Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
My truck navigates around the bend in the road, and the big white farmhouse comes into view. Every few years, Amos and Sienna will repaint the house, she’ll add new plants in front of the railing and then rope Amos into adding something to the landscaping. He’ll do whatever her little heart desires and then get pissed when one of the wild animals wreaks havoc on it.
“What the hell,” I mumble under my breath. Amos is standing by his truck, arms resting on the side, and he’s looking out over the plains. I’d put my foot to the pedal, but all that will do is stir up dust and piss Amos off. He’d have to grade it, and while doing it, he’d cuss me up and down. My phone pings from somewhere in my truck, the noise taking away my attention for a moment. I tossed it in the backseat after loading up the groceries, and I’m sure it’s now under the seat.
I slide my truck beside Amos’ and throw it in Park, not bothering to take the keys out of the ignition, instead choosing to keep the truck running. Now look at me, pulling a damn Sienna from earlier.
“Everything okay?” I check the bed of the truck, expecting something worse with the way he’s deep in thought.
“Yep, taking off for a few days. I’m going to get a hotel in the city, do a little bit of gambling, and take care of the paperwork. I haven’t left this farm for more than a day since my parents passed. Takin’ you up on that offer. Hope you’re good with staying here.” Amos finishes on a long sigh. I’ve told him countless times over the years to get away, do something for himself, we’d take care of everything. He wouldn’t allow it, not even when Sienna was away at college. Now she’s home, off doing whatever it is she has going on, and Amos looks to be at his breaking point. Mom likes to call it burn out from working too much. Dad says it’s time to get away when Mom gets the lost look in her eyes. They head up to the cabin for the weekend, and both come back refreshed.
“It’s about fuckin’ time. How long you been waiting to ask? Months, years, a damn decade?” I grunt out the question. Amos doesn’t respond for a beat. I sit in silence with my best friend. He’ll figure out what he’s going to say. In the meantime, I prop myself up on the side of the truck and make a plan of my own. My thoughts have a mind of their own, thinking about being under the same roof as Sienna for a night, let alone a few. Never when we were together before did I have the option to see her in the morning light. Looks like I’ll be getting the chance to now, and maybe she’ll even drop more than her towel for me. Maybe she’ll drop the shield she’s been using to keep me away.
“Too damn long. You good to stay here for a week?” Amos asks.
“You could take a month, and I’d do this for you.” We look at one another. He lifts his chin, appreciating what I’m doing for him.
“Then I’m out of here. I’ll shoot Sienna a text to let her know. She should be home around eight or so. Don’t expect dinner. Whatever she’s doing lately has her leaving early in the morning and coming home late at night.” Him giving me this intel is fucking with my head. Before, he’d keep Sienna under lock and key. Right now, he’s being a wealth of information. Which is damn odd.
“Alright, we’ll figure shit out. I’ve got her number, and she’s got mine.”
“Yeah, and you think she’s gonna pick up for you. She barely answers my calls. We’ve resorted to texts. You and I are a lot alike, being tethered to a damn device while waiting for an answer,” Amos grumbles.
“We’ll be fine, one way or the other. You heading out?” I ask.
“Yep, loaded up. The animals are good until this evening. You know what to do, you know who to call. Anyone but me.” Amos is really doing this, thank fuck. The man is liable to work himself into an early grave.
“Got that right. Have a good time. I’ll go home real quick, grab what I need to, and come back over. The house unlocked?” He nods his head. His hand comes out for me to shake, and I pull him in for a hug.
“Have fun. Don’t worry too much,” I say as we pull apart.
“Good luck.” We each head to our trucks, loading ourselves in the driver’s seat, and I follow him down the road. When we reach the end, he goes left, and my phone ringing stops me from going right. I slam my truck in Park. No way I’ll be able to search for it while driving down the road. A quick search, and I find it on the floorboard of the passenger seat. Fucker must have slid a long way to get there.