Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 28062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
I scoot toward him, expecting us to just sleep closer, but he surprises me when he rolls onto his back and pulls me half on top of him. His legs go around mine, his arms wrap around my back, and when we’re settled, I swear he lets out the biggest sigh of contentment. I match his sigh. “Good night, Tuck.”
“Good night, honey.”
CHAPTER 9
TUCKER
As I walk through the house, I can hear Dolly and Ace talking and then Ace laughing. A smile forms on my face, and I stop at the entrance of the kitchen and just take it all in. Dolly checked on me every hour through the night, and if I wasn’t so exhausted, I would have taken complete advantage of the situation.
I love seeing Ace and Dolly laughing and talking. When Ace notices me from his seat at the island, he points at Dolly. “Dad, Dolly spent the night.”
I smile over at Dolly, and she blushes. I’m wondering if she’s thinking about last night and being in my arms. “Yeah, I know, son. She’s going to be around a lot. She’s going to be helping us around here.”
“Yes!” Ace pumps his hand in the air.
Dolly points to the chair. “How’s your head? Sit down and I’ll fix you some breakfast.”
I shake my head. “Nope, I appreciate everything you’re doing for us, but you’re not here to wait on either of us. Let me help.”
She puts another pancake on the stack. “Well, we can do dishes together afterwards. The food is ready.”
“Everyone want some OJ?”
“Yes!” Ace hollers, and I try to hide my wince but not well enough, it seems.
Dolly nudges Ace. “Remember, honey. Your dad hurt his head last night, and we gotta try to be a little quiet until he heals a little bit.”
Ace starts to whisper. “Oh yeah. I’m glad you’re okay, Dad, and I’m glad you’re going to spend the next few weeks at home.”
I reach over and ruffle his hair. “Me too, son.”
Dolly starts carrying everything over to the table, so Ace and I help her. I soak up every minute of sitting around the table, talking and laughing with the two of them.
We talk about the practice that Ace has later in the day and how much he’s loving the team. And I talk to Ace about the accident yesterday and try to explain to him that I had no business entering a barrel race.
When Dolly tries to clean up after we’re done eating, I tell her that Ace and I are going to take care of cleanup, so she nods her head. “Okay, you care if I take a shower before we head out to Ace’s practice?”
I nod my head. “Sure thing, honey. You can use my shower.”
We have two other showers in the house, but I like the idea of her using mine.
When she walks down the hall, Ace looks up at me. “You like her, don’t you, Dad?”
I put a hand on his shoulder. “You know I do, son. What about you? You like Dolly?”
He nods. “I love her, and I’m glad she’s going to be around here more.”
I nod. “Me too.”
My phone dings, and I pull it from my pocket. I groan as I read the thread of text messages I’ve missed. Jace wasn’t kidding. He outed me to the guys, and it seems now they’re having a field day discussing my life.
“Ace, go brush your teeth and get ready for practice.”
“Okay, Dad.” I hear him running up the stairs and then I look at my phone.
Walker: So how’s the barrel racer this morning?
Brody:
Walker: He obviously wasn’t thinking.
Jace: Guys, he’s probably still sleeping. I left him in Dolly’s capable hands. He’s probably milking his bruised ribs and headache.
Brody: She spent the night?
Jace: Yep.
Brody: I told that fucker he needed to tie that down.
I sigh and start typing. “First of all, I have a concussion, not a headache. Second of all, quit talking about me like I’m not here.”
I pause and then add another text. “Fuckers.”
Walker, Brody, and Jace are my best friends. We met because we’re all single dads—well, we were until the three of them all fell in love. We get together weekly to play poker, and it’s a good time to just hang out and relax.
Brody: Did you hook up?
Jace: I don’t think Dolly is someone you hook up with. She’s more a put a ring on it woman, I think.
I read the text and wait for the unease to settle in, but it doesn’t. I never thought I’d be ready to settle down, but with Dolly, I can totally see it happening.
“I’m taking this slow,” I tell them and then type out, “Anyway, I’m good. Two weeks of no driving and no bull riding.” I leave out the part where I have to go get rechecked.