Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
When we reached the table, Ainsley was up quickly, cleaning first her daughter, who did not want to be put down, and then scrubbing at the left shoulder of my navy pinstripe suit and right behind my neck.
“I’m so sorry,” she apologized, looking like she was about to cry. “But she saw you before either me or Jeff did, and just scrambled out of the seat, and now—”
“It’s fine,” I assured her. “It’s mashed potatoes, who cares. That’s what dry cleaning is for. It’s a suit, not some silk heirloom.”
She turned to Ash and offered him her hand. “Huge fan of yours.”
He took her hand in both of his. “Thank you.”
“Me too,” Jeff chimed in, joining us.
Ash shook his hand next and then met the kids—the boys had no clue who he was.
Gemma, who was now clean, wrapped her arms around my neck and put her head down, whispering to me.
“What did she say?” Jeff asked me.
“That you tried to make her eat a carrot. Carrots are for bunnies, not girls.”
“Of course,” he said, chuckling.
“Your daughter seems to like him,” Ash teased Ainsley.
“Well, that’s because he saved me, Gemma, and my baby earlier today. You’re a very lucky man.”
“Yes, ma’am, I know.”
Her sigh was long.
Once we sat down, Jeff offered to take his daughter, but her scream of outrage was loud. Some people cast disparaging looks, others of sympathy. Ainsley just looked at the table and didn’t even try to move her daughter.
“You can eat with one hand if someone cuts your meat,” Joey informed me.
“I can do that,” Ash offered.
He got a big smile in return.
“Stop being embarrassed,” Ash told Ainsley. “Your children are amazing, and anyway, who cares. As long as no one screams during the wedding vows, you’re good.”
“I follow you on Instagram,” she told him. “I knew you were a nice man with how well you take care of your rescue dog.”
“Thank you,” he said, smiling at her.
Apparently, they had brought the kids their meals early, so we got to eat with Ainsley and Jeff—after Ash cut up my chicken filet into manageable bites—share some wine, watch Taylor sleep, see the boys go pick their desserts from the table, and listen to Gemma snore. She was passed out on my shoulder.
“I have never seen her take to anyone like she has to you,” Ainsley told me. “I was shocked when you said you didn’t have kids of your own, but knowing now how many nieces and nephews you have, it makes sense.”
“How many do you have?” Ash asked me.
I told him about my sisters and their kids and how I was the baby whisperer.
“Really?”
“He is,” Jeff assured him and then explained how he and Ainsley had been separated and how she didn’t even have her stroller when she landed. “I wasn’t there to see the saving, but I heard it was epic.”
I really liked the way Ash was looking at me; it flushed my whole body with heat.
“I would still be crying on the floor if Cooper hadn’t been there.”
“Well,” Ash said, “I suspect he enjoyed spending time with you and your family as well.”
“I did,” I said, smiling at her. “It was a good start to the day.”
She shook her head. “You’re insane, but in a wonderful way.”
Ainsley and Ash figured out how they were related. She was the daughter of Coleman’s fifth wife, Judith, which made them half-siblings.
“I’m very excited to be related to you,” she told him. “Expect us for the holidays from now on.”
“I think that might be a lot of fun,” he assured her.
“Oh, you’re very charming,” she said with a sigh.
“Was your mother invited?” I asked her.
“She was, but she had no intention of coming,” she said, chuckling. “She has no desire to see any of the other wives, and more than anything, she didn’t want to see my grandmother.”
“Not a fan of Sophia?” Ash asked innocently. “But whyever not?”
I enjoyed seeing her wicked grin and gleaming eyes. “My mother hates my grandmother, and I can’t blame her. My mom doesn’t come from money, and that was always a sticking point. She was always made to feel less than.”
“Well, at least you’re legitimate,” Ash pointed out.
“I dunno if that’s such a great thing in this family, though I do appreciate knowing that should Joey or Timothy want to, there’s money for college, and if not, money to help fund whatever their dream happens to be a few years later. That way we only need to save for Gemma and Taylor.”
“Actually, I signed off on Taylor’s trust just a couple of weeks ago,” Ash said. “And Gemma has one too.”
She appeared startled. “What?”
“What?” he repeated.
“No, you did not.”
“Yes, I did,” he said, looking at her oddly. “Coleman Walder’s blood runs through their veins, he was their grandfather, so yeah, they get a trust fund.”