Page 77 of Accidentally Falling
Losing myself in the memories, I drive the rest of the way on autopilot, arriving only minutes before the girls pull in, the truckpassing me near the house as it follows a dirt road back into the property.
Taking their lead, I do the same, parking next to them before climbing out.
“Afternoon, ladies,” I say, nodding to Ellison before taking Arden’s chin between my fingers and kissing her gently on the lips.
“Stop sexing up my sister and help?—”
“Eddie!” Montana booms, his boots stomping against the gravel as he comes around the side of the barn.
“Hi, Max, you’re looking handsome today,” she coos as he drags his hands down his face.
“Why, baby? Why are you tryin’ to put me in an early grave? We don’t need any more animals. Hell, I don’t need half the ones we got!”
“I’ve got it all figured out,” Ellison starts, leaning into him and pressing his palm against her belly.
“She is diabolical,” I murmur to Arden, making her snicker and nod.
“I know.”
“But we don’t have alpacas! Max, they have such cute names!”
“No.”
“They’re bonded; she basically got one for free,” Arden adds helpfully, her brother-in-law squeezing his eyes shut as he turns his face toward the sky.
“AndBea can use the wool, and she can make little socks and hats for the baby! Won’t that be fun?” Ellison beams and I watch the fight drain from Montana, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
“How many are on there?”
“Three,” Arden and her sister say in unison, Ellison rubbing her belly as a not-so-subtle reminder that she’s carrying his baby and therefore she can get away with anything.
As if she doesn’t already.
“Names?”
“Pickle, Cheddar, and Sprinkles.”
“You cannot be fucking serious,” Montana mumbles under his breath, and I can only imagine him having to call his alpaca herd back to the barn.
Poor guy.
“You good or you need some help?” I halfheartedly offer.
“Oh, no, you don’t get out of this. You’re family and if I’m miserable, someone else has to be too.”
“Well, that sounds fun,” I say to no one in particular, dropping a kiss on the top of Arden’s head before meeting him at that trailer.
“Get used to it.” Montana grunts as he opens up the barn. “Hell, you might wanna build a barn just in case.”
“Come on, Max, it’s not that bad.”
“Keep talkin’, Eddie, but we both know what your mouth is gonna be doing later.”
Well, all right then.
Eyes widening at the not-so-subtle exchange, I turn and look at Arden who bites her bottom lip and shrugs. “What are your thoughts on taking your shirt off?”
“Not gonna happen.” I laugh and she grins.
