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)
Home.
Home.
Home.
The hope of it echoed through me like a dream.
“That is if I’m ever able to get up off this floor after Nelly stuffed me full of the most delicious dinner I’ve ever eaten,” Theo said, patting his stomach and glancing at Nelly with a grin.
She waved him off. “It was nothin’.”
“My taste buds say otherwise,” he told her. “I’m going to have to return the favor soon since you’re constantly making meals that knock my socks off.”
“We know who’s knocking socks off.” She wagged her brows.
I rolled my eyes, deciding there was no use in reprimanding her. She was having far too much fun at my expense.
And I wasn’t mad.
I was…happy.
So happy I could hardly discern the emotion.
“Seriously, though, thank you,” Theo added.
“It’s been my pleasure,” Nelly said with emotion creeping into her voice. “Having a place to stay and helping to give it a semblance of home is exactly what I needed. I missed it. Shuffling around the kitchen cooking. And in my humble opinion, there aren’t a lot of things better than seeing our little Finn here bouncing around like it’s his favorite place in the world while our Piper gets to explore some of those dreams that have remained out of reach for far too long.”
Gratitude swelled.
For Nelly.
For this place.
For Theo.
“Think it’s time for everyone to nab a few dreams.” Sincerity wound into Theo’s voice.
“I not go night-night,” Finn peeped.
Theo chuckled. So low and warm and rumbly.
“What should we do then?”
Finn pointed his index finger at me. “Get Mommy!”
“You think we should get Mommy?”
Finn nodded emphatically.
Theo climbed to his feet with Finn in his arms, the man zooming him around, flying him through the living area before diving in my direction. He dipped him down and Finn grabbed my face in his precious hands. “We get you, Mommy!”
Theo’s gorgeous face beamed from behind him.
Love poured out.
So intense and real.
A wholeness that throbbed in the vacancy.
Theo stretched out his free hand and pulled me to my feet. He looped that arm around my waist and tugged me against him.
Eyes intense as he murmured, “Yeah, we got you.”
“He’s out,” Theo whispered where he leaned over Finn’s crib.
I paused in the doorway of the bathroom where I’d been getting ready for bed, pierced by the sight of Theo hovering over my son.
“He was pooped after all the wrestling you two did.” The quiet words skimmed through the dense air.
“And that sugar crash.” Theo quirked a soft brow as he straightened and took a step toward me. “I think Nelly is really taking the nesting thing to the extreme. The amount of Christmas goodies she baked today is wild.”
Affectionate, faint laughter rippled out of me. A reverent softness curved into my words. “She’s excited for Christmas. We haven’t had a real one in years.”
Theo eased forward. He looped an arm around my waist, and he slowly swayed me in the peaceful beat that pulsed between us. His deep voice barely broke the silence that hovered in the room. “Can’t believe I get to be the one to spend it with you.”
My brow creased in question. “You don’t have plans with your family?”
“That’s what you are, Piper. My family.” The words were shards that rolled from his throat.
Rough and penetrating.
He lifted my hand and threaded our fingers together, staring at the union for a beat before he turned back to look at me.
“Want to spend it with you, if that’s okay?” he asked.
Emotion wobbled.
Overwhelming and beautiful.
“I would like that. So much.”
“Usually spend Christmas night with them, though. Want you to be there for that, too.”
The reservations I felt since I came to Moonlit Ridge no longer held their influence. Still, the words were soggy. “That sounds wonderful.”
Theo kept swaying me. Holding me tight in the middle of the small, enclosed space. The steady pace of Finn’s breaths echoing against the walls mixed with the thunder of our hearts.
“Can’t stop thinking about what you said earlier…” Theo finally drew out.
I angled my head, not sure what he was referring to.
The hint of a smile tweaked his mouth. “About you liking my room better.”
“Well, it is pretty amazing.”
I’d honestly never stepped foot in a more gorgeous place.
“It’s even more amazing with you in it,” he murmured.
My pulse increased, and I let a little flirtiness wind into my tone. “I wouldn’t mind another visit.”
“I was thinking something a little more permanent.”
Confusion dented my brow. “What do you mean?”
Fervency deepened his features. “You staying in this cabin was only supposed to be temporary, but that’s not what you and I are meant to be. Want you to move in with me. Stay with me forever.”
Surprise jolted out of me on a rasp. “Theo.”
He spun me, and I had to stop a squeal of surprise when he pushed me back onto the bed.
He crawled up to hover over me.