Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“Good morning,” he said softly, making his way into the room. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did,” I said, meeting him halfway and hugging him before we kissed quickly on the lips. “You?”
“I sleep like a baby when I’m home. I think it’s my bed, to be honest with you. It is so much more comfortable than the one back at the rental house.”
“Or,” I said over my shoulder, as I made my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. “It’s because you’re home. A familiar place that makes you feel safe.”
He was silent for a few moments before he said, “Nah, it’s my bed.”
I laughed. By the time I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put my hair up, Ladd was fast asleep on my bed.
“So it for sure isn’t the bed,” I whispered as I grabbed some clothes and headed back into the bathroom to change. I had picked out a pair of jeans and a cute Christmas sweater I’d bought on sale after Christmas last year. It had a moose on it with Christmas lights wrapped around its antlers. I slipped into my favorite pair of brown ankle boots and put a bit of mascara on before checking to see if Ladd was still asleep. When I peeked and saw him waking up, I leaned against the doorjamb.
He yawned and met my gaze. “I fell asleep.”
“You did. I think we can safely say it has nothing to do with your bed here.”
He chuckled and stood. Giving me a once-over, he reached for my hand and drew me to him. His hands cupped my face, and he gave me a proper kiss.
“Good morning, Viv.”
“Good morning, Ladd.”
“You look nice, by the way.”
I giggled. “I’m wearing jeans and a moose sweater.”
“And you look adorable. I’m one lucky son-of-a-bitch. Thank you for loving me.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and lifted onto my toes, brushing my lips against his. He growled and drew me closer, deepening the kiss.
“Oh, come on,” Mike griped. Ladd and I both turned to see him standing in the hallway. “I don’t want to see this first thing in the morning! I just threw up a little in my mouth.”
I blushed and took a few steps back as Ladd tossed his head back and laughed.
“Someday, Mikey, you’re going to fall in love.”
He screwed up his face. “You won’t catch me making out in Mom and Dad’s house, though.”
Taking my hand in his, Ladd guided us toward the door, stopping to raise a brow at his brother. “Care to place a bet?”
Mike rolled his eyes and headed down the hall. “Next time, shut the damn door.”
“Language, Michael!” Ladd yelled back, still laughing.
Once we got down to the kitchen, I was stunned by all the activity. Nellie and Lilith were both wearing aprons and moving around each other as they prepared what I was guessing was breakfast.
“It smells heavenly,” I said as I dropped Ladd’s hand and made my way toward them. “Anything I can do?”
Nellie motioned toward the oven. “Can you get the biscuits out? Once they cool, put them in that basket with the red and white towel.”
I did as Ladd’s mother directed. Then I caught a glimpse of Lilith stirring what looked like gravy as Nellie handed me a plate piled with bacon.
“Put this on the table, please, Vivianne. Then you can come back for the biscuits and the jam.” She pointed to four different jars of jam.
I grabbed the biscuits and the bacon. Since I’d been waitressing for years, I had no issue grabbing both, along with two jars of jam. This was nothing. I often carried six plates of food with no problems.
“You’re showing off,” Ladd said, grabbing the other two jars.
Before I knew it, we were all sitting down at the table. Everyone was passing plates of eggs, bacon, biscuits, potatoes, and fruit as conversations started in small groups. I glanced around at Ladd, his three brothers, his parents, and Lilith. It was a small family, but the amount of love was almost enough to make me cry.
Laughter rang out when Jason made a joke and Lilith threw a biscuit at him. David and Ladd argued about which hay to use to feed the cattle in the lower pasture, while Gus enjoyed a pile of eggs, looking like the happiest man in the world with his family all gathered around him.
Then Jason and Mike both asked Lilith about a proper gift to give a girl they both liked.
“You both like the same girl?” she asked.
“I liked her first,” Jason stated.
“I saw her first and pointed her out,” Mike muttered.
Lilith gave them a look. “Listen, boys, no girl is worth two brothers fighting over.”
“But she’s the most beautiful girl in the world,” Jason sighed.
“Oh brother,” Gus mumbled as Nellie tried not to laugh.