Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Well, I’m looking forward to all of that while I’m here.”
She points at me. “I’m going to wear you down, Scarlett Hatfield.”
This time it’s me who’s chuckling. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I wasn’t meant to be in one place for too long.” I don’t add that even my birth parents didn’t want me, I keep that locked up tight. I don’t know much about them. Just that they both signed away their rights. I never wanted to know. Jack and Tiffany Hatfield were my parents. They were the family that wanted me, and that was enough for me.
“Tomorrow. Six. I’ll text you my address.”
“Thank you, Palmer. I’m looking forward to a night of getting to know your family.”
“Is this where I should apologize?” She looks down at Remi and kisses the top of her head. “I have four single brothers-in-law. Archer and Ryder are pretty tame. Ryder is taken, kind of. It’s a long story. Archer is single, and so are the twins, Maverick and Merrick, the babies of the family. The twins will flirt with you and be over the top about it. So, yeah, I apologize in advance.”
“I can handle it,” I assure her. I don’t know how I manage to contain my smile at hearing that Archer is still single. In the back of my mind, I knew it was a possibility he’d met someone, which is why I hadn’t heard from him.
“Oh, I have no doubt. I just wanted you to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into.”
“I appreciate that.” I hold my hand out for Remi, and she grabs hold of my finger. “I’ll see you later, sweet girl.” I smile at her. She rests her head on her mommy’s shoulder but offers me a grin, showing off her two front teeth.
“I’ll get out of your hair. Do you have any more sessions scheduled for today?”
“Nothing on the books. I’m hoping to use the time to get some edits done.”
“Hopefully it will be a quiet last couple of hours for you.”
“If not, I can do it this weekend. It’s not like I have a banging social life.”
“Hey, this weekend you do.” She gives me a stern look, one I’m sure Remi will see many times in her lifetime. “You better not bail on me.”
“Yes, boss,” I tease.
“You’re going to fit in just fine,” she assures me. With a smile and a wave, she and Remi head back out the way they came in.
After filling up my water bottle, I settle in to work on some edits from today’s sessions. I think back to my tenth birthday when my parents bought me my first camera. I fell in love with capturing all the moments in our life. It became my passion. I’m lucky to be able to do what I love. I know my mom used to say, do what you love, and it will never feel like work. I guess I took that to heart. I’d like to think I’m honoring her memory and her advice by pursuing my dream and my love of photography.
That dream led me to Willow River. I went back and forth with my decision to sign a one-year employment contract, but I’m so glad I did. I have a feeling I’m never going to forget my time spent here in Willow River. Without a doubt, I’ll never forget the residents.
I smile when I think about Archer. As long as I live, I’ll never forget our night together. Best sex of my life, hands down, but it was more than just the sex. He was good to me and let me take control without question. Archer Kincaid is a sexy, gentle giant, and I can only hope that I get to spend more time with him while I’m here.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Archer
“Gimme.” I hold my arms out for my niece to steal her away from my brother. “Come to Uncle Archer,” I tell Remi. She giggles and reaches for me.
“I’ve been working a ton of hours and just want time with my daughter,” Brooks grumbles.
“Well, guess what? I’m two hours early. That means Remi and I are going to play and turn up one of those princess movies she loves way too loud, and you can go spend some time with your wife.”
His face lights up with a smile. “You were always my favorite brother,” he says, already moving down the hall to find his wife, Palmer.
“I’m going to tell the others that you said that!” I call after him. I bounce Remi in my arms. “Your daddy is silly.” I tickle her sides, and her baby girl giggles fill my heart.
Being one of nine Kincaid brothers means there is never a dull moment in our lives. Over the last few years, my brothers have been getting married and adding babies, expanding our family. I’m not the middle brother, but I’m not the youngest either. Ryder and the twins Maverick and Merrick are younger than me, and then we have Orrin, Declan, Brooks, Sterling, and Rushton, who are older than me. We’re all pretty much stair-stepped in age, and I try not to think about what that meant for my parents.