Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 68735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Everyone called me that, and that was why it’d hurt so bad when Creole had stopped.
Speaking of Audi, she turned her face away and started to cry, looking for something that Week couldn’t offer her.
“On that note,” Week said. “I have to go. I’ll miss my flight.”
“Same,” Dad grumbled. “I can’t wait to make this move permanent.”
Dad and Telly were moving in together permanently, and Dad had two weeks left at his job on Dallas Fire before he made the switch to the fire station nearest Telly’s place.
They’d been doing the long-distance thing for all this time, and as of next month, they’d finally get to have each other full time.
I was sad that my dad wouldn’t be close, but I was happy that he’d finally have his happily ever after.
My mom was now in a state-funded home that saw to her needs as well as they could.
They had her in state-mandated therapy as well, this time with a doctor that actually knew what he was doing.
The last time I spoke with her, she was doing a lot better. She even admitted that she’d been wrong, and that she shouldn’t have gone into such a deep depression with another child at home.
I agreed and told her as much.
I wouldn’t ever be close to my mom again, but I did wish the best for her, and I didn’t want to see her suffer.
She’d never meet my children, though.
That was one line I’d never cross.
Dad jerked his head toward the door, and I pulled Audi out of Telly’s arms and handed her off to Creole, who was already lowering her shirt.
Week handed me Joy, and I walked into the hall with them to say goodbye.
It was Dad who said, “You hear that Goodwin’s body was found?”
My brows rose. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “Boater caught him on a trot line at the bottom of the lake.”
My grin was swift. “Bummer. I’d hoped he would stay sunk for a bit longer.”
Week popped me on the shoulder. “See y’all in a few weeks.”
People probably thought we were crazy, coming to Hawaii to have our girls, but we wanted them to know that they belonged in both states equally.
One day, this place would mean as much to them as it did to us.
“Love you, kid.” Dad pressed a kiss to my head. “Take care of your girls.”
“Always.”
“Is that my baby sister?” Lottie asked, gasping.
“This is Joy.” Creole was down on her knees introducing Lottie to our girls.
They may not be related by birth, but they sure would be raised as siblings.
All of the Truth Tellers members’ kids were close. But Lottie, Joy and Audi would share a very special bond.
“Who’s dat?” Lottie asked.
“This is Audi.” Gunner showed her.
“Wow!” She made huge eyes. “So pwetty!”
I rubbed the place right over my heart that ached.
This girl.
God, I loved her so much.
I bent down and picked her up, giving her a big hug. “Were you good for Daddy Gunner?”
“Daddy bout me ickens!”
I looked at Gunner, who had the decency to blush. “She asked. Goddamn. Don’t look at me like that.”
I laughed. “A horse is next, huh?”
Gunner shot me a look. “Don’t put any ideas in her head. You know I can’t say no.”
With Lottie in my arms, I watched my family meet my girls.
Joy was passed to Webber. Webber’s daughter was passed to Creole. Audi was passed to Copper. Copper’s son was passed to Gunner.
And for the first time in years, I found it easy to breathe.
“What’s with that look on your face?” my wife asked as she came up to stand beside me.
I looked down at the baby in her arms and said, “Just so fucking happy it hurts, baby.”
She leaned her head on my shoulder. “We deserve this, Audi.”
“Can’t call me that now,” I teased. “You’ll have to come up with a different nickname.”
Her eyes gleamed. “How about Hot Stuff?”
I shook my head. “Snookums?”
I sighed.
“Pretty boy?”
I shot her a look. “Okay, how about mine?”
Now that, I liked.