Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Oh. My. God. Did I really just say no crazy dreams?
James laughed. “Have you been having crazy dreams we should know about?”
“No!” I shouted, then turned and quickly grabbed a plate. “What are you in the mood for?”
James and Gavin both ogled the meat selection while Declan ogled me. I tried to give him a casual smile, but he wouldn’t stop staring.
When James spoke, I finally dragged my eyes away from Declan.
“I think I’ll have the brisket. I’ll take potato salad and mac and cheese, as well.”
Aurora walked back over with Brystol, who took one look at Gavin and groaned.
“Don’t act like you don’t love seeing me, Bry.”
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, snatching up a plate and glaring at Gavin. “What do you want?”
“Geesh, what terrible customer service. If you don’t mind, I’ll wait for Harper or Aurora to serve me.”
Brystol leaned forward. “I’ll serve, and if you don’t tell me what you want right now, I’m going to shove this fork up your tight ass, Gavin.”
Gavin’s brows shot up as James laughed, and Declan cleared his throat in a sad attempt not to laugh.
“Okay, I’d like to know how you know Gavin’s ass is tight? I mean, beyond the fact he clearly works out,” Aurora mused, looking between Brystol and Gavin.
“Thank you, Aurora,” Gavin purred. “I always did think you were the nicest of the group.”
I frowned. “Hey!”
Gavin looked at me and winked. “You’re the prettiest, Harp.”
“Oh, shut up, Gavin. For once, can you just not flirt with a woman?” Brystol criticized.
Looking up briefly, as if he was genuinely giving it some thought, Gavin finally shook his head. “No, I don’t think I can. It’s built into my DNA. Most women like it, just not the uptight, hard-ass types.”
“You know what?” Brystol said, pointing the knife she suddenly held toward Gavin. “I will cut that pretty boy face if you don’t—”
“Okay, I think that’ll be enough of the knife-wielding, if you don’t mind,” Declan said, as he carefully took the knife from Brystol and handed it to Aurora, who was doing everything she could not to crack up.
Brystol cleared her throat and placed a hand over her chest. “I’m sorry. He just brings out the worst in me.”
Gavin winked at Brystol, and I thought for a moment she was going to jump over the booth and strangle him.
“You realize assaulting an officer of the law is a bad thing, right, Bry?” he teased.
Balling her fists, Brystol narrowed her eyes, and I held my breath for what might come next. But before Brystol could say a word, all three officers’ radios went off. Dispatch recited a code, then an address. For a second, it didn’t sink in whose address it was…then Aurora gasped.
“That’s Hope and Liam’s address.”
Brystol frowned. “What was that code?” When none of the men answered, she turned to Gavin and gave him a pleading look. “Gavin?”
He swallowed. “It’s for an ambulance.”
A look of concern crossed everyone’s faces.
“An ambulance for what?” I asked quietly.
“Hey, guys, how’s it going?” Nathan Banks, Aurora’s older brother, offered everyone a smile. When he noticed all the somber faces, he asked, “What’s going on?”
“An ambulance was just called to Hope and Liam’s house,” Aurora said. “Do you know why?”
Nathan blanched—then looked down at the ground.
“Nate? What’s going on?” Aurora asked.
He exhaled before looking up at his younger sister. “I thought Hope had already spoken to you.”
“She mentioned needing to talk, but every time I try to narrow down a time to talk, she cancels.”
With a pained expression, he glanced around the group. “I’m only telling you this because Liam and Hope have started to tell family and friends. Hope has cancer.”
A round of gasps went up from the small group, and I felt my stomach lurch. “How bad?” I asked.
Tears built in Nathan’s eyes, but he blinked them away. “Stage four lung cancer.”
“What?” Aurora cried. “And you didn’t tell any of us?”
Nathan shot his sister a look. “Liam asked me not to. Hope wasn’t ready to tell anyone. She still isn’t, if I’m being honest. And Liam was going crazy not being able to talk about this to anyone, so he confided in me. It wasn’t my place to tell you at all.”
Brystol’s hands, which had been covering her mouth, dropped to her sides. “Is there anything we can do for her? For Liam? Winnie?”
Nathan gave her a weak smile. “Just prayers. Once they decide to tell people, I’m sure the town will rally around them.”
Aurora sank into a chair, tears rolling down her face. I crouched down and hugged her. “Don’t cry, Aurora. Please don’t cry.”
Nathan made his way around the booth, and Aurora stood, allowing him to pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Aurora. I wanted to tell you, but Hope just wasn’t ready.”
She nodded her head as she wiped her tears. “I understand. But I’m glad you told us.”