Share
Chapter 32: My Ball And Chain
Related chapters
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 33: Chinook
CalvinThe morning flies by. I met with the contractor and am pleased we are running two weeks ahead of our original construction schedule, and he doesn’t see any delays in our future. It’s the second week of June, and we have nine weeks until the grand opening. Next, I sit down with Garret to plan our first staff meeting, their training, and the soft opening. We update our list of remaining tasks and the dates we need to place final orders by to allow time for delivery before we open.While I wait for Sky to arrive for lunch and share a wedding update, I email our talent scout for an updated schedule. Then, I email our accountant to see where we stand compared to our targeted budget.“Hi, babe,” Schuyler greets, sliding into the chair opposite me.I take in her sexy summer dress that compliments her rockin’ body. The sight of my girl always revs my engine. Her smile lights up her entire face, so I assume everything is smooth on the wedding front.“Before I forget,” she starts, while p
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 34: A Text From Dani
CalvinThis is the perfect end to a long, hot day. Sky and Tyler play in the pool when I arrive home. As they already ate, I scarf down the leftovers while watching Tyler demonstrate the skills he’s acquired in his swimming lessons.“You’re like a little fish,” I compliment.He proudly smiles, hanging on to the edge of the pool in front of me.“Sky, show Dad what you’ve learned in lessons,” Tyler prompts with one hand still on the edge, the other motioning to her.“Maybe later,” Sky hedges.She’s shared with me she finds it difficult to learn to swim. She’s never been comfortable in the water and finds it hard to trust she’ll float. I’m glad she agreed to take lessons with Tyler. If nothing else, she’ll feel more comfortable with him in the water.I rise from my patio chair, my empty plate and swim trunks in hand. While Tyler swims to the other side of the pool, I crouch down to Sky.“Maybe you can give me a private demonstration later.”Her light-brown eyes look up at me through her w
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 35: Three Possible Men
SchuylerCalvin nods toward Dani when we enter the restaurant. With his hand on the small of my back, he guides me through the crowded seating area. The warmth of his hand helps to calm me a bit. I’m his; we’re a team.Dani doesn’t stand to greet us or smile as we join her at the table. Calvin pulls my chair out before sitting beside me.“Hello,” I greet Dani.“Schuyler, it’s nice to meet you,” she replies.How?How does she know my name?She knows Calvin lives in Des Moines, and she knows my name; this is weirding me out.A server asks for our drink order as she places a steaming cup and a tea bag in front of Dani. Calvin orders two waters for us. While she steeps her tea, I take in the woman that abandoned her Tyler. In this lighting, I can’t decide if her hair is red with brown tones or brown with red highlights. Dani secures it loosely into a messy ponytail. Her eyes bright green are stunning, and her fair skin looks delicate with faint freckles smattered on her nose and cheekbone
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 36: Baby’s Father
CalvinI make sure I leave work right at five, as I promised. In my hand, I carry a large brown sack with a meal our chef practiced preparing today. I figure we need most of the evening to discuss our luncheon. Bringing dinner home will free up more time.During my drive, I flash back to the day I found Sky at the wreck site. She shared her deepest fears, the depth of her pain, and I promised to love her. I shared alternate ways we could grow our family. Since that day, I’ve tried to ease her into becoming a mom to Tyler. I watched as she quickly slipped into the role, and I reveled in the immense joy it brings her. She hoped but never dreamed that she would become a mother; she never thought she’d raise a baby.I love every minute of fatherhood. Sure, it’s scary and stressful at times, but I’ve never regretted my decision to raise Tyler on my own. Part of me believes I owe it to Tyler to allow his sibling to join our family. I worry if he found out as an adult that the child exists, h
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 37: Love Has No End
