Page 138 of Rival
Both Griffin and I have fallen silent as she makes tiny gurgling noises, all of us softening with every sound. I brush a downy soft strand of hair from her forehead as Jaxon sways slightly with her.
“Did I tell you guys she smiled at me yesterday?”
I whip my head toward Griffin, my mouth dropping open. “Did she really?”
His entire face is lit up with love for her, never once caring that biologically, she’s not his. Both heandJaxon dove headfirst into fatherhood right along with me, and honestly, it’s been pretty amazing even if we do butt heads from time to time.
Jaxon kisses her head and finally hands her over. Grinning at Griffin, he teases, “Are you sure it wasn’t gas? I thought that didn’t happen until three months?”
“That’s what I thought, so I searched it up. Babies can start smilin’ as early as six weeks, and she’s obviously way more advanced than any infant I’ve ever met.”
“It’s true.” I can’t help but agree with him. If he said she smiled, then I’ll take it and try to get one for me as well. “What are you two gonna do while we’re outside?”
Blakely rubs her face against my chest, but I don’t think she’s hungry since Edith just fed her less than twenty minutes ago.Thatis something I never thought I would find so goddamn beautiful. I could watch the two of them like that for hours given the chance.
“Gonna head into town and grab some sh—stuff we need at the store. There’s a list on the counter in the kitchen if you want to add anythin’.”
Jaxon nods his head in approval when Griffin corrects his language. I don’t care so much. Not like she’ll understand right now, but we’ve got four people making decisions now. If Jaxon is bothered by it, it’s a small sacrifice to make to keep all of us happy.
“We’ll see you when you get back,” I say before I turn and take my time walking down the steps with my girl, then snag Edith’s hand wordlessly to drag her outside.
Pulling me to a stop at the door, she turns me to check on Blakely. “Oh good, you guys put her in her sleep sack. I was worried maybe the hay or fur would irritate her skin.”
“Is itreallycalled a sleep sack?” I ask, feeling kind of irritated that Griffin was right.
She blinks up at me in confusion. “Yes? I’m pretty sure. Why?”
Grumbling, I just shake my head and mutter, “Doesn’t matter. You feeling okay for a walk?”
“I feel fantastic.” Edith is beaming and I’m glad her adjustment to the move into the house and all of us being here as well seems to have gone over well.
I’m certain that she and Jaxon have made up, and I’m tempted to ask, but the way she was grinning when they came home the other day told me hefinallygot his forgiveness in the best of ways.
“Why are you smiling like that, Mr. Cooper?” she asks, poking me in the side.
Barking out a laugh, I quickly let go of Edith’s hand to pat Blakely’s back when she fusses, startled by the noise. “Sorry, baby girl,” I whisper. Winking at Edith as she follows closely at my side, I tell her, “Just thinkin’ that Jaxon and you seem to have worked through your troubles. Am I right?”
She hums and blushes. “Mhmm. You know that means we’re all stuck together now, right? Think you can handle that?”
I let out a loud, exaggerated sigh. “I suppose I can tolerate them. Grab the door, would you?” We stop in front of Austin’s barn, and she hurries ahead to pull it open since I’ve got my arms full.
Austin already had his head over the stall wall to nip at Raleigh, then lifts his head to watch us with interest as we head toward him. The moment he sees Blakely, he snorts out a breath, shifting from side to side, interested but not quite knowingwhy.
Edith drags a hand over Raleigh’s nose in greeting before we make it to Austin. “I’m gonna need you to keep calm for me, buddy. Then I’ll bring her over so you can meet.” I’ve found myself talking more and more to him as well as those fucking cats, picking up on the habit from Edith and her long conversations with all of them.
I’m going to accept he understood because Austin lowers his head slowly, then tentatively stretches his neck toward our bundle, his nostrils working hard as he scents her.
Edith moves to his side and runs a hand up his neck, praising him for how sweet he’s being. “This is your little sister. You know when she starts riding, it’s you and Noir she’ll be learning on. So, just remember, she’s precious and breakable while she’s little like this.”
Austin pushes his nose against Blakely’s rump, which has her doing her best to turn her head. I adjust my hold so she’s laying in my arm, now facing my horse.
Both Edith and I chuckle when her eyes comically widen, taking in the massive face peering down at her. With Edith’s hand on his neck, he doesn’t try to nuzzle her again, but a heavy breath snorts out of him, fanning Blakely’s hair from the current.
She does that shuddered intake of breath, then purses her lips and blows a few bubbles from her lips.
Austin jerks his head back, curious now, then tries to step forward to get closer. I shift Blakely away so he can’t gettooclose, then run a hand over his nose. “You’ll get to see her plenty. This was just a lil’ meet and greet for now.”
Backing away, he spins in his stall, then comes back with that damn ball, gripping the rope between his teeth and drops it over the wall.
