Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
They were both Adlers now, the adoption complete and binding. We slowly went from Sammy and Cowboy to Mom and Dad. We didn’t push; it just happened naturally. Once they met Liv and Van, or Nan and Pops as they called them, they became more open, and one day at supper, it simply happened.
“It’s parents’ day next week at school,” Ally announced. “For both our classes.”
“Okay,” Sammy said, looking at me.
“Jake and I discussed it on the bus and decided Dad could go to his class and Mom could come to mine, if that’s okay?”
Sammy blinked. Tears filled her eyes, and she had to lift her glass of water before speaking. “Sure,” she agreed. “Sounds good, right, ah, Dad?”
“Sounds great,” I agreed, my voice thick.
“Is that okay?” Ally asked. “That we…” Her voice trailed off.
“It’s more than okay, Little Lady,” I answered. “We’d be honored.”
Ally smiled. “Good. We talked about it and decided our Mama and Papa would like it too. We like being your kids, so you should be our Mom and Dad. It only makes sense.”
I nodded. “Yep.”
And that was that.
I left the kids with the kittens and the horses and headed to the house. Inside, I smiled. Sammy had changed the interior, updating it while keeping its old-fashioned charm. I headed down the hall and stopped in the office doorway, leaning on the frame, staring at my wife. The woman who’d changed my life and made it better.
The office was organized now. No more piles or chaos. Sammy was far too methodical for that. She was busy typing on her computer, a cup of coffee at her elbow.
“I know you’re there, Cowboy. Stop staring.”
“Just looking at my sexy wife, wondering how to lure her away from her work and into my arms.”
She lifted her head, her rich brown eyes dancing. Her hair was longer, almost to her waist, and today she had it braided, the thick plait hanging over her shoulder. She smiled, sunshine and warmth, then stood, walking toward me. I pulled her close and bent down to kiss her, savoring her mouth underneath mine. I groaned as she wound her arms around my neck, deepening the kiss.
Moments passed as we said hello. I lifted my head, grinning. “Remind me to go away more often if that’s the greeting I get, Lady.”
“Wait until the kids are asleep, and I’ll show you how much I really missed you,” she murmured.
I grinned. “Then I’ll go and give them extra chores to wear them out.”
She laughed and snuggled close. “Everything good?”
“Yep. Scouted another area for camping and mended some boundary fences.”
“Good.”
“I hear we have a new family member.”
Sammy laughed. “Yes.”
“Jake hugged me when I got home. Felt like he grew again.”
Sammy sighed and drew back. “I think he did. His dad was your height, so I expect he’ll be tall too.”
“They’re growing up too fast. I feel old.”
“You don’t feel old to me, Cowboy.”
“Somehow when you’re close, I don’t.”
She slid her hand down my torso, cupping me. “In fact, you feel pretty, ah, hard.”
I groaned. “Lady, do you remember what happened last time we tried to have sex in the middle of the afternoon? Two kids ring a bell?”
She chuckled, leaning up to kiss my jaw. “But that time I hadn’t bribed Callie to keep them at the cookhouse with cake for an hour after you came home.”
In a second, I had her over my shoulder, carrying her to the bath. “An hour? Lady, get ready. You have no idea what’s about to happen.”
“Show me.”
I set her on her feet and cupped her face. “I love you.”
“I love you. But time is ticking. Less talk, more action, Cowboy.” Then she grinned. “And lock the door in case those old bones need a little more time.”
I was going to need more time, but it had nothing to do with my old bones. The boner in my pants was raring to go.
I tipped my hat as I flipped the lock.
“Yes, ma’am.”