Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
“You’ve talked to Burt about this?”
He laughs. “Vaguely. Simmer down.”
“What’s with the two of you, anyway? You two are as thick as thieves.”
“What? I like him. He can be a little difficult, but he’s helpful. He helped me find the electrician for the house. Remember?”
I roll my eyes, more amused than annoyed, because Burt and I have worked out our own relationship. As long as I give him the space he needs and deserves, he gives me mine. It turns out that we’re a pretty good team when we communicate. Go figure.
“Fine,” I say. “Go on.”
“And Mom is over the moon about getting to have Ethan to herself for a while. I think she’s already been making a menu.”
I laugh. “I bet she has.”
He leans against the table and takes my hands in his. “So, what do you think?”
I think I’m so lucky that we found each other.
“Just tell me. I know you’ve already booked something,” I say. “I can tell.”
He chuckles. “Okay. Maybe.”
“Cole!” I laugh. “What did you do now?”
“We leave for Auckland in the morning.”
My jaw drops to the floor. He has to be kidding me. He remembered that?
Tears gather in the corners of my eyes. Of course he did.
“If you don’t want to go, we can cancel it all today and it’ll be fine. But I didn’t get to take you on a honeymoon, and I’m still kind of pissed about that. I want to get you to myself for a while. You can’t blame me.”
“For how long?”
“Nine days.” He bites his lip, searching my eyes. “Two of those are travel days. Plus, it’s only really five days away from work, given the weekends. Right?”
I nod, my heart swelling in my chest.
“Palmer, I just want to make all of your dreams come true. I want to give you the world—everything you’ve ever wanted, no matter how big or small.”
I get to my feet and walk to him. Cole pulls away from the table far enough for me to sit on his lap.
“So, no golf in the morning?” I ask.
He looks a bit sheepish at the question. But, before he can answer, I take his face in my hands and peer into his beautiful blue eyes—the ones that I hope our child gets—and smile.
“You are my dream come true, Cole Beck.”
He kisses me, locking his hands around my waist. Before he can deepen the kiss, the doorbell rings.
“Mom must be here to get Ethan,” he says, planting another kiss on my forehead.
“What if I’d said no?” I laugh. “I would’ve foiled all of your plans.”
Cole winks. “You weren’t saying no. I can be very persuasive.”
This is true.
I stand, Cole following behind me, and walk to the front door. Cole pulls it open to see Casey on the other side. She looks at her son, then me, then Cole again.
“I told her,” he says, smiling.
Casey squeals. “I’m so excited for the two of you. And for me. I’m also really excited for me.”
The sound of rollers on the hardwood rings through the house. I look over and find Ethan pulling a suitcase into the foyer. He has a smirk that reminds me of Cole’s earlier.
“You knew too?” I ask.
He laughs. “Everyone knew but you, Mom.”
Casey pulls me into a hug. “Have fun. Enjoy yourselves and don’t worry about us. I’ll take care of my grandson.”
Ethan hugs Cole and then me. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, kiddo.”
He pulls away and turns to Casey. “Let’s go, Gram! Pap said I could help him build a picnic table today.”
I can’t help it. I tear up. It could be the pregnancy hormones, but it’s really just an overwhelming gratitude that comes over me.
My kid has grandparents who adore him.
Casey waves over her shoulder, and then Cole shuts the door.
“I can’t believe you did all of this,” I say, the idea of flying to Auckland tomorrow just sinking in. “I need to pack. I don’t even know what I need. What do I need, Cole?”
He chuckles and pulls me into his chest. It’s his way of calming me down, bringing me back to the moment. And I love him for it.
“You need to bring yourself, your brand-new passport, and a smile. I got the rest,” he says.
Even though that’s not true—I’m totally going to have to pack—it is partially the truth.