Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
As it is, she texted me several times today. Courage is a small community, and she heard about Evie’s asthma attacks. I reassured her that Evie was fine and would be good as new in a few days with proper care.
I don’t bother knocking on the front door. All of us come and go from Mom’s place throughout the day. We’re constantly coordinating check-ins, meals, and shifts at her candle shop.
We’re doing everything we can to keep her busy and active. We want her to stay engaged with her community, and to know she’s loved. It’s no hardship for a woman who gave us everything—taking in five foster kids and giving us a loving home.
“Greer.” Mom looks up from the dining table where she and Noah have a dozen books spread out. Several of them are dog-eared copies of her favorite candle-making books. A few are new books that I don’t recognize, but a glance at the titles confirms they’re all about making hypoallergenic products. It’s just like my mom to be worried about my girl. “You look hungry. Do you want a sandwich? Noah, pass me that bread. I’ll make your favorite.”
I fight a smile at the way she still clucks over me like I’m the half-starved twelve-year-old boy who came to her all those years ago. “No, I ate earlier. I’ve got Evie over at my place—”
Mom’s face instantly lights up the moment I mention her. “How is she? Martha said she was in a bad way, and you carried her in your arms. But then you were seen together at the donut shop, looking very cozy according to Mrs. Cranston.”
Mom loves knowing what’s going on at all times. I’m surprised she didn’t call me the moment she heard that I was at the donut shop.
She’s still talking, “So I’ll go over there and check on her right now. Noah, get my good cardigan and my purse.” She pats her hair. “Wish Ginger were here. She’d curl my hair the right way.”
Noah shakes his head. His voice is quiet, and gentle when he says, “I don’t think we’re invited over just yet.”
Mom deflates. She means well. She’s been after me to find a nice girl and settle down for the past few years. I thought it’d get better when my little sister, Ginger, got married. That only seemed to make Mom even more determined that what her boys need are wives.
“She’s raising her two brothers. They’re with us tonight. I don’t know quite what the situation is just yet, but are you still in touch with your social worker friends?”
“Still play bridge with Carol every two weeks,” she answers. I didn’t know that, but I’m not surprised. One of my brothers must take her to those games.
“We might need their help at some point,” I admit. Evie said their mom wasn’t in the picture, and that makes the situation even harder. I plan to help her get legal custody of the boys.
“You let me know when it’s time to reach out,” Mom says. She’s a hell of a gossip, but you can count on her to keep her mouth shut when it matters.
I nod my thanks. “Since the boys are over at my place tonight, I was thinking about how you used to fill those backpacks.”
She beams at me. “Oh, you’re right! Just made up a dozen to donate. Let me go grab those.”
She wheels her motorized wheelchair across the kitchen and toward the storage room.
While she’s gone, Noah says nothing. But he keeps looking at me which means he’s thinking something. He’s not the type to say something unless you nudge him.
I feel my impatience grow the longer he’s quiet. I want him to say it then I want to get out of here so I can get back to my girl. “Spit it out.”
“Just seems she’s been on the run,” Noah answers. I don’t know how he knew that, but I’m not surprised that he did. Noah always knows everything about everyone, just like Mom. The difference is that Noah doesn’t care much for gossip. The guy is like a vault.
“What’s your point?” I don’t bother hiding the irritation from my voice. I have a feeling that I know his point and won’t like it.
“She might bolt again.”
“I'm not letting that happen.”
Noah doesn’t look nearly satisfied with my answer. “Then make sure she knows it's time to confront what she's been running from. Otherwise, you're in for a world of heartache.”
I grunt. My choice was made the moment I saw fear on Chase’s face and again when Parker flinched. “Don't worry. I plan to find the person she's running from. I'll end that sorry son of a bitch.”
Chapter 8
Evie
“Thank you for taking care of them,” I say to Greer when he settles on the couch beside me. It’s almost ten, and the boys are finally down for the night. He settled them in his guest bedroom with extra pillows and blankets.