Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
She raised her brows as she turned from the refrigerator with a stick of butter and a bottle of cream.
From over the counter, she peered at Theo.
He still had Finn in his arms, though they’d moved over to the Christmas tree. Theo bounced and swayed my son as they inspected the ornaments, Finn babbling about each one, pointing his little finger at his favorites.
The twinkling lights glinted and glowed and cast them in the softest warmth.
My spirit throbbed at the sight.
My body did, too.
“Looks like she’s gearing up for another marathon,” Nelly mumbled.
“Nelly.”
She chuckled, though her expression was tender. “It’s okay for you to be happy, Piper. There is no need to reject it when you’ve already been given it.”
Emotion crested, and I looked at my grandmother. The truth dribbled out on a hushed admission. “I never expected to ever feel this way, Nelly. It’s like I’m going to burst every time I look at him.”
“That’s love, my sweet. It feels like you’re both shattering and becoming whole at the same time.”
Love.
I knew that’s what it was.
What burned and thrummed and chained us in the middle of the questions.
I dropped my voice lower. “I…the sense I was getting? The worry that Justin might have found us?”
Unease whipped through her being as she gave a tight nod.
“I was wrong. There was something else going on. A danger for another one of the residents.” I could trust Nelly, but I wouldn’t give her the full details until I received the clear from Theo that he was okay with me sharing it.
So, I kept it simple. “Theo took care of it, and I think…I think he will take care of us in the same way. We don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
A rush of air wheezed out of her. “You told him?”
Tentativeness wound with the resolution. “Some, but not everything. But I’m going to. I just need to figure out how to bring him into it.”
It was a lot to ask him to shoulder.
But he would.
The hope that had sprung promised that he would.
She peeked over at Theo then back at me. “He’ll hold it, Piper. I knew it the first time I saw him. From the second the light hit his face when he opened the door of your car. He’s your avenger and your savior.”
Hope brought moisture to the backs of my eyes. “I know.”
With Finn still in his arms, Theo suddenly spun around, and he ambled across the short distance with a curious grin playing all over his brutally handsome face.
Desire twisted my stomach.
Apparently, being ravaged by him twice in one day wasn’t enough.
“What are you two over here whispering about?” he asked.
“About how you had your wicked way with my granddaughter,” Nelly tossed out. Fully nonchalant.
“Nelly,” I admonished.
Did she have no filter?
Theo chuckled, and that dark, moonlit gaze jumped between us. “That so?”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed as she tossed the potatoes she’d cubed into a pot.
“Well, I hope you don’t mind too much because I plan on doing it over and over again.” Theo sent me a cocky smirk.
I nearly melted to the floor.
I wasn’t sure if it was out of embarrassment or the rush of need.
Laughter howled from Nelly, and she picked up the pot and carried it to the stove. “Knew you were the one,” she said as she turned the knob to bring the ring to life.
Theo looked directly at me, and the amusement drained away and bled into severity. “Yeah, I hope I’m the one.”
Christmas music played from the speakers, the lights cut low, easiness riding through the air. I sat angled in the corner of the couch, one leg drawn up under me and my elbow rested on the back cushion as I watched Theo play with Finn on the floor. Nelly had retired to the lounger to the side of them, her feet propped up, a slow smile on her face as she admired their antics.
“I got you!” Finn shouted as he jumped onto Theo’s back, wrapping his little arms around his neck and holding on tight.
“Ahhh,” Theo cried, carefully whipping around like he couldn’t break out of Finn’s hold. “What? That was a sneak attack! You came from out of nowhere. I didn’t even see you.”
Joyous laughter resounded from Finn. “I reawy fast wike Nowan.”
“You like that Nolan?” Theo asked. He cast me a soft smile as he reached around and pulled Finn onto his lap.
Finn stood between his legs, bopping his head the way he always did. “And Maci! I got to pway with kids.”
“It’s nice having friends, isn’t it, little man?”
“I go pway right now?”
Theo let go of a light chuckle. “Think it’s probably too late tonight since Maci and Nolan have school in the morning, but what do you say we go play with them this weekend?”
“I say yes.”
Warmth spread through me, those roots sinking way down deep.