Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“Good morning, Miss Greene. Look, my uncle Rush brought me today.”
Crosby smiles at my niece. “Good morning, Blakely. I can see that. Why don’t you put your things away and take your seat?”
“Okay. Bye, Uncle Rush. I love you.” She hugs my legs, and I’m barely able to pat her on the back before she races off.
“I love you too.” I watch as she does exactly as she was told, hangs her light jacket up in her cubby, and skips to her seat. Once she’s seated, I raise my gaze to Crosby, who is watching me. “Good to see you, Crosby,” I say the words softly to ensure none of her students overhear us.
“You too. How’s baby boy Kincaid?” she inquires.
“Beckham. They named him Beckham, and he’s perfect. I took the day off. I’m going back once I leave here and letting them get some sleep.”
“Someone new has dropped her off every day this week.”
“Have they all walked her in?”
“Yes, much to her annoyance. She claims she’s a big girl and can make it here on her own.” She laughs softly.
“Yeah, she tried that with me too, but I had a lot of motive to walk her to her room.”
“Really?”
“Of course. How can I keep my favorite uncle title if I don’t get to see her classroom or where she sits? Besides, I wanted to see you.”
“You wanted to see me?” she repeats my words as if she can’t comprehend what they mean, and I know that’s not the case.
“I was hoping to hear from you this week.”
“Was I supposed to reach out?” There’s a glint of mischief in her eyes.
“Yeah, I think you were. You should make it up to me.”
“You think so?”
“Yep. We should have dinner tonight.” I shoot my shot once again, hoping like hell this is the time that she finally says yes.
“I have plans. I’m sorry.”
“With who?” The question is out there, much more forcefully than I intended. “I mean, what are you doing?” I ask in a calmer tone.
“Alyssa, actually. She’s taking me to this bookstore she frequents in Harris. I guess Sterling was the one to find it and take her there.”
“Is Sterling going?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Is Alyssa not capable of taking a trip to Harris that’s what, twenty minutes from Willow River on her own?”
“No. I mean, yes, of course, she can. I just thought that if Sterling were going, I’d tag along to keep you from feeling like a third wheel. My brothers are needy assholes,” I whisper, “when it comes to their wives.”
“They’re not married yet,” she counters.
“You know what I mean.”
“It’s just the two of us, so no, I’m sorry, Rushton, but I can’t have dinner with you.”
“Uncle Rush, why are you still here?” I look down to find Blakely staring up at me.
“I was just talking to Miss Greene.” I kneel so we’re at eye level. “Have a good day, squirt. I’ll be here to pick you up after school.”
“Okay.” She gives me a big hug and once again skips off to find her seat.
I stand and smile at Crosby. “Tomorrow night?”
“I can’t. I have… papers to grade.”
“You teach kindergarten.”
“And?”
“You have to grade papers?”
“Yes. I am teaching the young minds of this community. Grading papers is part of my job description as a teacher.”
“No. That’s not what I meant. I just thought maybe you’d have time for dinner. You have to eat, right?”
“Thank you for the offer, Rushton, but I really can’t.” With that, she walks to the front of her class and commands the room.
I realize I’m just standing here like the wounded soul that I am from her turning me down yet again. I wave at Blakely and hightail it out of there. Once back in my truck, I can’t stop myself from sending a message this time.
Me: If you change your mind, you know how to reach me.
I hit Send before I can think better of it and point the truck toward Declan’s. I have nephew snuggles to cash in on.
“How was your day, sweetie?” Kennedy asks Blakely.
We’re sitting at their dining room table, having pizza that I picked up for dinner on my way home from picking Blakely up from school.
“It was fun. Jacob talked a lot, and Miss Crosby Greene had to put him in time out.”
“Oh, that’s not good.” Kennedy gives their daughter her undivided attention as if she’s invested in Jacob’s time out.
“I know. Then when he got to come back, he was being stubborn and wouldn’t talk at all.” Blakely sighs dramatically, and I look across the table at Declan. His grin matches my own.
“Well, he was just doing the right thing. Maybe his time out taught him a lesson?” Kennedy suggests.
“Maybe. Oh, know what else happened?” she asks.
“What?” all three adults say in the room at the same time. How can you not with this kid's enthusiasm for life?