Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
I could almost feel the memories hovering like ghosts in the room. Vestiges of voices that still whispered and embraced.
My mother’s support and belief. The way she’d encouraged and whispered her faith into her children, gave us the confidence to pursue anything we wanted. The way she’d so patiently taught me everything I knew.
The love and hard work that she’d instilled.
A giggle that I recognized as my sister’s rolled from the kitchen. At the sound of us entering, she showed in the entryway, sipping from a mug of coffee. Her brown hair that was a shade lighter than mine was done in a long braid, and she smiled softly as we entered.
Kayden bounced on his toes. “Auntie Kaywa, I see you!”
Kayla let go of the softest laugh, so much affection in it that I could feel it travel through the air. “I see you, too, my sweet boy. I’ve been missing you.”
“I miss you!” He grinned that dimpled grin and pointed at her with his chubby finger. He started hopping her way, making froggy sounds as he went.
A giggle slipped from her, and she sent me a knowing smile just as our mother came to stand at her side, using a hand towel to dry her hands.
“Well, what do we have here?” Mom asked, forever playing along.
“I a fwoggy!”
“The cutest froggy I ever did see.”
Welcome covered her expression, her love for us so fervent it might as well have hung on the wall with the rest of the pictures.
Mom’s attention landed on me.
“Good morning. How are you today?”
Yeah, there was worry there, too. No question, my mother had picked up on the fact that I was distraught yesterday evening. I’d barely been able to eat, and I’d been fighting tears through the entire meal.
The difference one night could make.
“I’m feeling much better this morning. I guess I just needed a good night’s sleep.”
Okay, I’d slept all of two hours.
But I felt alive.
Awake.
Running on the remnants of Ryder’s touch.
“That’s good,” she said, though I could tell she was still appraising.
“We get bwekfast?” Kayden’s question distracted from whatever she’d been about to ask, and he patted his belly before he lifted his arms for Kayla to pick him up, bouncing on his knees like he was contemplating jumping into her arms. “Auntie hungee?”
She set her mug aside and picked him up. “Starving.”
“That’s good because it’s just about ready,” Mom said, still eyeing me.
I gave her a bright smile, praying I could keep my nerves settled and I wouldn’t slip and say something I couldn’t.
The scent of bacon wafted through the air, mixed with the aroma of dough and sugar and frosting—a smell that could only mean cinnamon rolls.
“Well, I’m definitely hungry,” I said.
“Since you ate three bites of your dinner last night, I can only imagine why.”
I waved her off as I treaded deeper into her house. “It’s been a long week and I was tired last night. I’m fine. Really.”
The door suddenly burst open behind me, and Cody came striding through.
Anxiety blistered across my flesh, reddening my neck and cheeks. There was no way to stop it.
God, could he see Ryder written all over me? Was it obvious I’d been taken time and time again last night? Loved up so right my knees were still knocking with the aftershocks?
Keep it cool, Dakota.
You’d think I’d never been kissed before.
But the truth was, I’d never been kissed like that.
“Mornin’, everyone.” He pulled the cap from his head and tossed it to the table next to the door.
“Little sister.” He pecked a kiss to my temple as he passed.
“Good morning.” Wow, I managed it without it shaking.
Go me.
He went for Kayla and Kayden, dropping a kiss to the crown of our younger sister’s head before he turned and did the same to Kayden’s cheek, though he made a raspberry when he did.
Kayden squealed. “I see you, Uncle.”
Cody ruffled a hand through his hair. “How could you miss me? I’m as big as this house,” he teased.
“I big,” Kayden told him, giving him two of those deep nods that always panged at the center of my chest.
Cody turned to our mom, and she yelped when he swept her off her feet and hugged her hard, swinging her around.
“What in the world, Cody?” She swatted at him, even though she was laughing as he set her back onto her feet.
“What, can’t I be excited to see my family this morning?”
“A little too excited if you ask me.” She tsked, completely a tease. “Don’t tell me you’ve been off getting yourself into trouble.”
“Who me?” He exaggerated it with one of his big grins.
I finally gathered myself and started the rest of the way across the room. “Cody’s always covered his guilt with those grins. He’s definitely been up to something.”
There.
Deflection.
If I put the attention on Cody, no one would be looking at me.