Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 122966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Safe to say, my head was still fucked up.
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Keira promised.
“Thank you.” I walked over to the coffeemaker and nodded at it in silent offering. I never knew with Keira. She wasn’t indifferent, unlike Taylor. Keira stayed an hour or so sometimes when she was dropping off Grace’s milk, and she had held her a few times too. At the same time, there was a loyalty to Taylor that held her back.
“Thanks, but I should go,” she answered. “We, um…have a buyer for the house.”
That was quick, albeit expected. Last week, she’d said there’d been a bidding war, so I’d played it safe and started weaning Grace off the breast milk. It was too soon, but I’d rather make it last longer by giving her supplemental formula for some meals.
“Got it.” I poured myself some coffee but set down my mug. I wasn’t really in the mood.
Keira took a couple steps toward the door but turned and hesitated. “Taylor said she’ll use the, um, pump until we leave, so I’ll be back in a couple days.”
I inclined my head. “Tell her I said thank you.”
“Will do.” She took a few more steps, only to huff and face me fully. “Look, can I email you or something? Or do I have to pick sides when this is over? I’d like… I mean… She’s supposed to be my niece.”
Her words melted away most of the tension, and I felt bad for playing even the smallest part in making her feel cast aside in this mess.
“Of course we can stay in touch, hon. You have my number, my email, you know where I live…”
She managed a small smile and nodded. “Good.”
“Good,” I echoed with the same smile.
The first time Grace smiled was on Christmas Eve. All the mad Quinns were gathered under the same roof, and once everyone was done gushing over my girl, I stole her away and trailed over to the Christmas tree.
I didn’t have one at home, but that was going to change next year. As soon as Grace saw all the lights and colorful ornaments, she lit up in awe and flashed a ridiculously cute grin when I made an ornament move.
She cooed and jerked in my arms, reaching for them. “Guh, guh!” it sounded like.
Cradling her firmly, I tilted her into a half-seated position on my arm and brought her closer.
“You like those, don’t you?” I grinned and spun one of the shimmering snowmen that hung on the tree.
Pipsqueak joined us with a smile of her own and touched Grace’s cheek. “What’s this crazy talk I hear about you not coming over tomorrow morning?”
I chuckled.
Figures. Mary must’ve gossiped and sent in the cavalry.
“I’d like to spend her first Christmas at home,” I admitted. While I didn’t have a big tree to mesmerize Grace with, I’d prepared the living room for a cozy morning. I’d even bought her a stocking, which I suspected she’d find more interesting to grab at than the actual contents.
Pipsqueak hummed as Grace gripped her finger. “Is this one of those times I should give you space?”
My brows knitted together. “Space?”
She shifted from foot to foot, and some hesitation flickered in her gaze. The green in her eyes was practically alive from the Christmas lights reflecting in them.
She was too busy making funny faces with Grace to answer, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Grace ate that right up. She was incredibly curious about lights and movements. She was alert and grabby. The latter could hurt sometimes. She’d pulled Pipsqueak’s hair more than once, and there was that time she’d dug her fingers into my mouth… Fun times.
I flicked a glance at Pipsqueak, but instead of looking away again, I just didn’t. It was the dead of winter, and she still had some summer freckles on her nose. Two dimples appeared whenever she smirked. Then she stuck out her tongue and let her fingers dance over Grace’s face, to which she squealed and jumped in my arms. I hadn’t noticed the slight curve that dipped into Pipsqueak’s upper lip. Because why the fuck would I? Christ.
I cleared my throat and refocused on Grace.
“The prettiest girl with the prettiest names.” Pipsqueak leaned in and nuzzled their noses together. “Yes, you are.”
“Dinner’s ready, everyone!” Mary hollered from the kitchen. Or the dining room, maybe.
“What kind of space?” I reminded Pipsqueak.
“Oh!” She grinned sheepishly, maybe because she’d gotten distracted by Grace. I couldn’t blame her. “Like, do you want to be alone with her, or could I maybe come over? I have gifts for both of you.”
Ah, that kind of space. I shook my head. “Come over whenever you want.”
I had something for her too.
Christmas Eve dinner at the Quinns’ was always a loud affair. Mary had timed it perfectly too, because Grace was napping in the guest room, so I could relax and join in on the festivities and dick around with my buddies. It was great to see Ryan; he didn’t visit often enough.