Anastacia is still sleeping, and though she’s said she doesn’t mind feeding through the night, I’ll let her sleep. It’s not even that late.
I manage to get a pot onto the stove to heat water and let the bottle rest in it to warm, all while entertaining Dorothea enough that she doesn’t start crying enough to wake Anastacia. While the milk is heating, I go into the living room to find my cell, since I left it around here somewhere. I find it on the end table by where I was sitting and take it with me back to the kitchen.
I test the milk, and it’s not a temperature she prefers, so I put it back into the water and sit at the table to check my phone.
Snapper: Which cabin are you staying in?
I frown at the text. It’s strange, coming from him.
Me: Why?
A moment later, a photo comes in. I recognize it immediately. It’s the lake outside, just down the hill.
“This fucking guy,” I mutter.
Me: You’re here?
Snapper: Didn’t want you out here alone. Which cabin?
Me: 3
Snapper: We’re in eight. Not far. Call if you need something.
Me: Thanks brother
I see the text is read, but he doesn’t respond. A text from Tommy comes in then.
Tommy: Security system is all set. Zero just left. Let me send you the info.
Zero, our prospect who I think is going to be patched in officially soon, has had a lot of responsibility. He’s been doing well, and it’s because of that that he’s sticking around. We haven’t had a prospect in years. And if we’re going to be scouting and getting more guys in, it’s best he moves up quicker so he can handle his own shit by himself, which he definitely could do. His dad owns a convenient store in town, and he isn’t our biggest fan, which means he isn’t happy that his son joined us. We weren’t so sure about him because of that, but he’s proven himself. He’s been handling the diner ever since we took it over.While getting everything in order, he found out someone was laundering money. He’s a smart kid.
Another text comes in from Tommy with info on what app to download and how to get connected. It’s going to take me a little bit of time, so I check on Dorothea’s bottle first and find it perfect.
“Here we go, sweet pea.” I sit in the chair and get her comfortable with the bottle, all with one hand, then go back to my phone with the other to work on setting up the security app. When Dorothea is done with the bottle, I burp her while staring at the camera feed of my yard. Four different cameras that get each section around my house. He said he’s still waiting for the other system to come in, so we can handle that together when it does.
“Who knew learning how to do this stuff would be so easy?” I ask Dorothea as I lean back and pat her to see if she has to burp more.
I won’t say having a kid is easy. I didn’t birth her, and I think that traumatized me. It was the scariest thing so far. But the rest of this stuff? It’s pretty easy. Emotionally draining at times, like when she’s crying and you don’t know what’s wrong, or when she won’t sleep at night and you have to work the next day on no sleep. But… this is great. I love this shit. And I will have a hundred babies with Anastacia if that’s what she wants.
Her doctor cleared her today, and I know what that means… wecouldtry to have a baby, but I can’t imagine her body being ready for that yet. Sex, sure. But carrying another baby? No, we need to wait. Get more settled. Maybe even get married first, because apparently, that’s what she wants. Fuck, I want it too. And I’d love to go back home and get married to her right away, but I’d rather make it special. Get her a pretty ring. Get down on one knee. Ask her in front of a ton of people who take picturesand cheer and are happy for us. Yeah, that’s fucking perfect. It’s what she deserves.
I rinse the bottle and leave it in the sink to wash later and go back into the living room and peek through the shades to look outside. It’s dark, but I make out the silhouettes of the other cabins up the small hill. There were a few options when I booked, and I chose one closer to the lake figuring the view would be better. I wasn’t wrong.
I recall walking by cabin five from the parking lot, but I couldn’t tell you where eight is. Maybe on the other side of the lot. It doesn’t matter, I guess, as long as Snapper knows where we are. I was fine thinking we were alone, but there is more comfort knowing one of my brothers is close by, just in case.
Though, I don’t doubt for a second he jumped on the opportunity to take a vacation with his boyfriend. I bet they’ll be in that cabin all day and night getting up to some kinky fuckery. Never in my life would I have guessed that Snapper was into guys, never mind a guy like Lucian—a much older doctor who came from the big city. But now that I see them together, it makes sense. He’s happy, even if he won’t admit it, and I hope he’s getting fucked good all week.
I laugh to myself as I release the shades and turn to face Anastacia.
“Look at mama,” I say softly to the baby. “Isn’t she so beautiful? Just like you.” I bounce her, and see her eyes starting to fall closed, so I make my way into her room and put her back in the travel crib. She’s getting better at putting herself to sleep, though I do love holding her and watching it happen. I also like holding her while she sleeps too. I guess I just like holding her all the time. I never want to put her down.
Sitting on the couch, I watch the fire slowly die. I hadn’t fed it anymore wood, and it wasn’t going for long. Now it’s just embers. The cabin has heat, and it’s plenty warm in here, but Ilove that the fireplace works. It gives the place an authentic feel and helps make it a little more romantic.
With nothing else to do, I dig through the movies to find another to put on, then get comfortable on the couch to watch it while Anastacia sleeps peacefully.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Anastacia
