Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
I wait for the horse to talk to me, but instead, I get on her, and it feels like it was yesterday. I kick her in gear and make my way to the house that helped shape me into the man I am. I see the barn right away and notice that Quinn is on his horse right next to Keith, who just stares at me. I slow down when I get to the barn. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey,” Quinn says while Keith just stares at me. “I’m surprised she let you ride her,” he says of the horse. “She bucks off everyone but my dad.”
“Well, I guess I’m special,” I say, walking her to the stall I always used to put her in. I look around the barn and notice it’s triple the size inside now. “This place is massive.” I put her in her stall, get her some water, and then make my way over to the house. I walk up the back steps and hesitate. I’m not sure if I should knock or just walk in like I always did.
I put my hand up, and I’m about to knock when the door swings open, and I come face-to-face with Billy, who looks a little thinner than he did five years ago, but he’s still wearing the same old cowboy hat. Tears well up in his eyes when he sees me. “My boy,” he says, putting his hands on my face and pulling me to him. This man taught me everything that made me who I am. He taught me to shoot, which is why I’m the best sniper and got into the Delta Force. I was that one percent that was the best in my category. “Glad to see you home,” he says, and then I hear another voice from somewhere inside.
“What is all the fuss about?” She comes to the door, wearing her usual apron while she wipes her hands. “Oh my god,” she says when she sees me. “Is it really you?” she asks, shoving Billy away from me. “Oh my lord,” she says, tears running down her face. “I’ve prayed for this moment,” she says, grabbing my cheeks in her hands and bringing me down to her. “Every single night, I prayed to see you just one more time so I could tell you how much I love you,” she says, kissing my cheeks. I wrap my arms around her as she cries. “I can’t believe it.”
“Grandma!” I hear yelling from the house. “I think the pies are ready.”
“Oh!” She pushes away from me. “Don’t you dare think about leaving here without eating. You better go wash your hands and get your behind in that chair.” She points at the chair, and I see her glaring at me.
I look over at Billy, who wipes tears from his eyes. “I wouldn’t mess with her.”
“I’ve been to active war zones,” I let slip, and he looks at me with shock, “yet the look she just gave me is scarier.”
“You serve our country?” he asks, and I just nod. “Thank you for your service.” He comes closer to me. “Just for today, let’s not tell her, shall we?”
“Will do.” I laugh and look over at him as he just looks at me.
“God, it’s good to see your ugly mug,” he says in almost a whisper.
“It’s good to be home,” I say, nodding. “Not sure if it’s actually good. So far, it’s been far from good.”
“You left people behind without looking back. It’s not going to be easy.” He shakes his head and squeezes my shoulder. “It’s a two-way street. Just as much as you were hurt, you hurt the ones you love the most.”
“I know,” I say. Looking down, I’m not ready to think about it.
“It’ll work itself out.” He folds his arms over his chest.
“I’m not sure about that,” I say, feeling the pressure in my chest.
“It has to. It’s how family works.” I nod at him. “Now, let’s get in there before she loses it again.” We walk in the house, and it’s almost the same. There are just more family pictures on the walls and scattered around the house. I walk to the kitchen, and I’m shocked that Chelsea is here.
“Hey,” I say. She avoids my eyes and looks at Charlotte.
“Is there much more to do, or can I go ride?” she asks, and Charlotte just smiles. “Thanks, Grandma, and I promise I’ll be here tomorrow bright and early to help you prepare.”
“Last time you did that, you drank some of Grandpa’s sweet tea.” She puts her hands on her hips. She is so beautiful and sassy, just like Mom. She shrugs her shoulders and walks to Charlotte, giving her a hug. “Love you.”
She gives her a hug and walks over to Billy, who whispers something in her ear, and she just laughs. She walks out of the house without saying a word to me. I look at my grandparents and then look at the door. “I’ll be right back,” I tell them, walking out the door and calling her name. “Chelsea.” She ignores me just as I knew she would, and I jog to catch up with her. “I’m talking to you,” I say. She turns, and I see the tears running down her face.