Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Like you think about Emmy.”
Everything about him softened at the mention of his beloved wife. The sweet girl who’d brought him out of his shell and taught him what was really important in life. “She is pretty perfect.”
“Perfect for you.”
His smile said it all.
Maddox laughed at something Brayden said, clapping him on the shoulder. He leaned down, taking their granddaughter and lifting her high. She saw Bentley and waved, calling his name. “Grampa! Come save me. PopPop is eating me!”
Bentley chuckled and excused himself. He and Maddox doted on the grandchildren they shared. Addi and Brayden had known each other their entire lives, and it surprised no one when that turned into love, forever tying the families together. Bentley went over, picking up Ella and giving her a raspberry. Her sister, Skylar, watched, smiling and staying close to her mom. She was the shyer of the two, preferring to stay within her family circle. Addi and Bray always made sure to sit between the two families so the kids got both sets of grandparents close.
I smiled as I watched Shelby, Maddox and Dee’s daughter. She was always quiet, her head in the clouds or a sketchbook. She’d been busy today, sketching everything and everybody. I knew she would finish the drawings in more detail later, and everyone would be given copies as gifts. Her husband sat close to her, watching with an indulgent smile. Simon owned an art gallery and had fallen in love with Shelby quickly. It took him a long time to convince her to give him a chance, but once she did, they moved fast. They were married and settled in Toronto. She painted and sketched and helped him run his successful gallery. She built up her reputation and was a sought-after artist. They fit each other perfectly, and Maddox often stated she couldn’t have a better partner.
Bentley bent down and spoke to Emmy, and Reid took full advantage, sliding onto the vacant chair.
“Finally,” he groused. “The bastards didn’t even include me in the challenge.”
Bentley looked up, frowning, then laughed and sat beside Emmy. He waved his hand in a magnanimous gesture. “Good one, boy wonder.”
Reid chuckled. “Haven’t been called that in a long time.”
“You’ll always be that to them.”
He smiled. “I know.” He glanced at my plate. “Do you want something else, Sandy? Jordan?”
Jordan shook his head. I smiled. “No, my boy. I’m good. It was delicious.”
“It was good. Not as good as when our wives cook, but I’m glad they took the day off. Becca is enjoying having everyone here.”
I followed his gaze. Becca was on the sofa, surrounded by her kids and grandkids. Reid still looked at her as if she’d hung the moon. Theo and Anne were laughing at something Jenny said, no doubt teasing her little brother, Carter. Lily and her partner, Daphne, were smiling, their two rescue dogs on their laps being fed tidbits.
“Lily looks so happy,” I murmured. “So settled.”
Reid nodded. “She is so busy at ABC, running their systems. Theo says she blows me out of the water,” he boasted, not at all put out. “And Daphne is amazing. She was just offered head trauma nurse. Lily is so proud. We all are. She’s a great partner for Lily. I’m glad they found each other.” He sat back, lowering his voice. “Melissa and Timothy found out their adoption of Michael has been approved. We’re going to need another party to celebrate.” He grinned. “Maybe a touch smaller.”
I laid a hand on his arm. “Reid, how wonderful.”
He smiled fondly as Michael came over, his little face wreathed in smiles. “Gramps,” he said. “Gramma said I get two pieces of cake since I ate all my supper.”
Reid lifted him onto his knee. “Even your vegetables?”
Michael nodded. “All of them.”
“Then you do get two pieces. I’ll make sure they’re big ones.”
Michael beamed, throwing his arms around Reid’s neck and hugging him. My heart warmed, seeing the affection.
When Melissa and Timothy found out they couldn’t have kids, it had been a sad time for them. Then they decided to adopt and met Michael. He was three and was a sickly toddler, going from foster home to foster home. That changed once they decided he was going to be theirs. Given Reid’s history, he threw himself into helping Michael, and he was now a healthy child, always smiling and happy. Knowing he would legally be a part of this family was the best HEA I could think of for any child.
Never one to stay in place long, Michael jumped down, stopping to offer me his sticky lips. I bent, and he pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. “Lub you, Nana.”
“I love you,” I replied.
He high-fived Jordan and returned to his parents, who watched him with love.
I sighed. “So many good things.”
Reid leaned back, chuckling. “Did you hear what Liam’s boys did this week at school?”