Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
“Good morning, ladies,” I say, coming into the dining room. My girls are already sitting down at a table. March has a coffee, and Junie has apple juice in front of her. Their bags are sitting next to the table on the floor. “I’ll take the bags out to the truck.”
“Morning, Josh,” Junie says. “I’m having bacon.”
“Sounds good,” I say, smiling at her.
“Thank you,” March says, sliding me her keys. “Coffee?”
“Yes. Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
I get back to the table and order pancakes and bacon. When I’m finished, my phone rings. “I’ve got to take this,” I say.
“Of course, can’t let your girlfriend wait on you,” she quips. I just shake my head in disgust, unable to dignify that with an answer. How could she possibly think I’d ever put my dick anywhere but inside her? The idea of that just makes me fucking sick.
I have just hung up the phone when I feel a tiny hand slip into mine. I look down and see Juniper. I smile. Today, she has little butterfly clips in her blonde hair and a pair of overalls on. Have I mentioned that she’s literally the most adorable child I’ve ever seen? The more I look at her, the more I know that she’s mine.
“Hi, Josh,” she says.
“Hi, Junie.”
“Mommy is turning her key in.”
“Okay.”
“She said I could stand by you and wait and that I should be good.”
“Okay that’s probably a good idea.”
“My mom doesn’t like you very much, Josh. Do you know that?”
“I know that.”
“Do you know why?”
“No. Do you?”
“No.”
“You ready, baby?”
“Yes,” Junie and I say at the same time, and then we laugh. March smiles at Junie and glares at me. It's worth it.
We drive to another random house. This time in Salt Lake City.
Really? What the hell is this all about?
I need answers, and I need them now.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
MARCH
“Mommy, are we going to another house?” Junie asks, slouching her shoulders like she does when she is not getting her way. We are currently in Salt Lake, Utah, on our way to Wyoming.
“Not after this one, baby. But I promise this is the last stop before we get your Grandpa. Okay?” That makes her perk right up, which is a little insulting. Just a little.
I reach out and ring that bell. Within seconds, a beautiful woman answers. “Hello. Can I help you?” she asks, fluffing her hair.
“Yes. I am looking for Phillip Turner.” I see sadness flit across her eyes, and just as quick as it comes, it is gone.
“I’m sorry darling. Phillip is currently deployed.” The shock on my face must show because she chuckles and nods her head. “I know. Men his age are usually retired but my husband is a career man. May I ask what you are looking for him about?”
“Yes, of course. I was wondering if maybe he donated… right before he enlisted.” She looks at me quizzically before smiling and nodding her head knowingly.
“Ah, I see. Well, darling, unfortunately, my husband is sterile. He found out long before he met me. Some genetic thing or another. We tried everything, but in the end, no babies. It is just him and I. Well, when he is home.” Well, now I feel horrible.
“I am so sorry to have bothered you,” I say before grabbing Junie and walking back to the car.
“Mom what’s ster..stera?” I almost giggle at her attempt to say sterile but I am more concerned about her mentioning it in front of Josh.
“Nothing for you to worry about right now, baby. Just…”
“I know. Don't say anything in front of Josh.” She cuts me off like I am being ridiculous, and for a moment, I feel like she cut me off and threw my words back at me.
We get back to the car and I can see the question lingering on his tongue, among other things, but I ignore his inquisitive gaze, especially since it reminds me of Junie’s when she is like that. “Alright baby girl. Are you ready to go see great grandpa?” I ask, hyping her up.
“Yes!” she says, squealing. Starting up the car, I begin driving when Junie speaks. “Mom, I want my playlist.” Shit. Looking at Joshua, I squint my eyes and give him a pitiful face.
“I apologize,” I say before I hit play, and “Let It Go” blares through my car radio. I watch out of the corner of my eye when his hand goes to his mouth so he can hide his laugh, which makes me smile.
“Mommy, aren’t you going to sing it with me?” This damn girl.
“Double sorry,” I tell him before I start screaming about how the cold doesn’t bother me anyway. This goes on for about an hour when I realize she fell asleep somewhere between Moana and Trolls. Thank God.
Josh looks in the backseat for a second too long, and I allow myself the thought that maybe he knows, but then I squash that. I mean, how could he? especially given what he said to me at the door. “So, are you going to tell me what is with all of the stops?” he asks, turning down the music I turned on to get her playlist out of my head.