Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,180

have some errands today, but it won’t take me long. I’ll try to get back early, so you can get some editing done.”

“No rush. Lex and I play, and then I edit while she sleeps. I’ve even done a shoot with her.”

“Really? How did you manage that?”

“I used the swaddler. I picked it up at Target. I put it over my head then place her in it, and she rests tight against me. I had both hands free to do the shoot. She was fussy that day and Mom couldn’t calm her, but when I held her, she was pacified. I decided to try it out and she seemed to love it.”

“You already had this carrier thing?” I ask her.

“Yeah, I kind of always make a trip through the baby section when I’m at Target. I found it on sale and thought it might be useful for you to get stuff done, being on your own and all. I just kept forgetting to give it to you. It worked out.” She grins.

All I can do is grin back at her. She’s so carefree. I expected her to be consumed with this marriage we both agreed to. I expected her to be…different, I guess, about last night, but I should have known better. This is McKinley. She’s tough as nails.

“I think I need to see this…contraption,” I tease her.

“Hey, Lex loves it.”

“Uh-huh.” I stand and pick up our dishes. “I’ll clean the kitchen real fast and grab a quick shower.”

“And we,” she lifts Lexi from the floor, “will go pack your bag, little miss.”

Chapter 34

McKinley

Today, Evan, Lexi, and I leave for Alabama. We decided to drive since little miss requires so much gear. It’s an eight-hour drive, so here we are at five in the morning, piling into the car. My family, as well as Evan’s grandparents, will be flying out this weekend for the wedding. We’ve decided to keep things as simple as possible, but all the family needs to be there for appearance’s sake. His grandparents don’t get around all that well, but insisted they be there. Evan tried to tell them we understood, but like I said, they insisted.

Evan loaded the Durango last night, and I spent the night here; it was just easier. Not to mention, when we come back from Alabama, this is where I will be living. I will continue to use my studio at my parents’ and Mom is still going to help out with Lexi on the days I cannot be with her. Everything’s falling into place.

“Okay, I think I have everything. I loaded the last of our bags with toiletries. You girls ready to hit the road?” he asks.

“She’s oblivious,” I laugh. Lexi is now three months old and sleeping through the night. When Evan got her out of bed this morning, she just stretched and fell right back to sleep after her diaper change. She’ll be ready to eat around seven, which will be the perfect time for us to stop and eat breakfast as well.

“Let’s do this.” Evan swoops down and picks up the car seat before holding the door open for me. Just like that, we’re on the road to Alabama to be married.

I’m marrying Evan Chamberlin!

“Can you believe Aaron got ordained?” Evan laughs.

“I know! I mean it makes sense, keeping it all in the family, but it’s going to be weird, right?”

Evan reaches across the console and rests his hand on my knee. “It’s going to be fine,” he says with confidence.

During the past few weeks, we’ve kissed a lot. There’s been more a few times, but not much. Neither one of us talk about it. We slip into his room late at night, and then the next day, it’s like it never happened.

Except it does.

My heart knows it and so does my body. I ache for his touch and long to be in his arms each night. After this trip, we’ll be sleeping under the same roof every night. So far, it’s just been the occasional evening when he has to work late, so I watch Lexi and end up staying instead of driving home. It’s a weak excuse, considering my parents’ house is not a five-minute drive from his.

“So, depending on how she does, we should be there tonight. We’re in no rush, so if you decide you want to stop somewhere and spend the night, we can.”

“Sounds good. Everyone else will be there on Friday. I’m glad you’ll have a few days to spend with