Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Conversation stayed easy and light between them. She kept her questions sneaky on purpose, trying to coax full sentences out of Rose. “Rose, honey, when we go out to the garden after breakfast, do you want to plant the dahlias or the zinnias first? Pick one and tell me why.”
Rose chewed thoughtfully, her little brow furrowed in concentration. “Zinnias. They’re pretty colors and the butterflies like them.”
Sage’s heart did a happy little flip in her chest. She beamed at Rose so wide her cheeks hurt. “Perfect choice, sweetheart. Zinnias, it is!”
Each word Rose spoke felt like a tiny miracle, and Sage wanted to scoop her up and spin her around the kitchen, but she knew better than to overreact. Instead, she just smiled wider, the lovely warmth filling her chest.
After the dishes were cleared, the three of them headed out to the garden beside the house. The scent of turned earth and fresh-cut grass filled the air, and the sun warmed her shoulders. Grady had mentioned something about working with a temporary worker named Chet, but he lingered for a while, watching over them with that quiet, protective look in his eyes that always made her tummy flutter.
She knelt beside Rose in the dirt, her gloves way too big for her hands. Holding up two packets of seeds, she asked, “Okay, little gardener. Pink zinnias or yellow ones? You have to pick one and tell me why.”
Rose studied them very seriously, then pointed to the pink packet. “Pink. Because they match my favorite shirt.”
Sage laughed softly. “Pink it is. You’re getting really good at this, you know that?” If Sage’s heart swelled any more, it would be too big for her body.
She’s blooming right in front of me, faster than any flower, and I get to be here for every single petal.
Grady stood nearby, arms crossed over his broad chest, still watching them with that steady, intense gaze. As severe as his look was, it always came with a smile. Sage glanced at him, and her cheeks heated. Even when she was covered in dirt and wearing oversized gardening gloves, somehow, he made her feel pretty.
It took all she could do not to beg him to call her his good girl right then. But she knew that at this point, they had to be careful around Rose. If Rose felt that Sage was trying to replace her mother, there was no telling how she might respond. Sage focused on the flowers instead, but it was getting harder and harder not to throw herself in his arms and kiss him silly. In her heart, she knew she was deeply in love with him.
They worked together for almost an hour, Rose’s voice growing more confident with every decision. When they finished, Sage dusted dirt off her knees and stood. “You did such a wonderful job. How about after lunch, we drive into town and pick out a few more birdhouses? You can choose the blue one or the yellow one for the front porch.”
Rose’s eyes lit up. “Blue.”
Sage tapped the tip of her nose. “Words, sweetheart.”
Rose laughed, and it sounded like bells tinkling in the wind. Rose was beginning to laugh regularly, a sign of true progress. Turning to Grady, Sage saw the same pride and joy she felt fill his eyes.
“Blue,” Rose practically shouted. “I want the blue birdhouse, please.”
Grady wiped his hands on a bandana. “Sounds like my girls have plans. Turns out, so do I. Brad called and said the new chicks are ready.” He lifted Rose and swung her around to sit on his shoulders. Rose let out a squeal of pure glee. “Sage, what if I drop you off at the elementary school first so you can talk to Mrs. Hargrove about what Rosie needs to test into second grade this fall? Rosie and I will swing by the farm supply and grab those new chicks, then come back and pick you up. We can pick up the birdhouses on the way out of town.” He ran his heated gaze over Sage from head to toe. “You good with that, Wildfire?”
Sage’s chest tightened with something soft and fierce all at once. “More than good, Dad—um… I mean, boss.”
Grady glanced up at Rose who was looking at the birdhouses, but she hadn’t seemed to notice. It was one thing for Sage to call him Daddy when including Rosie. It was another to call him Daddy all on her own.
The drive into town was quiet but comfortable. Rose sat in the back with her coloring book, humming under her breath. Grady’s hand rested on Sage’s thigh the whole way, thumb stroking lazy circles that made her skin hum. Every so often, he’d glance over and give her that slow, knowing smile that promised all kinds of trouble later.
“Who are you texting?” Grady asked.