Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
It had been tucked away in the back drawer of my desk. Hidden from prying eyes because my husband would have a fit if anyone else saw it. The one of us together in our bedroom was on the wall because his larger body shielded me, and that was our private space.
“Mama?” she asked again, her voice smaller this time. “Is this you?”
I crouched beside her and gently plucked the photo from her fingers. “Yes, baby. That’s me.”
“Were you sad?”
“No,” I said softly, brushing my fingers over the edge. “I was scared…but brave, too. I didn’t know it yet, but that picture helped me find something really important.”
“Daddy?” she asked with a toothy grin.
I smiled. “Good guess, sweetie.”
“You look pretty.” She leaned her head against my arm. “It should be on the wall, too.”
I kissed the top of her curls. “Daddy gets growly when people see me like that.”
“Like the noise he made when Mr. Marcus said you looked pretty in your new dress?” she asked innocently. “He sounded like a doggie.”
I nearly choked on a laugh. “Yes. Exactly like that.”
My office door creaked open, and that growl in question echoed across the space.
“She better not be touching that damn photo,” Callum muttered as he stepped in, our son right behind him.
“Too late,” I called sweetly.
Corey rolled his eyes. “You can’t say damn around Gwinnie, Dad.”
I barely bit back my laugh at him chiding his father over his language. He took his role as big brother very seriously.
Shaking my head, I slid the photo back into the drawer where it belonged.
Callum’s scowl softened when he saw Gwinnie beaming up at him.
“Hey, sunshine,” he murmured, scooping her up with ease.
“I found Mama’s secret picture,” she announced, proud as anything.
Callum shot me a look. “We talked about locking that drawer.”
“I thought I had,” I muttered, aiming a smile at Gwinnie. “Apparently, our daughter is smarter than both of us.”
“And me too,” Corey added, patting his sister on her head with a grin.
Callum sighed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before giving me one on my lips. “You’re lucky I love you.”
“Nuh-uh.” Corey shook his head. “You always say you’re the lucky one.”
“That I do, kiddo.” Callum arched a brow at our son. “But maybe you could cut your dad some slack.”
Corey narrowed his eyes. “Maybe I’d do that if I had a dirt bike.”
Callum jerked his thumb in my direction. “You gotta get your mom on board with that plan. Not me.”
Our son turned pleading eyes toward me, and I ruffled his hair as I noticed that he’d grown another half inch. “I suppose I can think about it.”
“I ride too,” Gwinnie shrieked, clapping her hands.
Callum and Corey stared at her with wide eyes, probably trying to figure out how they’d keep her off a dirt bike when she had an uncanny ability to get into just about everything.
My little angel had just bought me some more time and earned herself a special treat.