Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
I head up the stairs of the front porch. With our home being over one hundred years old, there’s no attached garage. Amos thought about adding one, but in the end, it was cheaper to build a detached with a covered walkway to use during the colder months. As it is right now, we just park off to the side and leave our vehicles out in the elements. Well, my personal car is in the garage. Amos made sure of that. Even though he has no idea my reasoning behind using the farm truck, I can see it kills him not to ask questions, yet he knows if he pushes, I’ll resist.
I’m reaching for the knob to open the door when I hear laughter coming from the other side. It’s too high pitched to be Trey’s, which means it’s more than likely Case who’s inside with his uncle. I open the door, staying as quiet as a mouse, wanting to watch their interaction. Trey has been all about wanting to see me pregnant with his child and, well, I’d love to see what he’s like with Case when no one is around.
“Uncle Tree!” Case’s speech has been a topic amongst the Johnsons for a while now. He struggles with his words and how to say them, at least this is what Amos told me, basically warning me should I be around Case and notice an issue to please act like there’s nothing wrong. Apparently, from what my brother told me, Ryland battles with Case’s speech development. He has shouldered the blame and responsibility in thinking his son’s delay is because of something he did. Everyone has told him that’s bullshit, but he can’t shake it.
I creep inside further, making sure my keys don’t so much as jingle or I don’t randomly bump into a wall and ruin their time together. I’m awestruck, there’s no other way to explain it. Trey is lying on the ground, hands tucked behind his head, and he’s Case’s amusement park. There are blocks, trains, cars, and even some action figures every which way on the floor. A smile tugs on my lips. Case has a race car in his hand and he’s zooming the wheels all over Trey’s body. Seeing him with his nephew is incredible. He’s loving and patient with him, and while I don’t have a niece or a nephew, so I can’t say if I’d be the same way, but I’d like to think I would.
Trey lifts his head, nods my way, and I give him a little finger wave. I mouth I’m going to grab a quick shower. He mouths back the word okay, then his attention is back on Case. I’m going to have to tell him tonight what I’m doing with Genny. There’s only so much longer I can keep him from that part of my life. Plus, tonight, Case took the attention away from my dirty clothes. Tomorrow, that may not happen. I should really move, except I’m rooted to the spot when Trey picks Case up and flies him over his head, making all kinds of noises like an airplane. There’s lots of laughter inside these four walls, and I want that forever. Any doubt I could ever have since we’ve officially been back together is gone. Trey Johnson was put on this earth to love me and to be a father to our children. And I was made to love him and be the mother to our children. A seed of hope blooms in my lower belly. My hand goes there, wishing for a baby to grow there, and soon.
I reluctantly peel myself away from the two of them. Their chuckles echo throughout the house as I make my way down the hallway. I’m going to have to be quick if I want to get in on the interaction of playing with Case. I really need to talk to Genny about making our plans become a reality, and fast. I also know the minute Amos is back in Arrowleaf and back from his self-imposed vacation, Trey and I are going to have to talk to my brother. I don’t want him to find out about our relationship, plus my business, through secondhand information. As it is, so far, there are more people who know about us. Tallulah because Trey paid my vet bill. Case since he’s here at the house, and I know for a fact Trey won’t be able to not give the slightest hint that we're an us. Then there’s Ryland, who will either pick him up or Trey will bring him home, but there are a lot of toys in the house, so I’m pretty sure Ry dropped him off, which means he’ll surely pick him up. Yeah, I’d say we need to get our ducks in a row fast.