Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
I take a step back and look over to see my father standing there, the box of donuts on the desk and Emmett leaning against the other side of the barn. “Oh my,” I say as my mother comes to me and hugs me around my waist. “What are you guys doing here?” I hug her around her shoulders.
“We came to surprise you.” When my mother looks up at me, her whole face lights up like a Christmas tree. “We’re going to stay with you for a couple of days.” I should be excited my parents are here, but all of a sudden, I want them gone. I don’t want them here when things with Autumn are just starting. The less time she has away from me to think about things, the better it is. “Are you surprised?” she asks.
“You could say that,” I reply and my father comes over to me and slaps me on my shoulder before pulling me to him. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey yourself,” he mumbles.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say, looking at the both of them.
“You called your grandfather last night,” my father starts and now it all makes sense.
“So you guys came to spy on me?” I ask both.
“Of course not,” my mother quickly refutes.
At the same time my father says, “Yup.” He nods. “We want to make sure that you’re okay and that everything and everyone is doing well.”
“I think everyone is doing well and it was just talk.”
“Did you hear about this?” My father looks over at Emmett.
“Sure did,” he confirms, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m surprised he can work since he’s always hooting and hollering with all the gossip in town.” I glare at him.
“You look different.” My mother puts her hands on her hips. “Something is different with you.”
“No, it’s not.” I shake my head.
“Yes, there is.” She turns to my father. “Quinn, do you see it?”
“He doesn’t see anything”—I walk over to the box of donuts—“because there is nothing to see.”
“I see it,” Emmett agrees, and I turn my head. “He looks like less of an asshole.”
“That, I can see,” my father says, slapping my back as he grabs a donut from the box. “So what’s this trouble you are in?”
“I’m not in trouble,” I groan.
“What trouble is this?” My mother looks at me and then my father, the worry all over her face. “What happened, Quinn Barnes? Why did you not tell me any of this?”
“You heard the man, there was nothing to tell.” He bites off another piece of donut. “I was just playing with him.” He full-on just lied to my mother and even she knows that because he avoids looking at her.
“How long are you guys staying?” I ask and my father stares at me.
“Not sure yet.” I inwardly groan. “Is that a problem?”
“Nope,” I lie to them. “No problem at all.” I take a donut, glancing over at Emmett, who is looking down at his boots, laughing and shaking his head.
“Mrs. Barnes, did you see Goldilocks?” Emmett asks, and she shakes her head. “Third stall from the end.” He points down the barn. “Charlie has taken an interest in her.”
“Are you fucking done?” I ask.
“Not even close,” he retorts, walking with my mother to see Goldilocks.
“What’s up with you?” my father asks, looking to make sure my mother can’t hear what he says.
“Nothing,” I lie to him and avoid his eyes, instead taking a bite of the donut. “Just got things on my mind.”
“I heard you threw down with the Cartwrights,” he says, and I nod.
“Things came to light in the last little bit,” I inform him. “I don’t like it.”
“What sort of things?” he asks, and I don’t say anything. “You know that you can’t keep secrets, boy.” He puts his ass against the desk. “So you might as well just tell me what we are dealing with.”
“They have been fucking with Autumn’s family.” I look down the barn to make sure my mother isn’t near me. “Her family is practically bankrupt.” His eyes are shocked.
“The whiskey one?” I nod. “Saw her in town just before,” he shares, and my head turns back so fast it’s a wonder it doesn’t snap off. “She looks like she’s been through it, all right.”
“She has,” I admit, “and I was one of those who put her through it.” He’s about to say something when I lift my hand to stop him from talking. “But I’m not anymore.” It’s his turn to nod his head. “She’s got enough to deal with. She came back to town because her father is dying.”
My father doesn’t say anything, but I see it in his eyes, worry mixed with sadness. “We’ll scope things out, but your mother is right.” He stands back up. “You look different.” I roll my eyes and groan at the same time. “Can’t put my finger on it.”