CalvinWhen Tyler returns from Theo’s the next morning, I fix us a snack of apples and peanut butter at the kitchen island while he takes Chinook to the backyard. When he returns, he takes the stool next to mine, sharing the games he played with Levi and Clint at Theo’s house last night.When he chomps on his apple slice, I begin. “Remember the story of how Nana and Papa adopted me?”Tyler nods while he chews, a little apple juice dripping from the corner of his mouth. I wait patiently for him to swallow.“You love Nana and Papa like your mom and dad, just like I love you.” Tyler repeats the words I’ve shared with him many times.“Right.” I smile. “Sky and I have been asked to adopt a baby.”His eyes grow wide. “I get to be a big brother?” Tyler asks, excitement welling up inside him.“Would you like that?” I ask, eager to understand his true feelings. “We’d have to share time with you and the baby.”“I’m gonna be the best big brother ever!” Tyler exclaims. “I’ll be just like Dan, Levi
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 38: Water Broke
Schuyler I pop out of bed, excited the day is finally here. I barely slept four hours last night, yet I rise like the morning person I’m not. I’ve fully embraced the life I once mourned I’d never have. My Prince Charming rode to Mexico on his white horse and turned my world upside down.Calvin slept at Garret’s last night while Dallas stayed here with Tyler and me. I didn’t want a bachelorette party, so instead, once Tyler went to sleep, the two of us drank a bottle of wine and goofed around at my house. Now, the sun is up, and it’s my wedding day.I hurry downstairs to make myself a cappuccino and Dallas a black coffee. Chinook rings the sleigh bells hanging on the sliding door, so I let him out back to do his doggy business. I marvel at his transformation from a nearly bald, shaved dog into a gorgeous golden retriever, his hair growing longer each day. It’s hard to remember why I cursed at my oldest brother, Levi, for springing an ugly mutt on us when I see this beautiful one now.T
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 39: Our Daughter
Schuyler“Finally,” Dani spits as another doctor enters her labor room. “Will you tell these Neanderthals I’m not having natural childbirth and to take me to surgery?”She words it as a question, but it’s definitely not a question. It seems Dani treats everyone the way she treats Calvin, and it looks like she always gets her way.The doctor nods to the nursing staff, and they immediately prep Dani. One nurse whisks me away to change into scrubs. I text as I follow the nurse behind the nurses’ station.Me: we’re headed to C-section“Um,” the nurse points to my hands, “you need to leave your phone here.”“My little guy is in surgery for an emergency appendectomy right now. I’m waiting for an update,” I explain, hoping to keep my cell phone.“You can lay it down here on the counter. We’ll monitor it and find you immediately, if needed.” She pats my forearm. “It’s a simple procedure; I’m sure he’ll be fine.”I nod, write my code on a notepad, and lay my phone beside it.In the cold, steril
7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 40: Dawn
SchuylerCalvin’s fear shocks me.“You’ve done this before; I haven’t,” I remind him. “Wash your hands.”When he sits again, I lean forward in the chair, passing the baby to him; she looks tiny in his powerful arms. Instantly, he softens, cooing to her.I point to the card taped to her clear bassinet. I realize Calvin hasn’t looked in the direction I’m pointing, so I read, “Baby Girl Calhoun weighs eight pounds, six ounces, and is 22 inches long.” “She’s perfect,” he whispers. He’s gazing at her tiny face like he’s seen nothing more adorable in his life.“Yep! Ten fingers, ten toes, and healthy,” I concur. “She’s perfect. Can you believe she’s ours?”Calvin smiles at me. “Congratulations, Mommy.”“I’ll never tire of hearing that,” I confess, moving to sit beside him on the bed. I slide her little pink cap off, running my fingertips over her dark, peach-fuzz hair. “I can’t keep my hands off of her.”“There’s nothing wrong with that,” my mom’s voice softly states as she enters the room
Latest chapter
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 43: Getting Ahead of Myself
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 42: Wedding Number Two
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 41: A Midnight Scare
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 40: Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 39: Grow My Business
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 38: The Key To All Of Me
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 37: What Happens in Africa...
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 36: Underdressed For Breakfast
- 7 Deadly Sins series Chapter 35: A Happy Surprise
