Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“Finally a good reason to be shot,” Sawyer snarked from his bed. He gave her a thumbs-up. “You go, Teach. I’ll be here when the sappy stuff is over and you need an or…” He seemed to remember they weren’t alone. “Some more affection.”
Mel snorted and stepped back. “Sure, son. That’s what you’re talking about. You won’t be getting any affection for a while. You have to rest.”
Sawyer’s expression went beyond sad. “But I wasn’t shot in my dick.”
Wyatt seemed to think Sawyer was hysterical, and River and Lucy and the gang chose that moment to make their entrance complete with breakfast burritos and coffees and tons of stories about what it was like to grow up in Bliss.
Sabrina listened and dreamed of her own blissfully ever after.
Epilogue
Every citizen in Bliss loved Christmas a lot
Except for the misanthrope Sawyer, who did not
He didn’t believe in candies and treats or a tinseled-out tree
He thought Christmas cheer shouldn’t be given away for free
“Hey,” Sawyer said with a frown, looking up from his place by the fire. “I give nothing away for free, kids. Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean we throw capitalism in the trash.”
Nell stood. “I believe that is exactly what we’re supposed to do at Christmas time, Sawyer.”
Sabrina should have known this part of the annual town holiday celebration would go a bit wild. She’d planned to read the kids a Christmas story, but it turned out to be way more fun to write one herself.
“Well, I’ve got candy for every kid here,” Wyatt announced. He sat beside Sawyer, with Bella in between them. Wyatt was dressed for the festivities in a green and red sweater someone—likely Teeny—had embroidered with the words Happy Blissmas. There was a decent rendering of Maurice the Moose wearing a Santa cap. “And hopefully that will make everyone stop kicking me in the shins.”
Wyatt knew how to bribe a kid, though Sabrina noted Paige seemed to be reserving judgment.
“I think we should talk about your views of late-stage capitalism,” Nell challenged.
Max Harper groaned as he looked at the two cowboys across the room. “No, Nell. We don’t need to talk about economics. We need to talk about those two asshole cowboys Stef is letting stay out at his place. Does no one remember the chaos they caused a couple of years back?”
Stella snorted. She stood at the pie station. “Seriously? Are you talking about Shane and Bay?”
Max stood, nodding Stella’s way. “Damn straight. I’m talking about those two ass…cowboys who ogled my wife and tried to buy her for the night.”
“You know Rach was in on that,” his twin pointed out. “Besides, she’s not going anywhere since you knocked her up again. You know what you’re getting for Christmas? The old snip snip, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Max seemed to shrink back. “Well, it’s got to wait since Brooke’s here. My baby sister doesn’t need to hear talk about her brothers cutting off each other’s balls. It’s not family-like.”
Sawyer guffawed. “That’s right, Harper. Protect those balls.”
“Why is everyone talking about Daddy’s balls?” Paige asked. “Which ones? He’s got lots of sports balls.”
And it was time for her to take charge. Maybe a story wasn’t what they needed. Maybe a bit of exercise was required. “I think it’s time for a Christmas dance off.”
Sabrina got the music going, and the kiddos were happily dancing and spinning around and Charlie Hollister-Wright was intent on proving he had zero rhythm. Good thing he was cute.
Her sister brought her a mug of mulled wine. “I hear Nell was in charge of the entrée for tonight. Who thought that was a good idea?”
“You know it was mine. No one ever asks Nell to cook, and she’s pretty good. I hear her tofurkey is…edible,” Sabrina shot back, her eyes trailing to where her men were sitting. Michael Novack sat in the same general vicinity, and every now and then Sawyer would tip his beer Michael’s way or Michael would nod his.
They might be best friends now.
The Christmas season seemed to have put everyone in a good mood. Just yesterday she’d opened a Christmas card from Sawyer’s brother’s wife. It wasn’t more than a picture of his brother, wife, and their child gamely smiling at the camera, and she was almost certain his wife had sent it. She’d made note of the address and sent one of their own as well, detailing how Sawyer was doing.
It was a start, and no matter what happened, Sawyer had a family right here in Bliss.
“Don’t worry,” her sister admitted. “Van snuck in a ham, and I’m pretty sure Stella puts bacon in everything. I mean everything. Hey, I caught sight of those two cowboys Max is complaining about earlier. I don’t want to give him credit, but those two boys are trouble. I’m not sure if they’re in trouble, but they absolutely are trouble.” She winced. “If I had to bet, though, I’d definitely say they’re in trouble, too.”