Page 50 of Double Booked

“Yes. Just checking email.”

“Oh, that’s right, you have to tell me all about being an author. But first.” She guided me towards the grocery store. “We need wine.”

Four hours later, I was distracted from my very animated retelling of my first FBI ridealong with a rookie FBI agent that I was sure hated his life that day when a familiar silver truck pulled into the driveway. Agnes and I were on our second– no third bottle of wine between the two of us and the half empty bottle was nestled between us in the cushions of Colton’s porch swing. The afternoon sun had set behind the trees, no longer blinding us with its rays. My bare feet were curled up underneath me, my sandals discarded on the porch steps. Maggie lay next to the swing while Rex curled up in a chair on the other side of the porch.

Colton, Forrest, and Justin climbed out of the truck and I bit my lip to hold in my swoon. My men were slightly sweaty and I almost drooled when Justin raked his hand through his hair, forearm muscles rippling. Forrest clapped a hand on Colton’s shoulder and I could picture how Colton would look in thirty years and I wasn’t disappointed.

“Hubba, hubba,” Agnes murmured under her breath and I snorted, wine almost coming out of my nose before breaking out into giggles. She laughed with me. “What, I’m old, but I can still get it on and my husband is a fine piece of ass.”

I laughed so hard I snorted and Agnes about fell out of the swing. All three men paused at the bottom of the steps and looked at us, amusement in their eyes. Maggie huffed from her spot next to us and went to curl up in the other chair next to Rex. It was like the dogs were saying “Good, you’re here. They’re your problem now.”

“Are you having a good time, Aggie?” Forrest asked.

“Aww he calls you Aggie?” I cried. “That’s so sweet.”

Agnes attempted to sit up straight but she wobbled the swing dangerously as she lifted her wine glass to her mouth. “That’s not all he calls me.”

“Momma!”

“Momma A!”

I burst into laughter. Agnes snorted and collapsed into the cushions next to me. The swing rocked dangerously, threatening to tip us. I’ve never seen three grown men move that fast. Forrest and Justin stabilized the swing while Colton rescued the wine bottle that almost tipped over.

“Good boy,” Agnes crowed. “Rescuing the wine just like I taught you.”

I patted Colton’s cheek and he grinned at me. “Are you a little wine drunk, baby girl?”

I sniffed and took another sip of my glass. “I’m not drunk, I'm perfectly intoxicated.”

Justin chuckled and I leaned my head back to look at him, wincing when the move made me dizzy. Okay, I was a little drunk. Okaaayyy, a lot drunk.

“Come on, Aggie, Priscilla has a room for us at her bed and breakfast. We’re going to leave the youngins to themselves tonight,” Forrest gently guided Agnes up and out of the swing.

“Aww, you’re leaving already?” I pouted.

“Oh no, sweet girl, you can’t get rid of me that easily,” Agnes cupped my cheeks with her hands. “We’re staying at least until the Harvest Festival.”

I wrinkled my brow. “The Harvest Festival?”

“Mmhmm it’s in a few weeks. So that means that this,” she attempted to draw a circle around the swing and almost fell over. “Will happen again.”

“Yay!” I cheered and the guys laughed.

Colton set the bottle of wine on the railing as Forrest guided Agnes to the truck. She waved dramatically at us and I waved back, rocking the swing.

Justin dropped onto the swing next to me and pulled me into his lap so Colton could sit down next to us. Colton pulled my feet into his lap and started rubbing them gently. “Did you have fun, baby girl?”

I snuggled into Justin’s chest, suddenly tired. “I did.” I looked up at Colton, “You’re lucky to have grown up with a mom like her.” Agnes was just so warm and kind and made me feel supported no matter what I told her. She bragged to everyone in town about me being an author. My parents had never once done that.

Colton’s eyes softened. “I know, baby girl. But remember, she’s your mom too.”

I just nodded and Justin nuzzled his cheek in my hair. “What did you all get up to today?” He asked.

I giggled. “We put some bitches in their place.” I giggled uncontrollably and Justin’s chest vibrated underneath me as he laughed.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Justin said, standing with me in his arms and ignoring my squeak of surprise. “Let’s get you some water and into bed. You’re going to hate life tomorrow otherwise.”

I hummed as Justin opened the door and carried me inside. I could hear Colton calling for the dogs behind us. I smiled and closed my eyes. I was pretty sure this is what home felt like.

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