Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“Knock-knock.” I wrap my knuckles on the wood door, pushing it open with my foot.
“Come in,” I hear gramps voice.
“Gramps, you’re giving us a hard time. Hell, if you wanted our attention, you could have asked for it.” We’re not strangers to this place. We both hate it like hell, and to keep us from being frequent flyers here, well, that means we take care of our regular doctor visits, Gramps more than me now that he’s getting older, but we both hold the other accountable.
“Damn pacemaker acted up right when I was going to give that damn sheriff a piece of my mind. I’d have loved to knock him off his high horse.” Gramps groans. He’s hooked up to a few monitors with the nurse standing off to the side, holding back her smile.
“He’ll be good as new. He will need to stay for a night or two. Today, we’ll get his tests done and make sure everything else is good. Tomorrow, we’ll get him on the schedule. Another night here to monitor the new pacemaker, and hopefully, he’ll be good to go home.”
“Come ‘ere, Carsynn, give me a hug.” Gramps opens an arm that isn’t hooked up to wires. I’m chopped liver again. My woman has her place with him. I’m not replaced; it’s like Gramps sees a piece of his own daughter, my mom, in her. I can see it, too. They’re both strong willed, independent, and to the core sweeter than honey.
“Gramps, you gave me a scare. I’m going to need a list of everything—medicine, hospitalizations, procedures. I could barely answer the paramedic’s questions,” she tells him before bending down to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Ah, you can have it, but once my ole ticker is fixed, I’ll be back to normal.”
“I’ll be back in a little while to move you to your room, Mr. McCoy,” the nurse tells Gramps, wrapping up what needs to be done before leaving.
“Thanks, we appreciate you taking care of him,” I tell her. My eyes watch as Gramps and Carsynn share a quiet conversation. I’m not privileged to what they’re talking. The two of them are lost in their own little world. I take a seat in the chair, taking my first deep breath since Denny came to the shop.
My eyes close, my head tips back and legs stretch out, crossing my ankles one over the other, while I wait on them to finish their discussion.
“You two go on home. No need staying with me. I’m going to watch some television and take my own nap,” I hear Gramps say. My head lifts.
“We’re not leaving you,” Carsynn says adamantly.
“Gabe, get your ass up, boyo. Come give me a hug and take your woman home. The two of you can come up tomorrow. Bring me some breakfast and entertain me then.” There’s no changing his mind. I’m up on my feet and make my way toward them.
“Come on, fairy, say your goodbyes. Gramps hates being in the hospital. The only attention he wants on him are the cute nurses.”
“You got that right. They can’t deny my charms.” We all laugh for a minute, but then the energy is zapped from Gramps, and Carsynn must see it because she’s relenting now.
“Love you, Gramps. You have your phone?” I bend down to hug him, the palm of his hand holding me for a minute.
“I’ve got my phone. You make her an honest woman and give me some great-grandbabies, you hear?” My eyes are lifted and on Carsynn. He’s not being as quiet as he thinks he is. Knowing Gramps, he probably said it loud enough on purpose.
“I’ll work on that.” I wink at my woman. A light flush colors her cheeks. We break apart, Carsynn gives Gramps another hug, and then we’re on our way out of the hospital room. He’s right about one thing: it’s time I make Carsynn an honest woman, but first, I’m going to do my best to start on her getting pregnant with our child.
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER
Gabe
“You want to try that, fairy? My cock in your ass?” We’re in the bathtub together, her back to my front. She’s got one leg on the ledge of the tub, book in her hand, reading to me about another regency era hero who takes the governess. He’s a widow turned rake, hired the governess, and now they’re falling for one another. I don’t always read with Carsynn, but she has no problem catching me up on the story, and when we have time like we do today, she’ll read me the spicy parts, usually blushing as she does, and I get to reap the rewards.
“Maybe, You might be too big.” Her hair is up in a bun, a few tendrils falling down, the heat and humidity from the bath causing them to curl more than normal.