Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Hudson straightened in his seat, suddenly looking younger and more uncertain. “What if they don’t like me?”
“Impossible. They’ll love you,” Seth said firmly. “You’re a Cooper. That’s all that matters to them.”
“But what if—”
“Hudson, I know this is scary. But they’re going to be so excited to meet you that you’ll probably get sick of the attention.”
That earned him a small smile. “Promise?”
“Promise.”
As they turned into the quiet neighborhood where Seth had grown up, he dragged in a deep breath. The charade had to start now. The three of them had a plan. Seth would control the narrative and handle all family interactions, managing what information got shared and when.
“Heavenly?” He bobbed his chin in the direction of her engagement ring.
Her face fell. Beck’s expression tightened. But she slipped the diamond off her finger and slowly handed it to Seth. He almost hated himself as he pocketed the ring and met her big blue eyes. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. I knew this was coming.”
“You’ll have it back soon.”
But they both knew that when she slipped it back on, his whole family would think she was merely engaged to him.
That reality brought down the mood in the car, except for Hudson who was too busy watching the suburbs fly past the windows.
Finally, the SUV slowed and turned into the familiar driveway of Seth’s childhood home—a white colonial with black shutters. It looked exactly like it had when he’d left here a few weeks back. The carefully maintained flower beds now sported mums instead of the colorful petunias. But the place had the same sense of warmth and permanence that had shaped his understanding of family and home.
“This is it,” Seth said, his voice coming out rougher than he’d intended.
The driver began unloading their bags from the back. Seth jumped out and caught movement behind the front windows—his family no doubt watching their arrival with the same mixture of excitement and anxiety he was feeling.
Hudson climbed out next, looking up at the house with curious eyes. Heavenly followed, smoothing her clothes and hair nervously. Beck emerged last, his expression settling into the carefully neutral mask he’d wear for the next four days.
Seth shouldered his bag, looking up at the house where he’d learned what it meant to be part of a family. Where he’d been taught that love was worth fighting for, even when it scared you.
Especially when it scared you.
“Ready?” he asked, looking at the three people who had become his world.
Heavenly straightened her shoulders. Beck nodded grimly.
Hudson took a deep breath and stepped closer to Seth’s side. “Ready.”
Seth started up the front walk, his heart hammering against his ribs. Before they even reached the front door, it flung open.
Cue the circus…
Seth barely had time to shoulder his duffel before the front door burst open.
“Seth!” His mom rushed out the front door, her face lit with pure joy. She threw her arms around him, squeezing tight enough to crack ribs before pulling back to study him. “Oh, honey, I’m so glad you’re all here.”
His mother’s gaze darted between Heavenly and Hudson, her expression shifting from delighted to stunned. As she zeroed in on Hudson with wide eyes, she pressed a hand to her heart.
“Oh, my goodness.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You look exactly like Seth when he was your age.”
Hudson shifted like he wasn’t sure what to make of his new grandmother’s attention, but she was already moving, pulling the teenager into a fierce hug, her voice cracking with emotion. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart. I’m so happy to meet you.”
Seth looked on, his throat tightening. His mom held Hudson as if he’d always belonged. Slowly, his son embraced her in return.
When they broke apart, she smiled brightly, then turned to Heavenly with open arms. “And you must be Heavenly. You’re even more beautiful than Seth’s photo.”
His girl returned the hug with a careful smile, and Seth understood. Not only was his mom a stranger, but Heavenly hadn’t had a maternal figure in her life in damn near a decade. And if there was one thing his mom exuded, it was maternal energy.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Cooper,” Heavenly said. “Thank you for having us.”
“Call me Grace, please. Besides, I’ll be Mrs. Mahoney in a few days.” His mother beamed, then turned to Beck with a welcoming expression and pulled him into a hug with a laugh. “I’m a hugger. And you must be Dr. Beckman. Any friend of Seth’s is welcome here. I’m glad you could join us.”
Surprise flickered across Beck’s face. He hadn’t expected warmth, much less immediate acceptance. Because he’d grown up with a family who rejected outsiders? Or because he was well aware that if Grace Cooper knew the truth, she wouldn’t be quite so welcoming?
Before Seth confessed all, he hoped Beck saw that the Coopers had big hearts, especially his mom. Because if they were all going to be family someday, Beck had to like them, too. If not…he could see some really awkward Thanksgiving dinners in their future.