Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
A red SUV pulled up in the passenger pickup lane just as I started to search through my bag for yet another diaper.
Nora rolled the window down and called, “Jeez, about time y’all showed up!”
Ramsey narrowed his eyes, but his scowl was watered down by a massive smile.
My father scrambled out of the passenger seat. “Sorry we’re late, buttercup. They closed Wombly Road, so we had to take Juniper, but there was some kind of Christmas parade going on.”
“Why weren’t you answering the phone? You scared me to death.”
He released me. “I left it at home, but I hope this gives you a little insight to how I feel when you don’t pick up my calls during naptime.”
I rolled my eyes, but he ignored me to pluck Joey out of the carrier on Ramsey’s chest. “How’s my big man doing?” he cooed.
Ramsey curled Nora into his side and teased, “I’m good, Joe. Thanks for asking.”
“Oh my lord, what is that smell!” Dad exclaimed, holding my son out in front of him.
Nora swooped in and took Joey. “Don’t be such a wimp. It’s probably just a—dear God. What are you feeding this monster?”
I laughed and gave her a hug before taking the baby. “You guys load up the car. Ramsey, install the carseat. I’ll use the back seat to change—” I abruptly stopped when a sparkle on Nora’s finger caught my eye. Balancing Joey on my hip, I grabbed her wrist and yanked it toward me. “What the hell is that?”
She snatched it away. “You aren’t supposed to see that yet.”
My mouth fell open as Ramsey barged into the huddle to grab her hand too.
“He proposed?” he rumbled at his sister.
She plugged her ears like a very mature thirty-two-year-old woman and hummed, “La, la, la, la, la! I’m not talking about this yet.”
All eyes turned to my dad, but he was busy staring at his shoes.
Of course he knew—he was the keeper of all secrets.
“You knew about this and didn’t tell me?” I accused.
His head popped up and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yeah. And Thea’s pregnant too. There. We’re all even. Now, can we all get the hell out of here? Misty is alone with a cookbook. This isn’t going to turn out well for any of us.”
I swung my accusation to Ramsey. “You told him?”
My husband, who was still wearing an empty baby carrier, tipped his head back and stared up at the sky. “Come on, Joe. I told you that in confidence.”
“Holy shit,” Nora laughed. “You’re pregnant again? Already?” She punched Ramsey on the shoulder. “Good work.”
He shot her a sneaky grin and mouthed, “It’s a boy.”
“Seriously, Ramsey?” I scolded, but it only made him laugh.
Everyone broke out into congratulations, swapping hugs, admiring Nora’s ring, and rubbing my belly. It didn’t matter that Nora was parked illegally and we were standing on the sidewalk outside the airport.
We were all just so genuinely happy.
And when you lived a life like ours, you learned to embrace the good times whenever and wherever you found them.
Thrilled at the news of another grandson, my dad took Joey from me again, laughing and dancing him around, stinky diaper and all.
Ramsey sidled up beside me, grinning like the boy I’d fallen in love with. Dipping low, he put his lips to my ear and whispered, “I love you, Sparrow.”
Twenty-four years, three months, one week, five days, eighteen hours, eleven minutes, and counting… “I love you too, Ramsey.”
THE END