Page 105 of From the Start

He tags my hand and drags me to Paisley’s hospital room. The room is crowded with the entire Raider family. Even my dad is in here.

Paisley is laying in the bed holding a tiny human being while Eli leans over her. He smiles at the baby and the love practically pours out of him.

Eli lifts the baby from her. “Family, meet Stephanie Raider.”

Jessica bursts into tears. “Stephanie was my mother’s name.” Stuart wraps an arm around her and she buries her face into his shoulder.

The baby is handed from uncle to uncle until she reaches Kai. Kai smiles down at her. “Hi, little Raider. Welcome to the world. You don’t know me yet, but I’m your Uncle Kai. I’m going to be your favorite uncle.”

He kisses her nose and I sigh. I can’t wait for him to kiss the nose of our children. He’ll be the best dad ever.

Welp. I guess it’s official. I am no longer falling for Kai. I love him. My heart hammers in my chest as fear creeps in. I hope I’m not making a mistake, but I have no choice in the matter. My heart latched onto Kai before my mind could stop it.

“Does this mean it’s time for ribs now?” Dad asks and the room bursts into laughter.

Chapter 30

“Look, I said I’d be quiet. I never said she would.” ~ Kai

Kai

“I’m tired. I’m going to bed,” Henry announces when a commercial break comes on.

It’s only nine but I can’t blame him. It’s been a long day. First, the hospital and then dinner atSmuggler’s Coveto celebrate our new niece. Dinner with the Raider brothers is never quiet or short.

Harper yawns as she pushes to her feet. “Let’s go.”

“Kai can help me.”

“Dad.”

“I said Kai can help me.”

I stand. “I got this, Slugger.”

I kiss Harper before making my way to Henry. I wheel him down the hallway to his bedroom, where I help him get changed into pajamas and ready for bed.

“If you need anything, shout.”

“All I ask is for you to be quiet.”

I nearly choke on air at his words. For a grumpy man, those words are a ringing approval, complete with five stars and a thumbs-up.

I wink at him. “Got ya.”

I nearly bump into Harper at the end of the hallway, where she’s pacing and wringing her hands. I capture her hand and kiss her palm.

“He’s fine, Slugger.”

“I know. It’s just hard. I’ve always been the one to care for him.”

I brush the hair off of her forehead. “It’s hard to let go, but you couldn’t keep going the way you were.” Her jaw tightens but I continue before she has a chance to let her grump loose. “You were killing yourself. Your dad wants you to have a life, too.”

Her shoulders slump with defeat. “I know.”

I wrap an arm around her shoulders and guide her toward her bedroom. She plants her feet when we reach the door. “What are you doing?”

“Getting ready for bed.”