The Bound Between Us

Chapter 975

"You're the one who picked out Emmie's name, but now you won't let us use it?"

Flynn complained, only half-joking, as he turned away, defeated, and reached for

Nancy instead. "Nancy, come here-let your second uncle get a hug."

Nancy wasn't having it. She wriggled out of his reach and dove straight into

Anastasia's arms. "Mommy smells nice. I want Mommy to hold me!"

Flynn shot Herman a look. "Man, you've got yourself a little rival for Anastasia's

attention."

Honestly, Nancy was the only other guy in the world who could lay claim to

Anastasia without raising eyebrows.

Herman just glanced over. "What are you doing here so early?"

Flynn remembered why he'd come. "It's about Joseph and Dad wanting him to call

him godfather. From the way Dad was talking, it sounds like he's not giving

Joseph much of a choice. He was out the door first thing this morning."

Herman looked unconcerned. "Joseph won't agree to it."

If Joseph had his mind made up, there was no changing it.

While the guys started their conversation, Anastasia stood up. "You two chat. I'll

take Emmie and Nancy to check on Pattie's lesson."

Herman nodded, silently telling her to go ahead and take the kids.

Pattie was having her lesson in the next building over. Herman had bought this

massive place-nearly 10,000 square feet, with sprawling front and back gardens,

and two houses joined together. The smaller, two-story side house was set up just

kids, with classrooms

their early learning sessions upstairs;

on the

wasn't even the largest property Herman owned.

kind of wealth, this house

pie.

look after the three kids, plus three

considered pretty modest

others in their circle.

into Pattie's math lesson, then took Emmie and Nancy

room for their

Pattie's classes were one-on-one

hadn't realized until she married into

took their kids'

rich kids around, but more often than not,

here grew up with private tutors and Ivy League

pyramid, with every resource

there was no way they'd turn

cut out for running a

had

kids busy, Anastasia sat in the garden, letting the sun warm

ideas for her

James wandered over. Anastasia put down

out?"

picked up some

dropping into

have you and Herman

do about

of those decisions that weighed

parent's heart.

thinking

odds?" she asked, her

one

Such a tiny chance.

heart ached at the thought of Pattie, unable to

being able to

now, mostly at home, but as

confidence would take hit after

phone. "James, if