Wyatt-1(Lane Brothers, Book 1)(32)
Apparently their home is a monstrosity that boasts enough wings that they all live pretty much independently when they want to, though Miah doesn’t seem the slightest bit sheepish at admitting that he still basically lives with his parents because who in their right mind would pass up Judith Lane’s cooking when she’s just down the hall.
“You okay, baby?” Wyatt whispers when we stop at a massive steel gate leading to a property so large it could probably fit ten or more football fields easily.
“Uh-huh.”
The house is in the distance, a tiny speck so far from the gate, it looks miniscule.
“How big is this place?” I mutter.
My folks weren’t poor by anybody’s standards and provided very well for us, but this level of riches is not something I’ve ever encountered. To be honest, it’s more than a little intimidating to see that the Lanes are rich enough to buy and sell a country or two.
“It’s huge, but I swear you will love the house. It’s quirky and has a whole bunch of interesting hidden shit all over. My great-great-great-granddaddy started adding to the original building when he realized he loved his wife too much to keep his hands off of her and that was when they only had ten kids.”
“Ten! Ten kids?” I squeak.
He seems so pleased with that, I’m starting to doubt the intelligence of actually wanting to be with him. No way will I survive more than three, at most. Ten would…I don’t think I’d get to four without being a dried-up shadow of myself.
“Yeah.”
Miah chokes when Wyatt sounds a little sheepish and attempts to backpedal and soon I’m laughing right along with his brothers. Wyatt scowls at them and pats my hand reassuringly.
“Dude, do not try to fool your girl. Tell her that the irascible Jeremiah Lane, great patriarch of the family, ended up with twelve rug rats and that’s why he turned this old house into a hotel. See, Ellie, the man was so annoyed to always have one of his million children underfoot, especially when he was trying to catch poor Granny for another round, that he built the place large enough that it’d take the children at least twenty minutes to come knocking.”
That poor woman. Twelve kids!
“Oh my God, please do not tell me you expect that, because if so, you can let me out right here and I’ll hitchhike back home.”
Even he laughs this time, and I get a noogie for my efforts and a growled promise not to make any promises.
Yikes.
“Well, here we are, baby. Welcome home.”
My breath literally stalls in my chest when I look away from him and see the house for the first time. Its huge, as big as the hotel in The Shining, and that’s just the beginning.
The place is a marvel of architecture, a patchwork of so many different styles and sizes that it looks like a puzzle of many different homes all stuck together to make one, huge totally breathtaking home.
I love it so much that I scramble out on my own and stand staring, gobsmacked, and in awe. Wyatt had better hope he never tires of me, because at this rate it’ll take a crowbar to pry me away from the place, and that’s without once considering the lush green grounds that stretch to the front and back as far as the eye can see.
It’s so big, I reckon you’d have to use a golf cart just to see the place from boundary to boundary.
“Oh wow.”
It’s all I can say before the door bursts open and a black-haired tornado flies my way and throws her arms around me.
“Oh, Ellie! You’re here. How was the drive? Please tell me they didn’t force you to abandon breakfast before coming home. Did Wyatt tell you that you have a whole wing to yourself? And I bought you a whole wardrobe to fill your closet. Oh, you should see some of the stuff Wyatt already bought you and—”
“Ma. You’re going to have to stop choking her if you want her to live to see it all.” Wyatt laughs, prying her away and dragging me into the side of his body.
Jude giggles, a truly wonderful sound that makes me feel warm and happy and covers her cheeks with her hands.
“Oh, honey, forgive me, I’m just so excited! George! Come and see, George!” she yells, never once taking her eyes off me.
A man in his early fifties ambles out and smiles indulgently at Jude before turning to me. He looks kind, and so like his sons that I don’t feel a scrap of fear when he comes forward and lifts me into a bear hug.
“Hey, Ellie dear, I’m glad this son of mine finally pulled his head out of his ass and brought you home. Don’t mind Judy too much if you can help it, the old bat is so happy to finally have you here she almost chewed my arm off to get to the door.”
“That’s true!” she gushes, linking our arms and pulling me into the house, leaving the men behind, staring in wonder.