Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
He took my face in his hands and wiped the pads of his thumbs along my wet cheeks. “I can’t bring them back. But if you give me the chance, I’ll make everything else right. Can you give me that chance?”
I couldn’t hear my own thoughts around Isaac. My heart always beat too loudly, too quickly. With him so close to me, there weren't thoughts, only feelings. “Yes,” I whispered.
“Go in the house. It’s hot,” Isaac said as I watched him put Anakin in the barn.
“I’ll wait.”
He grinned. “Matt is in Michigan. My dad is probably on a horse somewhere or covered in grease fixing a tractor. And if my mom is inside, she'll be thrilled to see you.”
I relinquished a tiny nod, retrieved my bags and guitar from the truck, and sulked toward the house. Why would Violet be thrilled to see me? I broke Matt’s heart. Did falling in love with Isaac make up for that? After all, she did say she hoped he’d find a nice girl like me.
Maybe we’d bond over our commonality: we were cheaters.
But I wasn’t supposed to know that. I promised Isaac we would never discuss it again, not with each other nor anyone else.
“Hey, young lady.”
I turned just before reaching the front door.
Violet walked toward me in her overalls, boots, and a basket of eggs hooked over her arm. She set it down and hugged me.
“Hi.” I stiffened as she hugged me.
She rested her hands on my shoulders, holding me at arm’s length. “You need to go home. Your mom is beside herself, missing you something fierce.”
I returned a sad smile.
“Your dad misses you too.” She winked, releasing me and grabbing the basket.
I followed her into the house.
“I suppose Isaac told you we’re moving to North Carolina.”
“He did.” I toed off my shoes and set my stuff by them.
“We’re building a cabin in the mountains outside of Ashville.” She sounded excited. “It would be a fresh start after years of running this ranch.” She breathed a contented sigh while setting the basket on the counter and washing her hands. “Lord knows we need a fresh start.”
“I’m sure you’ll love it.” I tried to infuse enthusiasm into my words.
It was awkward talking about them moving because they had to sell the land to give Isaac his half. And surely, she assumed I knew why Isaac owned half the land.
“What about you?” She dried her hands.
“We’re … I’m …” I fumbled my words. “Nashville. I want to live in Nashville so I can sing.”
Violet’s smile was genuine, unlike mine. She seemed at peace with everything. Perhaps it was an act, and if so, it was a good one. “I know you’ll be a star. And you’ll only be a five-hour drive from us and even less to come back here to visit your parents.” Violet retrieved a cutting board from the drawer and dumped a bowl of potatoes into the sink.
She made it all sound so normal like my friends didn’t die, no one cheated on anyone, and my dad hadn’t kicked me out of his house.
“Yeah,” I murmured.
“Are you staying for dinner? I could invite your family over.”
“No,” I said quickly.
Violet paused, lifting her head.
I folded my hands behind me, pressing my lips together while cringing. “Sorry. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the offer, but I don’t think a group dinner should be my first face-to-face encounter with my parents in over six weeks.”
“Of course. When are you heading home? Will you be staying for dinner?”
“Um …”
Isaac opened the back door and removed his boots. The second he peeked around the corner, Violet dropped the knife and headed straight to him for a hug. He had his bag over his shoulder and his guitar in his right hand.
“I missed you.”
“You too,” he said.
He had as much right (if not more) to be mad at his parents as I did to be mad at mine. Yet, he felt comfortable walking into his childhood home. He didn’t hesitate to hug his mom.
Was he demonstrating his age and maturity, or was I an awful daughter who feared going home?
“Let’s take our stuff upstairs,” Isaac said, winking at me.
“Of course, you are welcome to stay in Matt’s room, but I really hope you go home and let your family see you,” Violet said, cutting the potatoes.
“We’ll take the temperature of that water after dinner,” Isaac said, nodding to my stuff. “For now, let’s take our things upstairs.” He set his bag and guitar in his room and turned just as I set my stuff down. “Matty’s room.” He nodded behind me.
I gawked as he carried my stuff to Matt’s room.
“So much for being adults,” I mumbled.
Isaac chuckled after depositing my stuff on the floor at the foot of the bed. “We won’t be here long. No need to rock the boat.”