Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
His words make me ache and rage at the same time. “Maybe.” But I’m not enough to make him stay. “Maybe you should have left before…” Before I started to look forward to waking up with his arm stretched across me like he can’t bear not to be touching me, even in his sleep. Before he made me a picnic down by the lake like he would do anything to make me happy. Before he started to feel like part of my life. My happiness.
He nods. “Maybe.”
Maybe if I wasn’t so happy, so rooted at Crompton, if I were more open to traveling, things would be different. Perhaps then he could imagine a life with me. But he’s right to leave. Better now than in a few months, because I can’t imagine what our lives look like together. He doesn’t want to stay and I don’t want to leave.
Where does that leave us but apart?
“You bought Crompton to be closer to your family,” I say. “You won’t come back when you visit them?”
He narrows his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“The reason you bought Crompton,” I say. “Your family—Carole and John, Jacob, Nathan—”
“Yes, I know who my family are. I don’t need an excuse to visit them. I bought Crompton as an investment.”
“Maybe,” I say, although I don’t believe him. Why else would he buy a stately home between London and Norfolk? Then again, why would he need an excuse to visit them? They love him. They don’t treat him like a cousin and a nephew. They treat him like a brother and a son.
“Arizona looks like a good investment, but I don’t think it will happen unless I’m there.”
“And you have no reason to come back.” My voice cracks on the last work, but I shrug, pretending I’m just stating facts rather than feeling sorry for myself. I don’t want to end things on a bad note. I swallow down my sadness and take a breath. “It’s been a blast, Vincent Cove.”
He places his hands on my upper arms. “Yes.”
Yes. That’s all he can manage? I know he’s enjoyed our time together because I know Vincent doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to, and he’s spent every night and all his free time with me. He wanted to do that.
And now he wants to leave.
“Yes,” I say to him. “Bon voyage, my handsome stranger.” I turn and head back to my house. To the place I’ve lived for twenty years and loved my whole life. So long as I’m here, nothing can hurt me.
THIRTY-THREE
Kate
I knock on Granny’s door, my tears dried and resolve hardened. She’s the only person I want to see right now. I go inside and find her at the kitchen table, drinking her tea. The sight of her soothes me, if only just a little.
“Good morning, my darling. I’ve been waiting to hear all your news.”
She thinks I’ve come to tell her about Norfolk. I know she’s beyond proud I actually managed to go.
“I had so much fun.” I kiss her on the cheek and head to the kettle. “Can I get you another?” She shakes her head and I set about making myself a cup. “His aunt and uncle are so lovely. And I met all his cousins. They are all very invested in each other’s lives. They treat Vincent like a brother. And Norfolk. It’s so beautiful, Granny. I saw the sea and even had a little paddle.”
Her eyes are glassy and she takes out a tissue from her sleeve and dabs her eyes. “Happy tears, my darling. Happy tears.”
“I was a little nervous in the helicopter. It’s kinda bumpy. But honestly, once we got there, I didn’t really think about anything but how lovely everyone was and what a beautiful place we were in and how thoughtful and attentive Vincent was.” I pause and try to steady my breathing. I don’t want to lose it. Granny’s so happy to see me happy. I don’t want to ruin it for her. “I thought I’d have some anxiety or trouble sleeping or something, but I was fine. Better than fine. I was happy.”
“I’m so proud of you, my darling.” She clasps her hands together and we grin at each other. “Are you okay? You seem a little…subdued.”
I can’t tell her he’s gone now. “Just a headache,” I manage to get out. I have to figure this out. Find a brave face and slide it on. After all, I knew this was going to happen. He’s just the investor. I kept telling everyone he wasn’t staying. I knew he couldn’t. It’s just…he’d been around long enough for me to get used to.
“Tell me more about Norfolk.”
I didn’t want to talk about the helicopter ride. The firepit. The walk along the beach. I didn’t want to remember the way he’d been so concerned with my happiness. So desperate to make me comfortable he’d framed images of Crompton I could put on my bedside table.