Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Nope, I don’t know it. I’m going to tell you right now that you’re wrong, Brady Wild. You and I know that life can change in the blink of an eye. You’re stupid to pass on happiness because of what-ifs. Promise me you won’t do that. If she’s the one for you, and you’re crazy about her, you hang on to her. And you bring her here so I can meet her and her amazing daughter. Send me photos. Hell, I might get impatient and have to bring Sierra and Hugh out there to ride some horses.”
“You’re always welcome to come here,” I remind her. “I hope this is the best year of your life, Amy. You deserve it more than anyone I know.”
“Right back at you, Brady. We’ve both earned it. Now, I’m going to go out to breakfast with my fiancé, and I’ll have Sierra call you later.”
“Sounds good. Take care.”
“Bye.”
I hang up and let out a long breath before sipping my tepid coffee. I sit in the silence for a while before getting up to stoke the fire, and then I pad down the hallway, fresh cup of coffee in hand, and open the bedroom door to check on Abbi.
She turns over in the bed and smiles at me sleepily. “Hey.”
“Good morning. I think I got your coffee right. I’ll do better next time.”
She sits up and takes a sip, closing her eyes. “You did great this time. Thanks. I thought I heard you talking to someone out there.”
“Yeah, I call Amy every year on New Year’s morning. We talk sporadically during the year, but this has been a tradition since Dirks died.”
“Oh, I like that tradition.” She smiles and sips, and I reach out to tuck her hair behind her ear. “How is she?”
“She’s great, actually. She got engaged on Christmas.”
“Oh, wow, that’s awesome.” Abbi looks almost as excited as if she got engaged herself, and I can’t help but lean over to kiss her lips. “How did you take the news?”
“I was a little surprised, but I’m really happy for her. She deserves happiness. She asked me to walk her down the aisle.”
“Holy shit. I hope you said yes.”
“Of course, I did.” I take the coffee from her and take a sip of my own. “Now, what would you like to do today?”
“For starters, I need to call and check in with your mom and see how Daisy’s doing. I have no idea where my phone is.”
I laugh and stand, passing the coffee back to her. “I’ll go look for it.”
Her purse is on the floor just inside the doorway where she dropped it last night when I couldn’t take my lips off of her, so I pick it up and take it to her.
“Thanks. It also occurs to me that the only clothes I have is that dress, unless I want to wear this sheet like a toga.”
“Togas are coming back in.”
She smacks my arm and pulls her phone out of her purse.
“No messages or calls, so that’s a good sign,” she says as she taps the screen and then holds the phone up, and it starts to ring on speakerphone.
“Hello, dear,” my mom says in greeting.
“Hi, Joy. Good morning and happy New Year. How’s Daisy today?”
“Oh, she’s great. She’s watching cartoons with Holly and Johnny. Do you want to speak to her?”
“Sure, just for a moment.”
There’s some rustling around and then Daisy’s voice comes out of the phone. “Hi, Mama! I’m having so much fun! We made homemade pizza last night, and today, we had bacon and eggs from eggs that we collected out of the backyard, from chickens! And Grandma made fresh bread for toast. And now we’re watching TV, and Grandma told us that we can stay again tonight. Can I?”
“Uh,” Abbi looks a little stunned at the turn of events. “I’m glad you’re having so much fun, baby, but I should talk to Joy about another night.”
“You can totally talk to her. Okay, bye, Mom! Love you!” The phone is passed, and my mom comes back on the line.
“She’s such a happy child,” Mom says with a chuckle. “I just love her to pieces. Like she said, it’s fine with us if the kids stay another night. I think John is going to take them down to the barn to ride around on a pony, and I thought I’d have them help me make some homemade pasta this afternoon.”
“Are you sure?” Abbi asks before biting her lip. “I’m happy to come get her.”
“I’m sure,” Mom says. “She’s not a bother at all. We love her. You have a fun day, and don’t worry about a thing. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Well, okay. Thanks, Joy.”
“You’re welcome. Tell my son I said hello.”
“Hi, Ma.” I laugh as Abbi turns bright red. “Have a good day.”