to know.”
After dinner, I tossed some easy pitches at Elliott and Daisy, who took turns batting and fielding the few hits they managed. Maddie played catcher while my sister and dad sat on lawn chairs and cheered everyone on.
When the light faded into dusk, we sat on the deck and watched the sun set as Daisy and Elliott ran around with some sparklers I’d found in the garage. DiMaggio played at their heels, excited to have two young, energetic kids around. I nursed a beer, happier and more relaxed than I’d been in a long time.
I glanced over at Maddie, who sat next to me sipping from a glass of white wine. Her skin glowed in the warm amber light. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled slightly at the corners. When she laughed, she still covered her mouth like she used to when she was young. But her lips were perfect—so full and soft and tempting.