Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 31777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
She’d lost track.
And it wasn’t just the cookies. It was the candy. And the icing.
The door to the bedroom suddenly opened and Gray walked in. “Maeve, have you seen . . .” he trailed off, shaking his head before getting out his phone and calling someone. “They’re here. In with Maeve.” He ended the call and gave Cat then Immy, a stern look. “Your men are looking for you.”
Oops.
“What have you naughty girls been up to?” Gray asked, walking closer. “Cookies? Did you eat some? You probably shouldn’t eat sugar if you’ve been vomiting.”
“No sugar?” Immy gaped at him. “Man, that’s harsh. Really harsh. It’s Christmas. It’s a time to eat as much sugar as you want!” She stood with a small groan, putting her hand on her belly. “Well, as much sugar as your stomach can handle. Excuse me, got to go. Maeve, Gray, good luck!”
She headed to her bedroom, walking straight to the bed and ignoring Jenner as he stopped playing his guitar.
“Immy?” he asked in concern as she climbed onto the bed and lay on her stomach. “What’s wrong?”
She didn’t reply. She didn’t want to lie, but she also didn’t want to tell him the truth.
“Immy? Talk to me,” Jenner said as he sat on the bed and rubbed her back. “What’s wrong?”
“I’d say that someone has eaten too much sugar,” Tobias said, walking into the room.
Cupcakes.
“Papa! No tattling.”
“How much have you eaten?” Jenner asked, rolling her over onto her back.
She bit back another groan. “Not that much.”
Tobias snorted.
Rude.
“Sit her up,” Tobias said. “I’ve got some water and bread to settle her stomach.”
Jenner helped her sit before he held a bottle of water to her lips. “Small sips.”
After drinking some water and taking a few bites of bread she began to feel better.
“Seems we’re going to have to keep a better eye on how much sugar she’s having,” Tobias said.
“My fault,” Jenner told him. “I should have been watching her.”
“I don’t need watching!” Immy protested. “And you can’t limit my sugar. It’s Christmas.”
“Do you want to feel sick and yucky on Christmas Day?” Jenner pointed out.
Unicorn poop. She really didn’t need him to be logical right now.
“No,” she grumbled.
“Then you need to slow down,” Tobias added. “We just want to look after you.”
Immy sighed. “I know, I’m sorry.” She climbed into Jenner’s lap and then held her hands out to Tobias, cuddling him close.
“We just love you, Cherry,” Tobias told her. “We want what is best for you.”
“I know, I love you guys too. I’m so happy we’re all here for Christmas.”
“Us too, baby girl.” Jenner kissed the top of her head. “This Christmas is going to be one to remember.”
17
MAEVE AND GRAY
Christmas Eve
Nerves were making her feel ill.
Maeve stared at the stick she’d just peed on and paced back and forth.
Gray reached out and grabbed hold of her, pulling her into him. “Whatever happens, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“But either way, you’re seeing a doctor as soon as possible.”
She sighed with a nod. “As long as it’s not the Surgeon. He is not going to deliver this baby.”
“I actually think he might have delivered a baby before.”
“Gray!” She glared up at him.
He chuckled. “I’m joking. The Surgeon isn’t an obstetrician. If you’re pregnant, you’re going to get expert help. That’s nonnegotiable.”
“And if I’m not pregnant?” she said in a small voice. She really didn’t know how to feel about that.
It wasn’t like they’d planned on having a baby . . . but now the idea had taken root. It was planted. A seed, a small dream, and if that dream was taken from her . . .
Well, she knew it was silly but she thought she’d be kind of devastated.
“If you’re not pregnant and you want a baby, then a baby is what you’ll get,” he told her in a soft, husky voice.
She buried her face in his chest as she wrapped her arms around him. “But what about you? If we’re not pregnant now will you want to try?”
Gray ran his hand up and down her back in soothing strokes. “A baby wasn’t on my radar.”
Maeve stiffened. She couldn’t have a baby if he wasn’t fully behind the idea.
“But now that we might be having one . . . like I said before I want this baby.”
Relief filled her and tears blurred her eyes.
“Hey, that was meant to make you happy,” he said, drawing back so he could stare down at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she replied huskily. “Nothing at all. I’m happy. Really happy.”
“Good.” Leaning down, he kissed her lightly.
And then the timer on his phone went off.
It was time . . .
18
FAITH AND REUBEN
Christmas Eve
The snow was growing thicker.
Faith studied it out the window of their hotel room. They’d woken up early this morning in the hopes of setting off to Wishingbone.
But the weather was looking terrible. Were they going to be stuck in this hotel for Christmas? This was awful.