Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“I was going to head into town today and sell a few baked goods. They’re having that bake sale in the square. If you don’t have plans, you’re more than welcome to join me.” Her mother hadn’t looked up from the paper when she addressed Jane.
“Actually, Rys and William asked me to hang out at the lake today. If you want, you can come.”
Her mom smirked and finally lifted her eyes to Jane’s. “I was wondering why you were up so early.” Her mom leaned back and brought her mug to her lips. She stared at her over the rim before finally asking, “How are the Holden boys?”
Jane rolled her eyes. “Mom, we aren’t going to start this again, are we?”
“Start what?” She pushed out of her seat and set her empty cup in the sink. The sun came through the window above the little rusted sink and washed her mom in a golden glow. Bridget Silver was only forty-five years old, but the hard life she led with Jane’s father made her look so much older. Lines marred the curve of her mouth and around her eyes, and streaks of gray lined her shoulder-length brown hair. Her mother was a beautiful woman, even though life had not been particularly kind to her, but back in the day, she and Jane could have been twins. She turned and looked at Jane with eyes the same light-blue as hers.
“Mom, we are just friends. We have been for practically my whole life.” A sadness washed over her mother’s face, and Jane sighed. She knew what she was thinking. “After eight years, why do you still think about him?” Charles Silver was her father, but Jane knew a piece of shit when she saw one. One of her mother’s slim shoulders lifted in response.
“Jane”—she sighed—“I know your father was a bad man. I really do, but you also have to see it from my point of view.” She turned back and looked out the kitchen window. “I dated Charles all through high school. He used to be sweet and kind. He was the only man I had ever been with, and when he started gambling all our money away and doing drugs, I knew things would never be the same. He turned into a monster, one who hurt me and you. I can never forgive him for that, ever, but I try to think about all the years he was good to me, to us.” Her mom lowered her head.
“Mom—”
“I don’t expect you to forgive him, because I never will, but he was my first love, Jane.”
Jane exhaled and closed her eyes. If her mother only knew the true horror that was Charles Silver, she wouldn’t be thinking about him that way. This was always the conversation they had about her dad. She knew how much her mom loved him, but there was also a point in life when a woman had to let go of those memories and remember all the wrong that person did. Jane didn’t care if he showered her mother with chocolates and flowers every day.
He had beaten both of them, degraded them, and finally deserted them with a mountain of debt. Jane would take his debt over in a heartbeat if it meant he would never come back. She didn’t know where he was or if he was even still alive. His reputation had ruined her family and scarred both of them. For that, she would never forget or forgive.
“Listen, I don’t want to talk about him, not when you are about to leave. Have a nice time, honey. Okay?” Her mother cupped her cheek and smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. A strange expression crossed her mom’s features. “Those Holden twins are something special, Jane,” she whispered and started to tear up.
“Mom, don’t start crying.”
She shook her head and cleared her throat. “I’m not sad, sweetie. I’m glad you have those two in your life. They were there for you when no one else was, not even me.” Tears started to slip down her weathered cheeks, and Jane reached out to brush them away.
“Please, don’t cry.”
“These are tears of happiness, Jane. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Rys and William will never let you down like your father did.”
Her heart skipped a beat listening to her mother’s words. “Mom, we are just friends.” Her mother patted her on the cheek and turned to leave, but before she left, Jane heard her say, “If you say so, honey. If you say so.”
Chapter 7
Jane laid out her oversized towel and lifted her head when she heard cursing. A smile tugged at her lips when she saw Rys throw a lounge chair on the ground. William was right behind him, his smile wide as he slapped Rys’s back.