Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 11696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
Sometimes I wish Raegan would connect with Destiny more. Sure, they share a bedroom, and only have three years separating them, but the two couldn’t be more different. That’s on Raegan. She pushes everyone but Ronan away.
Nagging worry gnaws at my gut as I finish the laundry. I scoop up the basket and make my way to the back door of the big house. Reed assures me I have nothing to worry about, but he doesn’t see how Raegan moons over Ronan. One day, that adoration might turn into a crush.
And that can never happen.
I won’t allow it.
It’s probably hypocritical because of my and Reed’s relationship. He’s my father—the same father who read me stories way before I could read them myself, took me to my first day of kindergarten, and held me through my tears when my twin died. It’s not fair for me to forbid my children from loving each other in a way that goes beyond sibling love, knowing they’re in the same situation I was in when my own feelings changed for my father.
Secluded.
Alone.
Sheltered from people and the outside world.
Still, I won’t let it happen.
Thankfully, none of them have shown any interest in each other. Reed agrees the second one of them does, we’ll have to nip it in the bud. Atticus and Eve are just a few hours away and will let them come stay with them if need be.
I’m feeling frazzled by the time I deposit the laundry basket where it goes and head toward the kitchen. Ronan stands at the sink munching on an apple. His glasses are slightly askew, and his hair is messy. Such a cute kid. One day, he’ll find someone to appreciate how wonderful he is. Someone other than Raegan.
“Hey, Mom,” Ronan says, wiping his chin with the back of his hand. “What’s for dinner?”
Having six sons means someone is “starving” all the time. Usually, it’s Ryder or Kota. But today, it looks like Ronan is the hungry one.
“Here, take your brother, and I’ll get supper started,” I say, swiveling to offer him my back. “He may need a diaper change.”
Dawson squeals when he sees Ronan. The weight of my baby is soon lifted, and my aching shoulders thank me. I press a kiss to each of their foreheads before shedding the baby carrier and heading over to the pantry.
Our pantry is the best part of our house. Reed and I talked for hours when we planned out the build. My vision was for it to be huge—always filled with food to keep our family fed. The shelves are floor-to-ceiling, and it’s roomy. Everyday foods—like breads, produce, and snacks for the kids—are housed toward the front. Eggs, dried meats, filtered and bottled water, and all the excess stuff remains in the back. At the very back of the pantry is a door that leads outside and down to the root cellar, where we store potatoes, onions, turnips, carrots, and other fruits or vegetables.
Knowing there’s enough to keep everyone’s bellies filled through winter or slow game seasons is just one less thing I have to worry about.
I grab an armful of things I’ll need for supper and make my way back into the kitchen. Dawson has stolen Ronan’s apple and slobbers all over it as he attempts to eat it with his tiny teeth.
“It’s his now,” Ronan grumbles. “This kid drools a lot.”
I smile as I start peeling potatoes. “All you kids did at that age.”
We chatter, just the two of us, about everything from the chickens to the book Ronan is currently reading while Dawson sucks on the apple. He tells me a story of aliens and the strange world they live on. By the time he finishes regaling me, I have the potatoes boiling, and I’m pulling the fish fillets from the refrigerator.
“Hopefully Atticus thinks to bring us some baking soda,” I grumble as the stinky fish smell wafts over me. “Or more candles. I could use more candles.”
“I’m hoping he brings more books than last time,” Ronan says. “I went through the last stack way too fast.”
After I season the fish and slide the trays into the oven, I sit at the kitchen table for a quick rest. Ronan’s staring out the front window. I follow his gaze to where Raegan is chasing after Ryder, who clearly has something she wants. Those two just never stop.
“Had enough of those two today?” I ask, gesturing at the window.
Ronan laughs. “Nah, just missed seeing my momma.”
I smirk at him. He’s always been my sweet boy who knows what to say in every situation. I’m proud of the wonderful man he’s become.
“You excited to see Wild?” I arch a brow at him. “I know how much you adore him.”
His cheeks turn red, and he fidgets in his seat, absently playing with Dawson’s hair. “Yeah, he’s cool.”