Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
He points up, but I don’t look. Can’t look. Because his words … his words have slayed me.
“You’ve been doing pretty much everything a parent does for that little girl since school started. And she fucking adores you. I love our family, kitten. If Birdie wants to call you Mom, I have no issue with that at all because you’re ours, until the last star falls out of that sky.”
Our family. Nothing has ever sounded so wonderful.
I can’t look away from him at all.
“I love you so much, Bridger Blackwell.”
It’s been almost four months since the last time we were all at Ryan and Polly Wild’s house for the summer pool party. This time, the pool is closed for the year, and we’re all inside, in the biggest kitchen and dining room I’ve ever seen.
I needed just a minute to myself, so I walked over to the wall of glass that looks out to the mountains and the backyard, where the pool is.
So much has changed since I jumped into that godforsaken water that day. All the same people are here, but I don’t feel the same at all.
I’m bolder.
Stronger.
And so in love, I’m almost stupid with it. I knew coming home was the right thing, but I hadn’t expected to be this happy.
“Here you are,” Bee says as she links her arm with mine. “You okay, buddy?”
“Oh, yeah, I just needed a second to take a breath. Can you believe I jumped into that pool a few months ago?”
“No. It scared the shit out of all of us. Why, are you thinking of doing it again?”
“Absolutely not.” I shake my head with a laugh. “I think one swim a decade is good enough for me. I draw the line at bathtubs and showers.”
“Fair enough.” Bee sighs as she also looks outside. “The mountains are pretty today.”
“They’re pretty every day. Any sign of your mystery man?”
“Nah. He’s probably back in Scotland or England, or wherever he’s from. It’s fine. I’ve come to terms with it. I haven’t slut-shamed myself too badly over it.”
“There will be none of that.” I frown over at her. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know.” She chuckles. “I’m just being funny. I wouldn’t say no to a repeat, though. A girl could get addicted to that.”
“I know.” My smile is smug, and Bee giggles.
“He’s watching you right now, you know.”
“Your brother?”
“Better be my brother, or he’ll kill someone. Of course, my brother.”
I look over my shoulder, and sure enough. My man is standing with my brother, and they’re talking about something serious, if the looks on their faces are any indication.
“I wonder what they’re talking about,” I ask Bee.
“Might be cows, might be fire, might be marriage.” She shrugs, and my eyes bulge out of my head.
“Marriage?”
“Sure. For all intents and purposes, Holden is your dad, babe. If Bridger wants to marry you, he needs to talk to your brother.”
I hadn’t even thought about marriage. I mean, sure, someday, but it wasn’t really on my radar.
And we don’t know that that’s what they’re talking about now, so I need to cool my jets.
Just as we’re wrapping up, ready to head out, Bridger and Chase both get phone calls at the same time.
“We’ve gotta go, sweetheart,” Bridger says to me just as Chase looks up and nods to Summer. “I have to go to work.”
“What?” I frown up at him. “Why?”
“Because the goddamn ski resort is on fire.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
BRIDGER
“I’m so damn sorry.” I’ve got my girls in the truck, and we’re headed to the house in town. I need to drop them off and change into my uniform, grab my gear bag, and then meet my men up on the mountain. They’ll bring any tools that I need from the fire station. “We were supposed to spend our first Thanksgiving together, and—”
“Stop,” Dani says, reaching over to take my hand in hers. She lifts it to her lips and kisses me sweetly. “We’re fine. Aren’t we, Birdie?”
“We’re fine,” Birdie echoes, making me chuckle.
“Actually, Birdie, would you like to come over to the other house with me, and we’ll start packing? You can play in my makeup and stuff.”
“Yes! Can I try on the makeup, too?”
“Sure, why not.” Dani shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “It’s bath night anyway. It’ll wash off.”
I love how chill she is with Birdie. Dani’s not afraid of a mess and enjoys having fun with my girl.
It’s sexy as fuck.
“Do you think?” Dani whispers to me, and I nod my head, reading her mind.
“Probably.” Yeah, it’s probably the motherfucking arsonist.
“I wonder how bad it is,” she says.
“I should hear soon. I’m sorry, but it’s going to be a quick drop-off—”
“Hey, this isn’t my first rodeo with the chief,” Dani reminds me. “Stop feeling so guilty. This is your job. I’m not mad or disappointed or upset at you. I promise.”