Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“I have to get the kids,” Ms. Summer says, looking at me. “I gave her a couple of worksheets to do at home and return on Monday.” I nod and then look down at Lucy.
“Thank you so much,” I reply, and the two of us walk out of the school.
“Do you want to get some lunch?” I ask once we are back in the truck, and I see it’s a little after noon. “You’re probably hungry.” I look in the rearview mirror at her as she looks out at the school. “Did you like Ms. Summer?”
She nods, and I feel somewhat better, but I would really love to hear her talk to me. We pull up to the bakery, which has started serving lunch specials. Nothing big, some wraps and sandwiches. Bagels are a big thing there now, but they sell out by two o’clock. When we get there, I’m not shocked that it’s starting to fill up. I look behind the counter to see if Ms. Maddie or her daughter, Everleigh, are in, but I don’t see either of them.
“Do you want a bagel or a sandwich?” I ask, and she looks at the display case where the wraps are displayed and then looks at the bagel, pointing at one. “With cream cheese?” I ask, and again she nods. I order two of the same thing and then order the four wraps they have that she wanted to try but was too scared to ask me. I pay for the order and move to the side to wait for the cashier to bring me the bag. The door opens, and I make the mistake of looking over my shoulder and see Lilah come in, except she isn’t by herself. She’s with Caleb, who is saying something to make her laugh. She must feel me staring at her because her eyes meet mine in surprise, no doubt. She’d never expect to see me here, especially at lunch, since I usually just grab something on the go at the barn.
She stops near us, and I see Lucy look at her, and her eyes light up. “Lucy,” Lilah says as if she hasn’t seen her for a week. “I never thanked you for my donut.” She smiles at her. “You left it on my desk, and it was such a nice surprise.” Lucy smiles up at her. “Did you go to your new school?” she asks, and Lucy nods. “I want to hear all about it.” She looks at Caleb. “How about I come and find you when I get back from lunch? We can go visit the horses.” She nods ferociously, then finally looks at me. “If that’s okay with your dad.”
“That’s fine.” I look back down at Lucy. “Let’s get our lunch and leave Lilah to her date.” I put my hand on her shoulder and usher her out of the bakery. I push the door open, holding it on top to have Lucy walk out before me, taking one last look at Lilah, wishing she was coming with us.
Chapter Ten
LILAH
I watch them walk out of the bakery, wishing for some stupid reason that he had asked me to join them. “It’s our turn,” Caleb says from beside me, and I look back at him, feeling like the biggest asshole.
“Oh, sorry.” I shake my head and smile at the girl behind the counter. “I’ll have the turkey and bacon wrap,” I say, “and a lemonade.” I start to pull my wallet out of my purse when Caleb pushes my hands away.
“This may not be a date, but you aren’t paying for lunch.” I roll my eyes at him. “Go find us a seat. I’ll get everything and come find you.”
I think about arguing with him, but instead, I just turn and head toward the seating area, seeing it full. “We can eat outside,” I suggest. “There is a picnic table in the shade.” I point out the window to the side, and Caleb nods.
Pushing open the door, I head toward the lone picnic table sitting under the trees. Taking out my phone, I find Courtney texted me again.
Courtney: Change of plans. I’ll be at your work at five to go out and have a drink at Thatcher’s.
Me: I’ll meet you there.
Courtney: I don’t believe you, so if I come and get you, there is no reason for you to bail on me.
I laugh at her reason.
Me: I’ve never bailed on you before.
Courtney: There is always a first time. This way, you have no excuse. See you at five, Buttercup.
Me: Twist my arm.
Courtney: Done, see you at five.
I put my phone down when I see Caleb walking toward me with a tray in one hand and the drinks in the other. “They only had strawberry lemonade left,” he informs me. “I hope that’s okay.”