Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
He shrugs. “I know we’re good, but I hate seeing you like this.”
I unlock my hands. “Like what?”
He gestures to me. “Grumpy I can handle. Even when you’re being an asshole, I can handle that. But I can’t handle it when you’re sad.”
I don’t even try to deny it. “I am sad, but I’m hoping that eventually she’ll reach out to me.”
He hesitates. “Uh, so you’re still trying…”
His voice trails off, and I know he thinks I’m pathetic. “Well, she’s blocked my number. I’ve stayed in touch with her sister, but even her sister isn’t answering my calls now.”
“That’s tough, brother.”
I nod. “Yeah, it sucks. I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem I couldn’t throw money at and fix.”
He points at the grill. “I need to check on the food. Want to join me?”
Without answering, I gesture for him to go, and I follow him.
We talk for a few minutes when Bree joins us. Seeing her and my brother together and how happy they are, I can’t help but smile.
“What is it?” Logan asks me.
I just shrug. “Nothing.” I take a deep breath and then start to ramble. “I mean, you all are really happy, aren’t you?”
Bree looks at Logan, and they smile at each other before she looks at me. “Yeah, we are.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Well, I’m glad you two found each other. Some people spend years wanting something they can’t have.”
I chat with the two of them, but when my phone rings and the caller ID says Lindsey, I walk away. “Hello?”
I let out a breath when I hear Lindsey’s voice. It’s really her, but she doesn’t sound the same. “Are you okay?”
She hesitates. “I uh, I’m sorry, but I didn’t have anyone else to call.”
I shake my head. “No, I told you to call me if you ever needed me. Tell me where you are.”
She lets out a breath. “I’m at Red’s Diner.”
“I’m on my way,” I tell her. I hang up the phone and walk by Bree and Logan. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go.”
Logan asks me, “Is everything okay?”
I look at my brother. “Yeah. Everything’s okay. Or it’s going to be. Just something I’ve been waiting on.”
I call out to the rest of the family that I have to go and wave as I walk out to my car. Mike’s off today, so I drive myself across town to Red’s Diner.
Something’s wrong with Lindsey. I could hear it in her voice. I step on the gas harder, determined to get to her.
CHAPTER 9
LINDSEY
Violet sets a tea cup in front of me. “This is for you. When Eli wakes up, I’ll get him some cocoa.”
I lift the drink to my lips and sip at it. “Thank you for listening to me… and the tea.”
Violet, the owner of Red’s Diner, nods her head and looks at me sadly. “Of course, honey. I’m happy to, but what else can I do?”
I blow out a breath, and before I can answer, she asks, “How long has it been since you slept?”
I shrug, looking down at Eli in my arms. He’s too big for me to carry, but he hasn’t left my side in four days. “I haven’t been able to sleep. I know I need to, but I feel like if I do, the Davenports are going to swoop in and take him from me.”
Violet grits her teeth. “Honey, they can’t just take him. He’s yours.”
I raise my hand and wipe at the tear rolling down my cheek. “You don’t know the Davenports. They think they can do whatever they want.”
She gestures to my phone that is lying on the table between us. “Did you call Miller?”
I nod. “I did. But I can’t blame him if he doesn’t come.”
Violet laughs softly. “He’ll come. Miller is one of the good ones.”
I would probably be jealous if I didn’t know that Violet is happily married to the running back for the Jasper Eagles. “He may be a good man, but I doubt he’s going to want to get mixed in with all this.” I lean my head back. I shouldn’t have called him. I was at a weak moment, but I shouldn’t have called him. I’m doing the one thing I told him I wouldn’t do. I’m using him… but I don’t have a choice.
“Miller is a grown man. Let him decide what he wants to get mixed up in.” She leans toward me and whispers, “Honey, this is Whiskey Run. The whole town knows he’s in love with you. The delivery guy from Sugar Bakery was in here talking about how he’s bringing you coffee every morning. The flower shop has been busy with orders going to your apartment, and everyone heard about the tires.”
Guilt eats at me. “Yeah, he wanted another date. Not… this.”