Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
I blow out a breath, accepting my fate for the next six weeks. “Let me introduce you to my kids.”
7
LUCY
This has been the weirdest day ever. First, I show up to find the man I slept with last night is my new boss then I accuse him of being a pig that cheats on his wife. I don’t know why he still hired me, but I’m determined to do a good job.
The house is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. Flowing hardwood floors and an open concept give the space an airy feeling. There are toys littered everywhere and on the kitchen table is a partial grocery list along with bowls of half-eaten oatmeal.
In the corner of the kitchen, the washing machine is squealing loudly as it works, and the laundry basket is overflowing with dirty clothes. I’m not surprised by the chaos. My dad was a firefighter though he wasn’t a single parent like Lincoln.
“I’m going to get to that. Haven’t had a chance yet.” Lincoln indicates toward the washing machine.
I wave him off, feeling a little bit sad for him. His life must be hard but it’s obvious from the way he looks at his kids that he adores them. “My dad was a first responder. I know what it’s like.”
“Is he retired now?” Lincoln pauses to gather some of the trucks from the kitchen floor. He dumps them into the toy box in the living room as we thread our way around furniture and coloring books.
“He passed away on duty,” I answer, my throat tight like it always is when the topic gets brought up. He was my hero and one day, he was just gone. I gather up the coloring books into a neat pile.
Sadness flickers across his features. “Sorry to hear that.”
I gesture around the living room, needing to change the subject. I’ve never really talked with anyone about his death, and I definitely don’t want to start that discussion with this very sexy man. “It’s cozy in here.”
Above the fireplace are family pictures. Lincoln with a pretty blonde-haired woman on their wedding day then again with his arms wrapped around her at some exotic destination. She’s clearly pregnant but after that, there are no more photos of her. Just an exhausted looking Lincoln holding two very small babies in the hospital. He smiles in that photo but there’s so much pain in his gaze. He looks like a battle-weary soldier. My heart aches for what he must have gone through.
He picks up a pillow that has a smiley face drawn on it in marker and sets it on the couch. “My little decorators will be thrilled to hear you find our home cozy.”
“Where are they?”
“Probably in the bedroom. Lyla will be planning world domination and Leo will be right behind her with a marker, doing his best to help.” He shakes his head, but a smile is on his lips. “He’s the shy, sensitive one. He’d follow his sister anywhere. She’s…well, she’s me with blonde hair, which scares the hell out of me.”
I laugh at his description and his eyes sparkle. For just a moment, I remember how he looked at me in the hotel room right before he pushed into my body. I wish we could have a thousand more moments like that. But since we can’t, I force myself to look away from his gaze. “Which way to their room?”
As soon as I peek into the bedroom, I have to fight a laugh. Lyla is sitting on the top bunk bed with a beach towel wrapped around her shoulders. On her head is a tiara and she glares down at her younger brother. “To the jail. Bunny has been bad.”
There’s a sad-looking cardboard box in the corner that has bars drawn on it, and Leo looks like he’s about to beg for clemency for the stuffed animal.
“My Queen,” Lincoln enters and bows.
Lyla giggles. “Yes, Mr. Knight.”
“Bunny has not been bad!” Leo protests to his father. He’s definitely the sensitive one and he stomps his foot. “Bunny has the sads now.”
“Hmm…” Lincoln looks from his son who is clutching bunny tightly to his chest back to Lyla. “Maybe Bunny is sorry and needs a hug.”
Lyla eyes Bunny. She’s cute the way she’s taking this so seriously.
“It’s very much like a queen to offer mercy,” I add quietly from my place in the doorway. These three are the perfect little family. No wonder Lincoln wanted to rush home to be with them last night.
“Mercy,” she repeats the word before stage whispering to her father, “What is it, Daddy?”
“Mercy is when we forgive and hug someone rather than punish them,” he explains, his own tone gentle.
“Why?” She narrows her gaze suspiciously, like he’s giving her a trick answer. She’s definitely a little handful. But I love her strong spirit and spunk. No one is going to ever boss this girl around. She’ll stand her ground no matter what.