Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Were y’all trying?” Kiera genuinely asks Knox.
He shakes his head and chuckles. “Hell no. But we weren’t preventin’ either.” He waggles his brows, and memories of him stealing my Brazilian nuts come to mind.
“Looks like we might need a triple baby shower between Ivy, Hadleigh, and me,” Kaitlyn admits, and I can tell she’s calmer.
“This is very true. Imma be a busy grandma next year. Can’t wait.” Kiera beams, happier than I’ve ever seen her.
“Might be time for us to retire, babe,” Jackson says. “We’ll have our kids and grandkids to run the place.”
“Maybe so.” Kiera laughs.
Kane’s cell phone rings. “Shit, we need to get to the barn. Looks like Old Man Wheeler is there to drop off his mare.”
“He’s early,” Knox grits out. “Sometimes I can’t stand punctual people.”
I chuckle, and we say our goodbyes. As I turn to follow Kaitlyn to the truck, Jackson calls me back.
“I’m going to respect Kaitlyn’s and your wishes, but if you hurt my daughter—”
“I’d never. Kaitlyn’s my best friend, and I only want the absolute best for her. I won’t say it was a mistake because I believe everything happens for a reason. But this is what she wants—what she’s always wanted.”
“You’re right. I know y’all said you’d raise the baby as friends and all that, but I can’t seem to understand why. You can’t tell me you aren’t in love with her.”
I blow out a breath, neither confirming nor denying. “Kaitlyn’s calling all the shots, sir. I’m just giving her what she wants.”
“Ahh.” He nods, then pats my shoulder. “She’ll come around.”
The horn blares, and we look toward my truck. Kaitlyn opens the door. “It’s hot!”
“Guess that’s my cue,” I tell Jackson, and he gives me a smile.
“Don’t mess with a mad pregnant woman. Take my advice on that one.” He snickers.
When I crank the truck, Kaitlyn faces me. “What’d my dad say?”
“He threatened me if I hurt you.”
She snorts. “I’d expect nothing less.”
“Me neither. Where to now?”
Kaitlyn sighs. “We have to go to Grandma’s house. If she finds out through the grapevine, we’re both dead.”
I chuckle. “Okay, okay. The last person I want on my bad side is Rose.”
On the way over, Kaitlyn chats about her family’s reaction. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
“Nah, they seemed very happy and excited.” Just like I’d hoped.
“They did! It’s a relief,” she admits. “Maybe I worried for nothing.”
“Maybe. Not like they were gonna blackball and ignore you. Your family loves you a lot.”
“They love you too,” she says. “I think they were happy to hear you’re the dad and not some random dude I met at a bar.”
“Even if it were, they’d still accept you and the baby, Kate. You’re lucky. That’s not something you should ever take for granted.”
“I don’t and won’t, BD.” She smirks.
We park in front of the big white farmhouse with the wraparound porch, and now I might be more anxious than before.
“You know she’s gonna expect a weddin’ too,” Kaitlyn warns when we get out of the truck and make our way up the steps.
“Oh, I’m well aware.” I reach forward and knock a few times.
“I’m comin’, I’m comin’.” I hear from the other side. “Takes an old woman some time to make it across this big house.”
Rose opens the thick wooden door and pushes the screen open. “Today must be my lucky day! C’mon in, kids.”
Kaitlyn gives her grandma a kiss on the cheek, and I plant one on the other, then she leads us to the living room. Her house is the epitome of a Southern grandma, with the quilts and crocheted afghans carefully placed on the back of the couch. Makes me feel right at home.
“I just made some chocolate chip pecan cookies. Y’all want some?”
“You know the answer is always yes,” Kaitlyn says. “I’ll come help.”
Kaitlyn follows her into the kitchen, and I hear them make small talk about the weather and the gossip Rose heard at church last weekend. A few minutes later, Rose walks in with a plate of cookies while Kaitlyn brings a platter with three large glasses of milk.
I take mine along with a few cookies. “They’re even still warm.”
As soon as I take a bite, I groan at how delicious it tastes. I swallow it down with the coldest milk I’ve ever had. “Best I’ve ever had,” I say around a mouthful.
Kaitlyn follows my lead and moans. “Grandma, these are so good.”
“I’ll have to give you the recipe later,” she says. “Now, why are y’all really here?”
Kaitlyn playfully gasps. “To visit my favorite grandma in the whole wide world.”
Rose tilts her head. “Might’ve been born in the mornin’, but I wasn’t born yesterday.”
I chuckle because it’s something I’ve heard her say several times.
“I wanted to tell you some news,” Kaitlyn finally says. “Before anyone else does.”