Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I had no idea how to respond. She picked up a cookie. “Want some stories about when he was younger?”
That, I could get on board with. “Yes.”
Twenty minutes later, the elevator doors opened and Asher and AJ walked out. Asher stopped when he saw me and Suzy. Bonnie streaked across the room, her arms outstretched. “Uncle Ash!”
He bent, swinging her into his arms and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Oh, you’re cold!” she squealed. Laughing, he set her down, and AJ smiled at her.
“Hi. I’m AJ.”
“I’m Bonnie. I like your Legos.”
A commotion ensued as coats were discarded, boots kicked off, and the kids ran to the Legos. Asher came over, bending to kiss his sister.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” he said dryly.
“Obviously.”
He stood beside me, placing his hand on my shoulder. He squeezed it gently. “I promised AJ hot cocoa when we got home.”
“I’ll make it.”
“Great.”
I stood, and he stopped me moving, his hand still on my arm. He captured my mouth, kissing me hard. “Want me to throw her out? I will,” he said quietly. Suzy heard him, laughing behind her hand, knowing he was full of it.
“How rude,” I said. “I like her. And Bonnie.”
“We can keep Bonnie,” he insisted. “She and AJ can hang. But this one is gonna be full of questions and not so subtle suggestions.”
I patted his cheek. “We’ll be fine.”
He sighed. “Good thing her husband isn’t around. He encourages her.”
“James will be here in an hour. He wasn’t going to come up, but when I told him your woman was here, he was all for it. Then Rosie invited us to stay for dinner. She said Chinese was on the menu.”
“Dammit,” Asher muttered, hanging his head.
I tried not to grin. “It’ll all be fine, Captain Highliner.”
His eyes went wide, and he spun toward Suzy. “You told her that?”
She waggled her eyebrows.
“I was seven!” he exclaimed. “I thought he was a real fisherman with his own boat, and I wanted to be like him!”
I chuckled. “So sweet.”
He glared at Suzy. “No more stories.”
We laughed, and I headed to the kitchen. “Too late, Asher. She’s been here a while, and I got lots of dirt.”
He sat down, glowering. “Not fair. I need extra marshmallows now.” He sat up straighter. “And I have stuff I can tell about her too.”
They started to squabble, and I laughed as I filled the pot with milk for hot cocoa. I had a feeling I was going to be laughing a lot this afternoon.
Suzy hugged me. “You have my number. Call me, and we’ll get together.” She glanced over my shoulder with a wicked smile. “I have lots more stories about my brother.”
Asher stepped close, pulling me away from her. “She’s busy that day,” he said emphatically.
“We didn’t choose a date.”
“She’s busy every day,” he replied.
Suzy laughed, and James shook his head. “Give it up, Asher. They’ll get together one way or another.”
I hugged Bonnie goodbye. James was holding her, but she reached out and I couldn’t resist. She was a delightful child, and AJ liked her. They played well together and after dinner watched a movie as we sat around talking. It was obvious she adored Asher, and he felt the same about her. He and James had sat on the floor cross-legged with them and worked on the Lego blocks, acting like kids themselves. Asher was a natural with children, and the thought of seeing him with a baby did something to my ovaries. I kept thinking about his words from the morning.
“Maybe three.”
I had to avert my eyes when he glanced up, but his grin told me he knew exactly what I was thinking. He was thinking the same thing.
The elevator doors closed, and I looked down at AJ. “Time to get ready for bed.”
“Okay.” He scampered off, stopping at the edge of the living room. “I like it here, Momma. It’s warm and has lots of room. I like the people. Especially you, Asher.” Then he hurried away.
Asher wound his arm around my waist. “Do you like it here, Rosie?”
“It is lovely.”
“Can you see yourself living here?”
His words made me tremble. He spun me in his arms, looking down at me, his gaze gentle.
“What?” he asked tenderly. “It surprises you that I would ask?”
“It’s a big question.”
“Would you think about it?”
“Asher, we’re so new.”
“We’re so right. You fit me perfectly, Rosie. You and AJ. Look how easily you meshed with my sister and her family. How well suited we are. Eventually, we’re going to move forward.” He tilted his head. “My bed won’t fit in your place, so this is far more logical.” He lifted one eyebrow so I knew he was teasing.
“One step at a time,” I whispered. “I have to think of AJ. I can’t cause him upheaval twice.”
He frowned. “Twice?”
I drew in a deep breath. “In case it didn’t work out.”