Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Dinner was cooking, the aroma mouthwatering. Evan was laughing and talking to one or more of the kids. I heard the sound of my daughter’s amusement and knew she was wherever Uncle E was. They were very close.
I followed the sounds to the kitchen, chuckling at the sight that met my eyes. Holly and the girls were making cookies, the dough in misshapen balls on cookie sheets. The girls were wearing aprons but were still covered in flour and sugar. Evan was sitting at the table, encouraging the baking, teasing and egging them on.
I leaned on the doorframe, waiting until someone noticed me. Mia was the first, her little face brightening as she saw me.
“Daddy!” she exclaimed, launching off the chair. I bent, holding out my arms, not caring about the flour and sugar, but thrilled at the sweetness that was all her. She covered my face with kisses and told me about her shopping trip.
“I got the best shoes, Daddy! They sparkle!”
Her joy could not be contained.
“My new favorite shirt has a unicorn on it.” Her eyes widened. “We found pink jeans! And hair ties to match!”
I laughed at her enthusiasm. “So you had a good day with Auntie Holly, Angela, and Hannah?”
“The best!”
I set her down on her feet. “Good.”
“Did you do the grocery shopping?”
I tapped her nose. “Yes. And I got us maple cookies. But compared to what’s going on here, they are a poor substitute.”
Holly laughed and came over, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “We had a great day, and the girls wanted to bake. Chocolate chip cookies seemed in order.”
“And I encouraged it,” Evan said from across the room, bouncing Brandon on his knee. I crossed the room and sat at the table, snagging a fresh cookie and sitting back, enjoying watching the girls.
Holly glanced my way. “You’re staying for dinner?” she asked, but it sounded more like a command.
“Well, I went grocery shopping, so we have food. But since it won’t taste anywhere near as good as yours, the answer is yes.”
“Great. You can look at all the stuff we bought.”
“Can’t wait.”
After dinner, the kids ran outside, and we followed, settling in chairs as we watched them play.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Holly mused. “The girls get along so well.”
“They do,” I agreed, sipping my coffee and having another fresh-made cookie.
“So, ah, do you have plans Friday night?” I asked casually.
“No,” Evan replied, laying his arm across the back of the swing he and Holly shared. “Why?”
“Any chance you could look after Mia? Maybe let her spend the night?”
Holly grinned. “Anytime. She is always welcome.”
Evan narrowed his eyes. “Where will you be? Some late work thing?”
I chuckled. “No. I have a date.”
Holly leaned forward. “With Amy?”
“Yes. We bumped into each other at the store and ended up having a quick lunch. I asked her out.”
Holly grinned, looking delighted. “Sure, we’ll keep Mia. Right, Evan?”
“Of course.”
Angela called for her mom, and Holly stood. “Don’t be gossiping without me.”
“We don’t gossip, woman,” Evan said.
“Whatever,” she muttered and hurried away to help Angela.
He turned to me. “Amy, eh?”
I leaned back, sipping my coffee. “Yes, Amy.”
“Holly noticed you talking to her at the last two barbecues. They’re great friends. Well, we both are, I suppose, but they’re pretty tight.” He leaned close, resting his arms on his thighs. “Amy’s really lovely. Kind and thoughtful. Sweet.” He grinned. “A bit of a free spirit.”
I chuckled. “She calls herself unconventional. I like it. She’s a breath of fresh air. So calm and natural.”
“Total opposite to Kelsey.”
I nodded. We both muttered “Thank God” at the same time and laughed.
“I’ve had enough drama from your sister to last a lifetime. Amy seems far more…normal, I’ll say.”
“She know about Kelsey?”
“Enough for now. It’s too soon. I haven’t taken her to dinner yet—I’m not dumping all that shit on her.”
Evan didn’t say anything for a moment, then he spoke. “I’m sorry for what my sister did to you and Mia, Simon. You’re a great guy, and you didn’t deserve to go through that. But I’m not sorry it brought you into our lives. You’ve become part of the family. Holly adores you and Mia. I feel as if I got a brother as well as a friend. So, even though you went through hell, I’m glad you’re here.”
I studied him. “I wouldn’t give up one moment of the shit I went through if it meant it brought me to this place and moment. Mia is worth everything I had to endure. She is my life. Getting the bonus of you and Holly and the kids? I consider myself a lucky man, Evan. A very lucky man.”
We shared a nod. A silent assurance we understood each other.
Then he winked. “Okay, let’s get you dating again. Where are you taking her?”
Friday afternoon, I shut down my laptop, glad to be done for the day. I sat back, turning in my chair, looking at the bright sky. I had found a great-sounding restaurant for dinner, and I’d checked out the tavern and planned to take Amy there afterward to listen to the live music.