Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“Chester!” he said aloud and let out a loud laugh.
He’d kept the stuffed animal hidden beneath the covers when he was little and never let his siblings see. If any of his brothers had known he couldn’t sleep without it, he’d never hear the end of it.
He didn’t know how old he was when he’d parted ways with Chester, but his mother had kept him. And boy or girl, Jared would be passing it on to his child.
After he gave the thing a good washing.
He packed up the box again, knowing he’d be back as the baby grew, grabbed the alligator, and left the basement, suddenly needing to see Charlotte. She’d understand the emotional turmoil his father put him through and he needed her.
He texted, letting her know he wanted to stop by and she gave him the okay. She was starting to feel less tired, she’d told him, and felt able to stay awake a little later.
So, he headed over to see his girl. Even if she wasn’t ready to accept the proprietary feelings he had for her, he felt them nonetheless.
* * *
Charlie set her phone on the counter, surprised Jared had asked if he could come over to talk. He stopped by often but something about his request tipped her off to his distress.
She took a quick shower and dried her hair. Since she’d had the girls last week, Noah had them this week and she’d been in bed reading. Or trying to read. She’d had the interview at the museum today and it had gone exceptionally well. So well, that the woman in charge had offered her the position immediately, saying she was afraid of losing Charlie if they waited to talk to other candidates. Charlie didn’t tell her there was no one else banging down her door.
She did, however, mention her pregnancy. To her relief, it hadn’t been an issue and she’d accepted on the spot. She had a job and no one to tell. Leo was out of town for work. Her instinct had been to call Jared, but she knew how busy he was at the office and didn’t want to bother him. Or come to think of him as someone she could call to share news. It scared her, how much she wanted to rely on him.
By the time she’d finished getting ready, it was time for Jared to arrive. She put on a long, silk robe and waited. Despite knowing he was coming over, when the knock sounded on her door, she jumped, startled.
She pulled in a deep breath and walked over to let him in. She opened the door to find him looking more vulnerable than she’d ever seen him. His eyes were sad, she thought, and those lines furrowed between his brows.
“Hi,” she said softly. “Come on in.”
He stepped inside. “Hey.” His gaze dragged over her, lingering on her chest.
She glanced down at the low V she hadn’t realized had formed at the lapels of her robe, and knew she was blushing. “I took a shower before you got here. No makeup…” No clothes. What had she been thinking?
That she was comfortable around him, that’s what.
He chuckled. “You look beautiful with or without makeup.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. “Are you okay?” Not only did she want the focus off herself, she desperately wanted to know what was bothering him.
“Not really.” He ran a hand through his hair, then walked through the apartment and sat down on the sofa.
Instead of settling beside him, she plopped down on the stone cocktail table, their knees touching, and waited for him to explain.
“I went to see my father tonight and caught him smoking. I let him have it.”
She rubbed her hands on the soft material of her robe. “I’m sure he understood.”
He nodded. “He did once I explained I just wanted him to be proud of me because I didn’t know if my mother was.”
Her mouth parted in a silent O. “Jared,” she whispered. “You’re such a good, kind man. A solid one. You work hard and make sure your father doesn’t have to. You take care of the people in your life.” And she realized how lucky she was to be one of those people.
Not breaking eye contact, she continued. “You’ve stood up for me since the minute I told you I was pregnant. I couldn’t ask for a better father for my baby.” She took his hands and squeezed. “And if I know one thing for sure, it’s that your mother is so proud of you,” she assured him.
“That’s what my father said.”
“He’s right.” She was so touched he was sharing this hard truth with her, exposing his vulnerability. He was so strong and he didn’t even realize it.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something green.
“What is that?” she asked.