Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Huddie Poo
SERIOUSLY. Stop ignoring my texts and get your ass over here.
"Your brother again?" Reine asks, wrapping her hair in a towel.
“Yep. He's losing his mind." I smirk at her as we dress.
Outside, the morning sun glints off my truck. I open Reine's door, stealing a kiss as she climbs in. My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I leave it there. Hudson can survive Grams for the five minutes it takes to drive to the main house.
We barely park before Hudson yanks the front door open. He’s standing there, jaw tight, boots planted wide, and I can already tell he’s about two seconds from losing his mind. “About fucking time,” he growls, but there’s relief in his eyes when he sees I brought backup.
My wife squeezes my hand, and I wink at her as we walk up. “Sorry to keep you waiting, big brother. I thought you assured me you’d have no problem occupying a little old lady for one night?” I throw his words back at him, straight-faced.
My brother just glares at me. “She realized I have a channel that plays Wheel of Fortune twenty-four hours a day. Do you have any idea how many episodes we’ve watched since yesterday?”
I try not to laugh, but Reine totally loses it, snorting behind her hand. Grams pops up behind Hudson and waves us inside. “I had no idea you could watch any game show ever made any time you want.” She just about vibrates from happiness.
We barely step in the door when I hear a truck pull up in the driveway. Tanner barrels in the door like a tornado. “Is this the woman who Cole managed to corral?” He grins at Reine, then grabs her in a bear hug before she has time to brace herself. “Welcome to the family, darlin’.”
My jaw clenches tight enough to crack teeth as I wedge myself between them, my shoulder bumping Tanner back a step. The muscles in my forearms flex as my fists ball at my sides.
"Greedy asshole." Tanner's eyes dance with mischief as he glances past me to Reine. "He never was any good at sharing."
Heat crawls up my neck as I plant my palm square on his chest, pushing him back another inch. “And I’m not about to start now.” My other arm slides around Reine, pulling her against my side, where the scent of her soothes me.
Before Reine can catch her breath, the front door bangs open again. Maggie, Todd, and Silas all stroll in. Maggie pulls Reine in for a quick hug. "I’m so happy to finally meet you!"
“Happy to meet you, too.” Reine holds her own with my crazy family. She meets each member and, in turn, introduces them to Grams.
My girl handles the chaos like a pro. I can’t help but stare at the way she moves, all confidence and sass, and charms the socks off of all of my siblings. I thank my lucky fucking stars she’s mine.
That afternoon, we fire up the grill. Hudson insists on manning the steaks, but the rest of us aren’t about to let the chance slide by without giving him hell. Tanner starts it, obviously. “Watch out, Huddie Poo, don’t burn ‘em again—you know what happened last Fourth of July.”
Grams jumps in to take up for Hudson. “Leave Huddie alone,” she growls at Tanner. “He’s doing a stellar job manning the grill.” Fuck. I can’t believe my asshole brother actually won over Grams.
Reine stands beside me, blue eyes bright as she watches the mayhem. She fits right in, laughing her ass off when Tanner tells some filthy joke at Hudson’s expense. I wrap an arm tight around her waist, loving how sweet she feels pressed against me. My wife. My life. I’m not letting her go, not for anything. “I love you, Montana,” I murmur against her temple.
“I love you, too.” She leans back and laughs, and I swear my heart is seconds from exploding right out of my chest. I don’t even care that my entire family is watching; I grab the back of her head and kiss her right there in the goddamn backyard. My crazy siblings hoot and whistle. Tanner yells, “Get a room!” and Silas makes a gagging noise, but none of it matters. All I can think about is the taste of my wife’s mouth, the way she melts against me.
I pull back and pull her tight as I watch the chaos explode around us. Reine fits like she’s been here forever. Even Grams has found her people. She and my sister Maggie are already plotting, heads together, and I’m pretty sure I hear the words “bingo night” and “bourbon slushies” float over.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
REINE
Over the next few days, Cole shows me around Silver Spoon Falls, and I absolutely fall in love with the small Texas town.