Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“She does, Daddy,” Livie seconded, bringing the carnation to her nose. “It smells pretty. Bumble bees collect pollen from flowers to eat. Did you know that?” Her blue eyes landed on mine, waiting for my answer.
“I’ve heard something like that. Tell me more when we get in the car to go home.”
“Tell your dad thank you for the flowers,” Beau said, and in unison, they did. “Let’s go. We’re to walk the hall, ride the elevators down, and the nurses want to meet you four before we go outside. Be good and say thank you without me havin’ to tell you, okay?” Again with the unison yes, sir. “You can walk beside your dad, but don’t get in the way of his wheels. You’ll fall and he might too.”
“Maybe hold my hands as we go?” Carter asked, wiggling his finger for Liv and Ava’s small hands.
“Your muscles are still big, Paw,” Mia said, locking her legs around Beau’s waist. “You can carry me.” One less child to worry about losing their way.
“Let’s go before I change my mind and stay here with people who don’t talk about my belly size,” I said as the silent medical team member began pushing toward the door.
“Daddy, your voice is scratchy. It sounds funny.” Ava wrinkled her nose in distaste.
I couldn’t even keep from chuckling at her perfectly-timed delivery.
Beau grabbed our last bag in the room and started out. I loved watching him both coming and going. Although arousal wasn’t happening for me these days, I still appreciated his firm ass in a good pair of Wranglers.
Was I ever going to be the same again? It didn’t seem likely without a hell of a fight.
12: The Old Man
Beau
I was skeptical about this grand plan on the first evening Dash had come home from the hospital. Actually, I was sorely outnumbered in my rejection which didn’t technically mean anything to me, but with the way everyone rallied behind Dash, and he enjoyed being with friends and family at home, I let it ride.
Our living room was bursting at the seams with Scott, Lauren and all their brigade, Mom, Carter, Kailey, and my own clan including the dogs, minus West asleep upstairs, all crammed inside the nice-sized space like sardines. I shook the third round of Jiffy Pop popcorn over a stove burner as the microwave warmed another cup of Amelia’s chicken and rice soup for Dash.
Minced chicken pieces, brown rice, and finely-chopped assorted fresh vegetables. A nutritionally packed soup, designed to give Dash energy. Amelia had done her homework on Dash’s dietary needs. She used the same care with Dash as she used with the children. This was his third bowl.
“Paw, hurry. We wanna start the movie,” Ava said from her spot on the floor where the L-shaped sofa came together. Dash was stretched out there, covered with a thick blanket. Neither Amelia nor the kids wanted to leave his side, and honestly, I felt the same way.
“What else do we need? Juice boxes, beer?” I asked, distributing the popcorn to the group.
Scott raised his can and nodded.
“Paw, Daddy looks old like Pop-Pop,” Mia said. “But Gigi said we shouldn’t tell him.”
“Hey,” Carter, the pop-pop Mia mentioned, said, faux hurt in his tone.
“Pop-Pop.” Mia jumped up and launched herself at him, believing she’d hurt his feelings, giving Carter a tight hug. “You’re not old. You just look old with the wrinkles on your forehead and the gray in your hair,” she explained right in his face.
“Mia,” I said, not at all sure what to say to make this right.
Scott burst out with a hearty laugh. Dash gave a low-level chuckle too.
“Mia, I said you shouldn’t say things like that out loud to anyone, including Pop-Pop. Those things make people feel bad,” Mom explained.
Mia’s expression fell instantly, her entire focus shifted back to Carter. “I’m sorry.” Her palms went to his face, caressing all over. “Uncle Scott’s getting gray hair too. He’s not that old either.”
“My feelings aren’t hurt, sweet girl. Don’t worry. I understood what you meant,” Carter said, accepting Mia’s hug.
“Hey, my feelin’s are hurt,” Scott said boisterously. “I’m here for the movie and popcorn, not to get roasted by my goddaughter about bein’ as old as her pop-pop.” His funny outrage helped shift the spotlight off my girl. Carter put her on her feet, and she bolted the four or so steps to Dash, putting her crossed arms on his chest, staring at him.
“Daddy, I’m sorry. I was just telling the truth.”
“Kiss my cheek,” he said, smiling, and she did. “I’ll work on looking younger. I don’t want people to think I’m your paw’s dad.”
“Shoo, Mia, before you make it all worse,” I said, taking the seat beside Dash. Mia happily laughed and carefully dropped down on Duke, her pillow for the evening. My guy’s inner pride kept him from taking too much help, except from me, because I didn’t care how he argued against me. My sole goal was to get him back on his feet.