Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 117740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
“And she was safe,” I replied, dropping my chin. “She text Isa at midnight saying she was fine, but that was it.”
“There you are, then. Rose was only taking care of herself—if we all did that when we needed it, maybe self-care wouldn’t be seen as such a selfish thing.”
“I know. I understand. I just…” I sighed again, meeting Mum’s understanding gaze. “Selfishly, I wanted her to listen to me.”
“And those feelings of yours are just as valid as hers,” she replied. “And they’re not selfish, either. You simply wanted different things at the same time. Perhaps, now, she’s ready to hear you out reasonably.”
“Mother, Rose is not reasonable.”
“Yes, but that’s part of her charm, isn’t it?” She grinned, finishing her tea. “Let me know when you find her, won’t you? I need to come and see how badly you screw this up.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” I replied dryly. “You could try and be more supportive of your son as he faces getting his heart broken.”
“You’d need a heart for that, sweetie.”
“Mother!”
33
* * *
ROSE
Bertha, I Choose You!
Isat cross-legged on my bedroom floor, stark naked, staring at myself in the mirror.
I could do this.
I could get dressed, go to the allotments, and be an adult today. Everyone needed me. We would need to arrange contractors and handymen to help us dismantle the sheds and greenhouses, plus find new homes for them all.
Even if they were given away, it was better than leaving them there to rot.
Or be smashed by building equipment. Whatever.
Even if it broke my heart every single day, I could do this. I had to do this. I’d had my night of wallowing in self-pity, feeling sorry for myself while crying in the bathtub of a nice hotel, and now I had to be the adult I was.
I couldn’t hide forever.
I also knew I’d have to see Oliver at some point. I sincerely hoped it wouldn’t be today because I was liable to hop a fence to escape him, but if he showed up, then he showed up.
As long as he didn’t expect me to be nice.
He was no longer ‘Oliver.’ And I would no longer allow him to call me ‘princess.’
It was Your Grace and Miss Matthews.
He’d made it so.
Anything personal between us had died the moment he’d signed his name on the dotted line, and this time, I meant it.
I would not fold. I would not give in. I would not let that man seduce his way into my knickers again.
My knickers were off-limits.
With that resolve in mind, I got up and got dressed. I threw on a t-shirt and pair of cycle shorts—I needed to be able to jump a fence without flashing everyone if necessary.
I, Rose Matthews, was prepared for anything today.
I sorted my hair, snapped a hairband on my wrist to shove it up later, and grabbed all my shit.
I can do this.
I can do this.
I repeated the words with every step, almost like a mantra. That was my motto today. I can do this. No matter what was going to be thrown my way, I could handle it. I could deal with it.
Broken heart be damned.
“Rose? That you, darlin’?”
I paused at the sound of my dad’s voice. “What are you doing home?”
“It’s nice to see you, too, daughter,” he replied, his green eyes twinkling. “Are you going to the allotments?”
I leant against the door frame and nodded. “Need to get everything sorted.”
“Want me to come with you? I can lend a hand if anything needs moving.”
That was true. The man was built like a brick shithouse.
Ten of them, actually.
Yet I hadn’t seen him work out in three years. The only hint of it was the occasional weight moving in the garage.
It was one of life’s mysteries.
“Nah, it’s fine. We just need to coordinate more than anything.”
“All right, love. Will that man show up today?”
I held my hand out and wobble it side to side.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come? I’ll beat him up for you.”
I smiled. That was my dad. Anyone who hurt me was in line for a beating. It didn’t matter who they were—brother, boyfriend, even the duke.
“Please,” I said dryly. “As if I can’t beat him up myself. If he pisses me off, I’ll give him a swift kick and punch to the nose, just like you taught me.”
He nodded. “Atta girl. Don’t forget, if anyone grabs you from behind—”
“Step on their foot and shove my elbow into their gut.”
“Then call Dad to finish the job and take the blame.” He winked at me, then paused. “You sure you’re all right, kiddo?”
“Yeah.” I smiled sadly. “You know me, Dad. There’s nothing I can’t get over.”
“Ain’t just about the allotments, though, is it? We ain’t idiots, Rose. We know you weren’t at Isa’s.”
“I was at Isa’s.”