Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Boxes were stacked against every wall, newspapers covered most of the floor, and somewhere beneath all the broken-down cardboard was our new sofa and recliner. We still had a long way to go, but standing there in the mess of it all, I couldn’t help but smile.
We were finally home.
Brooke was in the kitchen, putting away the last of the dishes, and was quietly humming to herself as I started breaking down all the boxes she tossed on the floor. I was actually starting to get somewhere when I heard a truck pull into the drive. I walked over to the window and spotted Ryan getting out of his truck.
“We’ve got company.”
“Oh?” Brooke looked up and smiled. “Who is it?”
“Ryan.”
“Really?” Her smile faded, and her brows furrowed as she started over to me. “Wonder what he’s doing here?”
“Only one way to find out.”
I opened the door, and we both stood on the porch, watching as he pulled a couple of boxes from the backseat. His face was void of expression as he started toward us. “Nice place.”
“Thanks. We’re still trying to get settled in.” Brooke stepped forward. “It’s good to see you… I didn’t know you were coming by.”
“I didn’t either.” Ryan lifted the plastic tote. “Found these in the back closet. It’s some old jackets and Anslee’s play kitchen.”
“I wondered where those went.”
“I figured you’d want them.”
“I do. Thanks for bringing them by.”
“No problem.”
I stepped forward and took the boxes from his hands, then turned and slipped them inside. When I turned back, I asked, “You wanna come in for a bit?”
“You don’t mind?”
“Of course not.” I stepped back and motioned him inside. “I’m sure Anslee would be tickled to see ya.”
“Thanks.” He gave me a grateful nod. “I’d really like to see her, too.”
He stepped through the door and over several of the broken-down boxes. Brooke closed the door and rushed over to push them out of the way. “It’s a work in progress.”
“I get it.” He gave her a smirk. “I know how much stuff you had.”
“Hey, it’s not all mine.”
“It’s mostly yours,” I teased.
“Yeah,” Brooke fussed. “Don’t you two go ganging up on me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Ryan chuckled.
Ryan spotted a pair of Anslee’s shoes on the floor, and his breath hitched. Seconds later, she came around the kitchen cabinets and shrieked, “Ry-an!”
She ran straight to him and held up her wooden spoon, showing it off proudly. Playing along, Ryan scooped her up and said, “Wow. Look at what you got!”
Brooke looked at them and smiled, then glanced over at me, making sure I was good with it. And I was. Ryan had given me no reason to feel otherwise. Besides, Anslee loved the guy, and there was no way I was going to be the one who stood in the way of her getting to spend some time with him.
“I’ve missed you, Lee Bug.” Anslee rewarded his confession with a smack with the wooden spoon. “Missed your rough housing, too. You’re fierce with your kitchen aids.”
“She learned that from you,” Brooke poked.
“You still have too much stuff.” Ryan gave her a look. “But I never minded it… actually kind of miss it.”
“We’ve missed you, too.” Brooke gave him a warm smile. “You should come have dinner with us soon… Once we finish all the unpacking.”
“I’d like that.” He looked back down at Anslee as he said, “I guess I better let you guys get back to it.”
“I’m really glad you stopped by.”
“Me, too.” He lowered Anslee to the floor and kissed her on top of her head. “Be good for your momma, okay?”
Not realizing it might be a while before she saw him again, she toddled back to the kitchen and started playing with the spoons Brooke laid out for her. Ryan stood there for a moment, looking like he wasn’t sure about his next move.
So, Brooke made it for him. She walked over and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. “Thank you… for everything.”
He gave her a quick hug back, then turned and started for the door. I followed him and opened the door. “Look forward to that dinner.”
“Me, too.” He looked me in the eye as he said, “Take care of them.”
“With everything I’ve got.”
He gave me a nod, then quietly walked out. I closed the door behind him, and Brooke immediately said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being so nice to him.”
“Got no reason not to be nice.” I stepped over to her and kissed her softly before saying, “He means something to you and Anslee, so he means something to me. Simple as that.”
“You’re the best.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I gave her a light slap on the ass. “Now, get back in there and finish putting away all your stuff.”
“It’s our stuff.” She gave me a playful shove. “And I need to figure out something for dinner.”