Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 13595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
“It had better be before you knock her up,” he grumbles. “Do you like baseball?” He switches subjects just as fast as he flips through the channels. Cash stops when he finds a baseball game.
“I guess,” I tell him. Between college, the Marines, and helping to raise my two siblings, I didn’t have much time for sports.
“Oh, man.” He shakes his head. “We’ll have to work on converting you before the grandkids come.” Cash seems excited about the prospect of grandkids, and I’m more than happy to work on giving him a few. I just need to convince my girl we’re ready.
The evening flies by without any issues, and it’s time to go home before I know it. “I’d like to have you guys over for dinner when the boys can come, too.” Riley smiles and hugs her daughter. “I have to arrange it weeks ahead of time to fit it into their busy schedules.” She shakes her head.
“Sounds good,” Tia agrees. “Just let me know when you’re thinking about doing it and I’ll put it on our schedule.”
Out of the corner of my eyes, I watch Riley mouth “our schedule” to her husband.
“Yes, Mom.” Tia laughs. “Our schedule. We live together now, and I keep track of both of our schedules.”
“Oh, man.” Cash shakes his head. “You are so screwed.” He laughs. “If my daughter is anything like her mother, she’ll run your household like a drill sergeant. Take my advice and just let her have her way. It will make your life go a whole lot smoother.”
“Hey, mister.” Riley smacks him on his arm. “Don’t tell me you have complaints about the way I take care of you.”
“Not at all, little goddess.” Cash wraps his arms around his wife before leaning down to kiss her. “I’m just giving him advice on how to handle a sassy Jamison woman.”
“He’s a big boy,” Riley huffs. “I’m sure he’ll figure it out on his own.” It suddenly occurs to me that my girl comes by her tendency to argue with me naturally.
CHAPTER NINE
HAWK
A few weeks later, I’m dealing with more fall out from Bent’s retirement when Josh sticks his head in my office door. “Riley Jamison has been trying to call you. Your ringer must be turned off.”
I dig around and can’t find my fucking phone. “I can’t find it.” I slam my hand down on the desktop.
“Here, use mine while I go track yours.” Josh throws me his phone. “Riley’s number is the last one who called me.” I know Tia speaks to Josh frequently, but I had no idea her mother had his number.
I glance down and realize it’s Tia’s phone that called Josh last. I hit the button to return the call while my heart pounds away in my chest.
“Hello,” Riley answers.
“Where’s Tia?” I bark, unable to control the emotions tearing through me. “Is she okay?”
“Calm down, Hawk,” Riley orders me. “She’s going to be okay. We’re at the emergency room.”
“Text me the address. I’m on the way.” I rush out and shout orders to Josh, “Cancel all my meetings for today and tomorrow and let my siblings know I’m going to the hospital. And find me a goddamn phone.”
I don’t give him time to respond as I step into the waiting elevator. When I arrive at the hospital, I realize I don’t remember a moment of the ride over. Let her be okay has been playing on a constant loop through my mind, obliterating all other thoughts.
“I need to know where Tia Jamison is,” I growl to the front desk clerk. I’ve been biding my time over the last few weeks, trying to find the right moment to give Tia the engagement ring I bought the first week we met. Now, I’m ready to kick my own ass for waiting.
“Hawk.” Cash walks up and places his hand on my arm. “Come this way.”
“Is she okay?” I grab the front of his shirt. I don’t care if I look like a wimp.
“She’s going to be fine.” He smiles before grabbing me by the throat. As my back hits the cold hospital wall, I stare into his eyes and see rage building.
I wasn’t expecting that. “What the fuck?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” he roars and gives me a shake. “I told you not to knock up my daughter before you put your goddamn ring on her finger.”
As his words penetrate, I feel my knees buckle and my soon-to-be father-in-law holds me up so I don’t end up on my ass. He shoves me into a plastic waiting room chair and I collapse. “Thank you. No telling what kind of germs I’d find on the hospital linoleum floor.” I’m babbling like a moron, but I can’t stop myself.
“Cash.” Riley rushes over. “I told you not to hit him.” She smacks his shoulder.