Page 139 of Finding Hayes
“Do you want me to come sit with you?” he asked.
“Nope. I’m going to have a little quiet time with my boy.” She smiled and walked inside the house.
“You guys are all so… married.” Easton took a swig of his beer. He’d come to Magnolia Falls tonight after being at his parents’ party this afternoon, apparently. Since the dude had access to his brother’s helicopter, he’d left one party and made it to the next. He’d really helped me and Savvy out with our situation, and I liked him a lot.
River barked out a laugh. “Who’d have thought we’d all be married like this?”
“Not me,” I said. “Never thought I was the marrying type.”
“Yet here you are, with twin girls on the way,” Easton said.
“I’m glad you came tonight. It means a lot.” Nash took a long pull from his beer, and I studied him. He’d been quieter than normal.
“Something on your mind, brother?” Kingston asked.
Nash looked at Easton, and the corners of his lips turnedup. “We’re waiting to tell everyone when it’s final, but I guess I never keep anything from you fuckers.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing over to see Cutler sitting on Savannah’s lap with his head back in a fit of laughter.
“Easton met with Tara about the idea of Emerson adopting Cutler,” he said, and you could see all the emotion there, written all over his face.
“And what did she say?” Romeo asked as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“She said she wouldn’t fight it.” Easton glanced over at his sister before looking back at the fire.
“Let me guess. She wants money?” I asked.
“You know, I expected that, to be honest. But that’s not how adoption works. I told her that I spoke to Cutler, which I did, and I shared that he’d started calling Emerson mama, and they’d like to make it official. I assured her that she’d be welcome to visit, and they wouldn’t have an issue with her having lunch with him when she came to town. But I said that Cutler wants stability. He’s surrounded by it now.” Easton shrugged. “And she cried and said she knew she’d failed him.”
“Turns out she has a heart underneath that selfish exterior,” Nash said.
“I told her that it’s never too late to do the right thing. Nash and Emmy are getting married. She’s been a stable force in his life. And they’d like to make it official.” Easton paused when the flames crackled around us before continuing. “She said she saw the way Emerson cared for Cutler when she was here. She wanted to do the unselfish thing for her son. So I needed to come tell my sister the news in person today. It’s important to her.”
“Damn. I did not see that coming,” King said.
“Sometimes people do the right thing.” I shrugged.
“I’m happy for you, brother. It’s all working out,” River said. “For all of us.”
“How about you?” Easton directed his question to River. “You and Ruby going to follow suit and get pregnant with triplets?”
More laughter.
The twin jokes were never-ending.
The dude who swore he’d never have kids got a two-for-one special.
Get your shotgun ready. You’ve got two little princesses to protect.
Two teenage girls at the same time is your punishment for being a broody asshole all these years.
I didn’t mind it. I found it funny. It was a reminder that we didn’t always know what the future held. And that’s what life was all about.
It was a journey, and I was grateful for the one I was on.
“We talk about it, but we’re not there yet. My girl wants to save the world first. She’s starting a foundation for the kids she works with, so get ready to help with the fundraising.” River sipped his beer.
“What’s her plan?” Easton asked.
