Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I notice that you wear these a lot,” he says after clearing his throat. “And I thought you might like them.”
“I can’t wait to get home and wear them,” I admit and lean in to kiss his bicep. “Thank you. I have a little something for you, too.”
“Wait,” he says with a smile. “There’s something else. Do you think that I’d just get you socks?”
Brady scoffs and lifts another box from under the tree, and I feel my eyes widen. This is a small box. Also red with a gold bow.
“Brady.”
“Take the gift, Abbi.” I look up and see him watching me with humor-filled hazel eyes, and I know that I can’t resist him.
Taking the box, I tear the paper and flip open the lid, and I’m pretty sure I just swallowed my tongue.
Twinkling up at me are a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings. Not simple studs. No, this cowboy bought me diamond studs with huge teardrops hanging from them.
My jaw drops, and then I close it again. I don’t know what the fuck to say.
“Brady.” It’s a whisper now. My lungs are having a hard time taking in air, and finally, Brady reaches over and takes my hand in his.
“I couldn’t pass them up,” he says, drawing my eyes back to his face. “Nothing could ever be as beautiful as you are, but these earrings are trying, and they’ll look fucking amazing on you.”
I bite my lip and brush a fingertip over the diamonds. “I can’t accept these.”
“Oh, you don’t want them?” Brady shrugs and tugs the box out of my hand, then starts to unfasten one from the black velvet. “Too fucking bad, Blue Eyes. They’re yours.”
He fastens them to my ears and then pulls back to admire them.
“Just as I thought.”
“What?”
He leans in and brushes his lips over my cheek, then presses his lips to my ear. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Heat floods through me, and I have to clear my throat before taking a deep breath.
“Thank you.” I lick my lips. “And I got you something, too.”
Leaning over, I snatch up a box from under the tree and pass it to Brady, who’s frowning at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“You didn’t have to get me a Christmas present.”
“That was my line. And after freaking diamond earrings, I’m glad I did get you something. Here, it’s small.”
He narrows his eyes at me and then rips the paper, opens the box, and smiles.
God, that smile melts me every time. It’s an arrow right to the heart.
“What is it?” Erin wants to know as she saunters in from the kitchen, where the others have been picking away at Christmas morning cinnamon rolls. “I want to know. She wouldn’t tell us.”
“It’s a leather bracelet,” he says. “With a silver bull head.”
Erin’s gaze meets mine, and I can see in her eyes that she knows. Hell, they all know that I’ve had a crush on Brady for a while. I don’t make a big deal out of it, but it is what it is.
And when I saw this, with the rugged leather strap, I knew that I had to get it for him.
“You could really put it on anything,” I reply. “Doesn’t have to be your wrist.”
He takes it out of the box and loops it around his wrist, admiring it.
“Thanks, Abs.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Whoa,” Erin says, rushing to me. “You weren’t wearing those earlier.”
I finger one of the earrings. “They’re from Brady.”
“Damn. Good job.” She high-fives Brady and then smiles softly at me. “You can wear those to the party next week.”
Oh, I already planned on it.
“I’ll be right back.”
Needing a minute, I stand, walk into the kitchen, and pour myself some juice. Millie, champagne bottle in hand, raises an eyebrow, and I nod, giving her the go-ahead to add it to my glass.
The kids run in through the back door, their cheeks flushed with happiness.
“It was awesome,” Holly says, and Daisy nods.
“I can go faster than both of them,” Johnny says.
“I didn’t fall down,” Daisy adds. “Not even once. I remembered how to ride, even though it’s not summer anymore.”
“Because you’re amazing,” I remind her and bend down to kiss her cheek. “I’m proud of you, baby.”
“Would you like a cinnamon roll?” Brady’s mom, Joy, asks the girls.
“Yes, please,” they say in unison.
“Grandma, can I please have some juice?” Daisy asks, and my eyes go wide.
“Daisy, her name—”
“No, ma’am,” Joy says, interrupting me. “I love being called Grandma. Nothing brings me more happiness than these kiddos, and Daisy is absolutely one of mine. Now, of course, you can have some juice. Come on, you can help me pour it.”
I have to take a long, slow breath as tears threaten.
I don’t know what I did to deserve being welcomed into this big, amazing family, and as I watch Joy with all three of the little kids, helping them get their breakfasts, I’m suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude.