Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“Yay! We won, Pez!” Cammie yells excitedly, practically jumping up and down in Pez’s lap. I notice he’s got a firm hold on my granddaughter, though. He’s not about to let her get hurt. Yeah. He’s got it bad. Maybe Drew can help me push Pez towards Daphne. It’s worth mulling over.
“That we did, Pixie,” Pez replies as he helps steady the present in Cammie’s lap. “This one isn’t actually from me,” Pez says. “This one is from Papaw Sabre.”
My gut gets tight, because I know I failed here. Pez saved my ass and honestly, I owe him. That’s not the reason I want him with Daphne, but it’s a nice bonus just the same. It’d be good if this time I got a son-in-law I actually like and respect. I don’t think I’d feel quite so alone if I could go to Daphne’s for the holidays and feel comfortable. I never did with Dane here and his snooty-ass family. They didn’t want to be associated with a biker, and it showed. Perhaps it’s time I start digging deeper in the file I have on Dane. I made one when he and Daphne first got involved. I couldn’t find anything really bad, but there were signs. I stopped looking because he seemed to spoil Daphne, and my girl was happy. Now, though? Maybe I can get Pez’s help.
“Papaw you got me Olaf paper!” Cammie cheers. Well, I guess I know the name of the silly looking snowman now.
“It’s your favorite,” I guess.
She giggles. “I love Olaf!” I seemed to have guessed right. Yay me. I’ve been such a dick. Cammie starts digging into the present and once the wrapping comes off, she just stares at the box for a minute, as if she doesn’t really know what it is. You and me both, kiddo. Then, all at once her hands start slapping on the box. “It’s Olaf dance-off, Mama! Papaw got me Olaf dance-off!”
Olaf what? God, I hope that’s good.
“He sure did, baby,” Daphne says with a huge smile.
She practically shoves the present at her mom and jumps from Pez’s lap. She runs over to me, throwing her hands out. I pick her up at once and she hugs me tightly. “Thank you, Papaw. I wanted it so much!”
Fuck, the feeling of this child in my arms, hugging me the way she is, while calling me papaw, makes tears gather in my eyes. I can feel their sting. I don’t mind them though. I let them flow out unchecked. I just soak the moment up.
“I’m glad, baby. Papaw loves you,” I whisper, my chest feeling so tight that it hurts to breathe.
“Will you pway it with me?” she mumbles against me.
“Absolutely,” I say at once. I have no idea what it is, but I’d do anything for this kid. Absolutely anything.
Chapter 16
Daphne
I stare down at the plate I’m drying, but I’m not really seeing it. I’m mostly reliving the day. Despite Dane and Serena causing issues, it turned out to be a really great one. Mom left really early, but Dad is still in the family room, playing with Cammie. For the first time in a long time, I’m content.
“Your mom left pretty quickly,” Eli points out, getting my attention. I smile over at him.
“She always does. Still, she tries in her own way. Her husband doesn’t really like her visiting what he refers to as her life before him,” I laugh dryly.
“Sounds like a prince of a guy,” Eli mutters.
“That’s one way to describe him. Still, he’s good to Mom. She’s changed a lot, though. So, I can’t be sure she’s happy. I think she’s busy trying to make herself be what she thinks Nathan expects from her.”
“That sounds like a miserable life,” Eli points out.
“Tell me about it. It’s one that I tried to live with Dane. I guess I have Serena to thank for yanking me out of that nightmare—” No matter how much it hurt at the time.
“You have jack-shit to thank that bitch for,” he grumbles.
“Be still my heart. Is there a man alive that didn’t fall for Serena Aden’s charms?” I fake gasp, holding my hand over my heart.
“If by charms you mean her tits she kept trying to shove against me, then definitely.”
I lean against the counter, turning to face Eli and stare at him for a minute. He really is a beautiful man. He also has no idea how truly special he is. “Thank you for today, Eli. You really made not only Cammie’s day, but mine as well.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he grumbles, not really looking at me.
“Bullshit,” I grumble, making him laugh.
“Little ears, Skittles. Little ears.”
I roll my eyes. “She can’t hear me over her Papaw’s heavy breathing as he tries to dance on that damn dance mat.” Eli starts laughing and I find myself giggling. “Did you buy it for that reason?”