Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Hey, I’m as badass as they get,” I grumbled.
“Mm-hmm.” She smiled up at me. “And now you’re spoiling us rotten with this addition.”
I turned to glance at the partially built frame out behind the cottage. We were adding a third bedroom. We’d debated moving to a bigger house, but Rowan didn’t want to leave her grandmother’s cottage. Honestly, neither did I. This place held history and incredible memories. So I promised her I’d expand it, keep the roots, but grow the walls to fit our future.
“Gotta make room for our growing pack.” I wrapped an arm around her. “You deserve more than a nest of blankets on the floor and two kids piled in our bed.”
“I don’t know.” She grinned as she leaned her cheek against my chest again. “That nest came with some pretty great memories.”
I kissed her temple. “I’ll make you another one anytime you want.”
Rowan looked up, her eyes playful but soft. “Maybe Ellie should go to bed early tonight.”
I growled low in my throat, and she laughed and playfully smacked my chest before turning toward the yard.
Ellie was padding back toward us, tongue lolling out and snow stuck to her ears. Halfway to the porch, she shifted mid-trot—fur melting into skin and bones shortening. Then she stood, stark naked and grinning like the little mischief maker she was.
“Mama!” she shouted, arms wide.
Rowan moved down the steps with a blanket already in hand, wrapping her up in one smooth motion.
“I gave Daddy a snow hug,” Ellie mumbled, burrowing into her mother’s neck.
Rowan laughed. “That’s what that was, huh?”
“I tackled him and everything!”
“I saw that.” Rowan’s gaze found mine as she smoothed her fingers through Ellie’s wild curls. “You okay?”
“Bruised pride, mostly.” I shook my head sadly. “My ego never saw her coming.”
Ellie giggled and nestled closer to her mama, whose hazel-green eyes sparkled with amusement.
I stepped down and wrapped them both up in my arms, shielding them from the wind and resting my chin on Rowan’s head. Our little girl giggled between us, and Rowan’s hand curled over my ribs, just above my heart.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you more.”
“Nope,” she denied lightly. “Not possible.”
I pressed a kiss to her temple. “I’ll build another wing on this cottage just to prove it.”
“You already are, remember?”
“Then I’ll build one for each kid.”
Rowan tilted her head, smiling up at me, her eyes glowing with a familiar spark. “Better get to work then, Daddy Bear.”
With my arms full of my girls, another cub on the way, and our home growing right along with us—I couldn’t imagine anything better.