Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
It’s not often my brothers and I fight, but this one had to happen. I can take my share of blame, but the fact he never told me what he did is what really sets me off. If he had, I could have rectified it, and things would have been different for us when she moved back.
“You didn’t have to say anything,” she mutters, gaze on the table now.
“Yeah, I did.” The words come out firm. “All this time I thought you walked away without saying goodbye, and it fucking ate at me. Even more now knowing how you must have felt. You deserved the truth and so did I. I’m sorry.”
She shrugs like she wants to brush it off, but the tremor in her fingers betrays her.
It matters. We both know it.
Before either of us can say more, a high-pitched voice cuts across the terrace. “Linc!”
My head snaps to the side, a grin tugging at my mouth at the little girl darting between tables, her dark ponytail bouncing with every step. “There she is…”
Harlow twists in her chair, brows knitting as she follows my gaze.
“You made it!” The little girl launches into my lap, her tiny arms wrapping tight around my neck like a koala on caffeine.
I grunt at the impact, my laughter following as I pull her in. “Sure did. How’s the prettiest girl in Glacier County?”
“Good.” She pulls back with a smile, the motion exposing what her smile can’t hide—the scars.
The puckered, uneven skin runs down one side of her face, tracing along her neck before vanishing beneath the collar of her dress. A permanent reminder that I wasn’t fast enough.
Still, she beams up at me, wide and fearless, as if pain never touched her.
“What are you still doing up?” I ask, bouncing her on my knee. “Shouldn’t you be drooling on a pillow somewhere?”
She giggles into her hand, the sound all sunshine and mischief. “Nǎinai and Yéye said you were coming, so they let me stay up late.”
The pride in her voice is unmistakable. “Lucky me.”
Over her shoulder, Harlow watches us, a quiet smile playing at her mouth.
“Julie, there’s someone I want you to meet.” I turn her forward. “This is my friend…Harlow. Harlow, meet Julie.”
Harlow falters at the scars, but recovers quickly, her smile blooming with a warmth that lands bone deep.
“Nice to meet you, Julie.” She leans in, offering her hand. “You have a beautiful name.”
Julie beams at the compliment. “Thanks! I like yours too.” She swivels back to me, suspicion narrowing her eyes. “Is she your girlfriend?”
Leave it to a six-year-old to be blunt as hell… I like it.
My gaze snags Harlow’s across the table as I answer. “I want her to be.”
Her head dips, a shy smile curving her lips before my gaze falls to Julie. “Think you can put in a good word for me?”
She pats my shoulder like a tiny boss. “I’ll do my best. No promises, though.”
Harlow laughs, fully charmed.
Mr. and Mrs. Chow approach our table then, carrying that easy warmth they always have. Two people I hadn’t known until a year ago, when a fire nearly took everything from them, including their granddaughter.
My hardest call. The one I’ll never forget.
I shift Julie in my arms and stand.
“Linc,” Mr. Chow greets first, offering a handshake. “Glad you could make it.”
I grip his hand firmly. “Appreciate you fitting us in on such short notice.”
Mrs. Chow steps in then, her smile gentle as she pulls me into a hug. “It’s the least we could do.”
They say that like they owe me something. They don’t.
I gesture toward Harlow as I sit again. “This is my date, Harlow.”
“Who he wants to be his girlfriend,” Julie adds, earning a ripple of laughter around the table.
Harlow winces sheepishly, lifting a hand. “That’s me.”
Mrs. Chow greets her with a hug. “Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Harlow.”
Harlow answers warmly. “You too. Your restaurant is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Mrs. Chow smiles up at her husband, a trace of sadness hidden within. “It’s been our dream for a long time. After the fire…it reminded us life’s too short to wait.”
Mr. Chow nods, sliding an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “That’s right. And we owe it all to this man right here.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Sure you did,” Julie counters, looking up at me. “You saved me, didn’t you?”
The pride and trust in her voice hit square in my chest.
“My best save to date.” My voice comes out rougher than it did a second ago.
Across the table, Harlow watches, her expression soft and unreadable.
Mr. Chow clears his throat then, breaking the moment. “Well, we’ll let you two enjoy your night. Just wanted to say hello.”
“I’m glad you did. Thanks again for the table.”
Mrs. Chow pats my shoulder. “Next time, our house. We’ll cook for you.”
“I’d like that.”
Julie gives me one last squeeze, cheek pressed against my chest. “See ya!”