Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“Yes. I didn’t know you had one of those,” I replied, glancing over toward where the sound was coming from. I didn’t see the Alexa box though.
“It’s hidden behind the poinsettias,” she replied. “I don’t like the look of the thing, but I can’t live without it. When it’s time to get groceries, ask her for the list. I tell her to add things to it all the time. She’s a right helpful little thing.”
“All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey began to play over the hidden speaker.
“I didn’t realize it did that too,” I replied.
We had never had one in our home. My father was convinced the government controlled them and listened in on homes that had them. If anything, they were listening in on our phones. But I never argued that with him. I never argued anything with him. I had done my best to stay away from the man.
“Oh, yes. It also tells me the weather. I don’t know how I ever lived without it.”
I was going to ask it questions later. She had me intrigued.
“I have your hot water ready. Would you like me to make your tea?”
Glenda nodded. “Yes, please. I like to drink it in the sunroom,” she told me. “I’d carry it in there myself, but the last time I tried, I spilled it and burned my hand terribly.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” I assured her. “I will have it right out.”
“Did you sleep all right? Was the bed comfortable?”
I wanted to laugh at that question. After where I’d been sleeping, any bed would have been comfortable. “It was wonderful. I haven’t slept that well in months,” I told her. It was more like years, but she didn’t need my backstory.
Her smile grew. “That’s good. If you need extra blankets or different pillows, just let me know.”
“Everything is perfect,” I assured her.
She nodded, seeming pleased, then turned to walk back out of the kitchen. I finished up the last pancake, then went to make her pot of tea.
Four
Kash
“I’m not fucking sharing with you so you can order three different things off the menu. Pick one and eat it,” Forge said to Gathe, not looking up from his menu.
“I can’t pick just one. Saylor and I always share,” Gathe grumbled. “Kash? You want to share?”
“I hate mushrooms,” I told him. “And I don’t like the sound of the Sicilian sausage spaghetti.”
Gathe sighed heavily. “Fine. I’ll just take home the leftovers.”
“I’d have thought by now that you’d be used to ordering meals without Saylor,” Forge said as he put the menu down on the table and looked at Gathe.
Saylor had always been Crosby’s girl, growing up, but everyone knew Gathe was her best friend. When Crosby had been killed and his secret came out—in the form of a baby momma who was not Saylor—I kind of thought she might end up with Gathe. I thought we all did. But instead, she had caused the local Catholic priest to sin, and Father Jude was no longer ordained. He was in the family business and engaged to Saylor.
Gathe shrugged. “I normally get someone to share with me if Saylor and Jude aren’t here.”
I glanced out the window across the street toward the church that sat up on the hill. I wondered if it felt odd for Jude to eat here with that view. Did he ever feel guilty?
My eyes scanned the rest of Main Street. It had been a while since I’d been in town. I’d already been home a little over a week. Time was moving too fast. I wanted it to slow the fuck down. When Christmas was over, I would have to leave, and I didn’t want to. I wanted this life back. My depressing thoughts ceased as my gaze locked on the redhead. Long copper locks hung in a thick, wavy mass with lighter streaks running through it. I’d fucking know that hair anywhere.. My eyes dropped to her waist and ass. The sway of it, the shape, it was burned into my memory.
Cressida. She was in Madison. Why? How long? Did the family know? Why did I fucking care?! She was the reason I’d been sent away. She was the cause of all my problems. But then she always had been. From the moment I’d laid eyes on her, she had caused me nothing but turmoil. No, that wasn’t true. I wanted it to be but it was a lie I told myself in order to keep sane.
Tearing my eyes off her before Gathe or my brother noticed who I was looking at, I set down the menu and tried to breathe normally, although my lungs were burning. Had I been holding my breath? Fuck, my hands were trembling. Jesus! It had been four years. What the hell was my problem?
The waitress appeared at the table, and I knew I needed to be alone and get myself together before my brother or Gathe realized something was wrong with me.