Chapter 24
Tiago
I’m sitting at the table in the kitchen sipping my coffee on Friday morning when my girl wanders in. She looks adorable, all mussed and sleepy. I love how she looks first thing in the morning, and tomorrow is the last time she will ever wake up not in my bed where I can stare at her.
I rise, pull out the chair next to mine, and push her up to the table as soon as she sits.
I have our breakfast routine all figured out.
I slide a glass of orange juice in front of her, which she guzzles while I head for the counter to prepare her tea.
My girl likes black tea with cream and sugar in the morning.
She’s slightly more awake when I return with the steaming cup, and after a sip, she smiles and blinks as though she’s just arrived on Earth and notices Ryder and Claire sitting across from her. “Ahhh… Tea…”
I set a croissant in front of her next and grab a plate of bacon and scrambled eggs from the warmer.
Reagan tips her head back and gives me the biggest smile.
I set my hand on her shoulder and bend down to kiss her, lingering longer than necessary. “I love you.”
“And you’re so good at showing it. You’re spoiling me.”
“Always, baby. Forever.” I slide onto the chair next to her and straddle her with my legs.
She shoots me a playful glare. “Did you want to hold my fork and feed me, too?”
Claire finally giggles. “Oh, girl… You have not seen hovering yet. Wait until after the wedding. They get worse.”
Ryder smirks before pulling his wife’s braid and looking down at her, an inch between their faces. “And by worse, you mean that my palm lands on your sassy bottom more often?”
“Something like that,” she mutters.
Reagan takes a bite of her eggs and then leans to one side and stares across the room. “What on Earth is in all those giant boxes?”
Claire groans. “Furniture for the nursery.”
“Already?” Reagan’s voice rises. “You’re like two-minutes pregnant.”
“Don’t I know it?” Claire elbows Ryder. “This caveman thinks we need to be prepared.”
Ryder tugs her hair again. “It’s never too early to start planning.” He glances at me next. “I’m happy to order two of everything if you’d like.”
Tea spews out of Reagan’s mouth before she jerks her gaze to me. “Don’t you dare.”
I chuckle and rub her back as I respond to Ryder. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll let my wife pick what she wants.”
“In like a year,” she grumbles.
“In like nine months and a day,” I respond, grinning.
Ryder rubs his wife’s flat stomach. It’s comical since, like Reagan pointed out, she’s two-minutes pregnant, but I find myself jealous that his wife is pregnant. It’s irrational, but I can’t wait to catch up.
Claire bats Ryder’s hand away. “Stop that.” She shoves at him, too. “And scoot over a few inches. You’re suffocating me.”
He doesn’t budge. I don’t blame him. He does remove his hand, though. “I spoke to Mom and Dad this morning. They’ll be here tonight.”
“Oh good,” I respond.
“They said they were glad they only have three kids and that the other one lives closer to them.”
I laugh. “Yeah, two unexpected weddings a few weeks apart have probably given them whiplash.”
“At least Dad isn’t as stressed about coming to Wilde this time. I know he worried a few weeks ago. He hadn’t been here since before he met Mom. He was relieved the entire town wasn’t lined up to hang him.”
None of us knew what to expect when we came to Wilde.
Our parents hadn’t shared much about why they’d left and never returned.
Apparently, it’s not that complicated. Their father, Amos Wilde, became a reclusive miser after their mother died.
He made everyone’s life miserable, so they moved away and never looked back.
The man is gone, and his grown-adult grandchildren are arriving to help Wilde return to its formerly thriving state. We have the means and the will to do so, and it will happen.
Reagan finishes her breakfast and looks at me. “Your parents must be very leery about me.”
Claire shakes her head. “They’re super sweet. They treated me like one of their own. Don’t you worry.”
Reagan draws in a deep breath. “Thanks. That helps.”
I pull her out of her seat and onto my lap so I can hold her close and kiss her. “They will love you, baby.”
“So, what’s on the docket today?” Ryder asks. “Claire and I had a list a mile long on our last day as single people.”
Claire groans. “And that list did not include being held at knifepoint by an ex-boyfriend. But we added that to it.”
I cringe. I was there that day. I was supposed to be protecting Claire. Of course, no one blames me. I had no idea there was a crazed lunatic hiding in her bedroom when she went upstairs to pack, leaving me to stand guard in the kitchen.
Nevertheless, I’m not going to risk a repeat performance with my woman. “We have a list. We’re doing everything on it together.”
“We could divide and conquer,” Reagan suggests.
I stiffen and grip her chin.
“Kidding. Sheesh… I get it. I’m not allowed out of your sight for the rest of my life, not even to pee.”
She’s exaggerating. Sort of. Okay, not much.
“Did you find someone to cover your tours next week?”
“Yes, Master…” she sasses. “I know. I know. We’re not leaving the house. I get it.”
I pinch her ass for her sass, making her arch off my lap and squeal. And then I kiss her before standing with her in my arms. We need to get our day started. Time’s a-ticking.