Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
He made another left onto an even narrower drive, barely enough room for one car to travel through. Massive pines and oaks lined it in their beauty. It opened up to a small clearing with a gorgeous cabin right next to the lake. “And this is Theo’s place and, of course, now Piper’s, too, since the man couldn’t keep his grubby paws off her.”
Cash’s voice was light.
“I can only imagine,” I said with a small laugh.
He turned to me. His expression had gone soft. “Funny how I never imagined I could be like them. That I could ever open my heart this way. Thought they all lost their damned minds. But I guess I have, too, Daisy, because God knows I’ve completely lost mine over you.”
“I thought I was always on your mind?” I let it come out a tease.
His chuckle was raw, and he reached out and palmed my cheek. “Wasn’t a day that went by that I wasn’t thinking about this sweet face and these beautiful eyes. You haunted me, Little Wallflower.”
He started to dip in when a commotion burst on the front porch. The door banged open and a herd of kids clambered out, their little voices carrying into the SUV.
“Mommy and my Mr. Cash! Did you get here?” Colin shouted.
“Mr. Big Gwumpy Giant!” Eva’s little voice filtered through, just as Nolan’s meshed with my children’s as he called, “Hi, Uncle and Auntie!”
My entire being clutched with affection.
They all ran up to the railing. Addy, Colin, Eva, and Nolan. Each gripping onto it and beaming their smiles in our direction. Little Finn came tottering out behind them, followed by Piper and Theo and an older woman I assumed was Piper’s grandmother.
Emotion gripped my spirit. A feeling of belonging that rushed in to overpower me.
“I never thought I would have this. Never thought I would meet a group of people who immediately made me feel as if I were accepted in a heartbeat. As if I could be myself. Safe and comfortable. I always thought it would only be me and my kids.”
Cash cast his attention their way. “And I guess I was always terrified of fully accepting their love and care. Afraid I didn’t deserve it. Afraid I would lose it.”
He turned his gaze back to me. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the fear. In the loss and the mistakes that will cloud and cover every portion of your psyche. Make you think you’re better off going it alone. But I won’t submit to it anymore, Daisy. I see what’s right in front of me.”
Love pressed full. Thick and sticky and beautiful. “I see you, too. I see you, and I don’t ever want to look away.”
He dove in then. Kissing me so tenderly and with so much passion that I felt as if I were going to rupture apart. A blooming of adoration and hope.
No longer did I want to hide.
No longer would I hide.
I would stand in the sun with Cash at my side.
He pulled back, and the slightest smile tweaked the edge of his mouth. “I feel you glowing, Little Wallflower.”
“How could I not after last night and this morning?”
His grin widened, and the shouting from the kids grew. “Come on, let’s go get those ragamuffins,” he said.
He pulled away and opened the door, and by the time I had mine open, he was there, helping me out. “Come on, wife.”
He threaded our fingers together and led me around the front of the SUV.
“Mommy!” Eva called.
“Mr. Cash!” Addy beamed at him while Colin jumped where he stood between his sisters. “I been missing you a whole lot, but we got a sleepover at the lake, and it’s like camping, and you know I really like campin’.”
“Can they stay forever?” Nolan asked.
All four of the kids shouted at us, all while Piper smirked from over the top of their heads. “Huh, looks like that fake wedding did the two of you some good.”
More redness, and I gnawed at the inside of my cheek. “It certainly did me good.”
“That’s right, it did.” Cash pressed the words into the side of my head.
Theo laughed from the porch, smirking down at Cash. “Told you, brother.”
“What can I say? Sometimes the light gets through when you try to shroud yourself in the dark.”
“Don’t I know it.” Theo tossed an arm over Piper’s shoulders and squeezed her tight.
A brilliant smile broke out on her face.
“How were they?” I asked.
“Angels,” she said with a little wink.
“See, Mom. I told you we were really good at following all the rules.” Colin climbed up onto the second rung of the railing as he said it.
“Watch yourself there, little man. Don’t want you falling and hitting your head.” A gentle warning filled Cash’s voice.
“I not bonk my head.” Finn peeked his adorable little face through the lower rungs.