Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 106538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
“You know what would be cool?”
“What?” Her eyes get nearly as big as her smile.
“If someday, you, me, and your dad flew somewhere special. Just the three of us.”
She bites her lower lip, and I see the worry winning. It’s heartbreaking.
“Not today. When you’re ready, and you will be. We need to decide where we’re going to celebrate when that day comes because you, my dear”—I playfully grab her chin—“are a caterpillar shedding your skin, growing and growing, and one day you’re going to be—”
“A butterfly.” Her whole face lights up.
I fight the burning emotion in my eyes. “A beautiful butterfly.”
Chapter Forty
Ozzy
Yet again, I’m in a pickle.
I’m mad that Lola rode her bike to Maren’s house, but I’m grateful to Maren for suggesting Lola spend the day with her.
“Your daughter is such a joy.”
I glance up while removing my helmet. When I pulled into the driveway, I missed Aaron sitting on the porch swing with reading glasses low on his nose and a book on his lap.
“Yes. She’s quite joyous when she’s not sneaking out of the house.” I chuckle.
Aaron nods, removing his glasses. “She reminds me so much of Maren.”
“Yeah?” I climb the porch stairs and lean my shoulder against the post.
“Maren used to push all the limits. Question everything. And she tried to grow up too quickly. And the eye-rolling . . .”
I laugh. “I swear Lola’s eyes will roll right out of her head someday. Everything warrants the utmost drama.”
“Maren used to stick her tongue out and razz me so much, I threatened to cut the thing out of her mouth.” Aaron shakes his head.
I smile because I like imagining young Maren.
“She and her brother were thick as thieves. And when we lost him, I worried that we’d lose her too. Maybe not physically, but emotionally. For a while, her light was gone. And we got used to her not being fully herself. After all, we’ve never been the same since losing Brandon. Looking in the mirror, you see a different version of yourself without that person. And it can take a long time to feel like life has given you enough joy to fill that void.
“But you and Lola have done that for Maren. And despite her nearly losing her life a month ago, I haven’t seen my daughter look this alive since before Brandon died. So I want to thank you for taking a chance on my daughter. I know you’re protective of Lola, so your decision to let Maren into your life could not have come easily.”
I drop my head, staring at my dirty boots, one crossed over the other. “Loving your daughter has been effortless. Frighteningly so.” I shake my head. “And she has breathed life back into Lola and me. But I feel like I’m asking too much of Maren to patiently wait while I help Lola work through her issues from her mother dying.”
“I think you’re underestimating both of our daughters.”
I lift my gaze to Aaron’s crooked grin.
“Lola brings the really good stuff out of Maren, and I think Maren does the same to Lola. I advise you to step aside and let the women in your life work through things together. You’re spending too much time worrying that Maren will die and break Lola’s heart or that Lola’s slow recovery will hold Maren back from living her dreams. I promise you, those girls aren’t half as worried as you are.”
I think about his wise words and return a slow nod. “You could be right.”
“I am.” He slides on his reading glasses. “They were picking out paint colors because they decided on their own that Lola needs a room in this house.”
I smile, and it feels incredible. “Thank you,” I say.
Aaron glances up at me over his glasses. “For what?”
“For helping bring Maren into this world.”
Aaron returns his attention to the book, but not without a content smile settling on his face.
I open the front door, and Lola’s gaze shoots to mine. She’s playing a card game on the floor with Maren’s mom.
Lola taps her finger to her lips. “Shh. Maren’s upstairs sleeping.”
Colleen glances over her shoulder and smiles. “She should probably wake up soon, so she’ll sleep tonight. Unless she has a late-night visitor.” She smirks. Luckily, it goes over Lola’s head.
I remove my boots and head toward the stairs. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Colleen returns a drawn-out “Mm-hmm.”
Maren’s on her side, hugging a pillow, hair fanned out over the other pillow and lips parted as she softly snores.
I crawl sideways onto the bed and rest my cheek on Maren’s legs.
She exhales a long breath and soft hum, teasing her fingers through my hair. “She redeemed herself, so you don’t have to ground her.”
I grin. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“It’s getting ready to rain. I have to go. But I’ll consider your recommendation.”