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)
I felt a lump form in my throat, and found I was unable to say anything for fear I’d get emotional. Thank God Harper kept it together.
“It was our pleasure, Liam. We had so much fun. We were just talking about maybe being able to come and get Winnie more often. I know Aurora, Cadie, and Brystol will also want to help out.”
A tear slipped down Liam’s cheek, and before I knew what was happening, I’d taken Winnie out of his arms, and Harper was hugging him. He was crying, and it was all I could do to keep my tears at bay.
Jesus H, what in the hell was happening to me? I never cried…and I’d seen some pretty atrocious shit during my time in the Marines.
Liam stepped back and wiped his face. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Liam, you don’t have to apologize. If you ever need a break, I’m happy to stay here with Hope,” I offered.
He nodded. “I could use a break away from everything for a few hours.”
“When was the last time you had some alone time?” I asked.
Liam shook his head as he thought. “I’m not sure. I try to stop in at The Muddled Moose at least once a week or so. Thank God I’ve got two managers I can count on. I could leave my mother with Hope, but to be honest…I don’t trust her. I know that’s a terrible thing to say, but she’s never liked Hope, and the fact that she’s battling cancer hasn’t changed that.”
“Why don’t we do this,” I suggested. “You figure out which day you want to head into work, or take some time for yourself, and Harper and I will come and stay with Hope and Winnie.”
“Why would you do that? I’m sure you’re just as busy yourselves,” Liam said.
Harper reached for his hand. “Because we consider you friends, and we care about all three of you. And it’s not just us; so many people in town want to help, Liam.”
He wiped another tear away and nodded. “Thank you.”
Harper pulled out a card and handed it to him. “This has my cell number. Call anytime, okay?”
Liam took it and pushed it into his back pocket. “Thank you, Harper.”
Handing Winnie back to her father, I smiled as Liam thanked me as well.
“Anytime, dude. Anytime.” I pointed to the car seat sitting on the porch. “I’ll leave this right here.”
Liam cleared his throat. “Thanks. I better get back in. Hope was sleeping, but I want to hear her in case she wakes up.”
“Of course. Take care, and hug Hope for me,” Harper said as she waved to Winnie. “Bye, baby girl!”
Winnie waved and blew kisses, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Once Liam was inside, I took Harper’s hand, and we slowly walked back to her car. Neither of us said a word during the short drive to her place, but I was positive she was thinking of the same things as me—Liam, Hope, and Winnie.
The little family of three that was being torn apart by cancer.
“You seem lost in thought,” James said, as we walked down Main Street. It was something we’d gotten into the habit of doing the last month. We patrolled our respective areas of Moose Village, then met up to walk down Main Street so people were aware of our presence.
Gavin was also on shift today, walking a few feet ahead of us while talking to a kid who was about seventeen. He’d wanted to ask about becoming a police officer, and Gavin was always more than happy to talk. It was another one of the reasons we made an effort to walk along Main, down to The Green. To be more accessible to the residents of Moose Village. It was actually Gavin who’d suggested it, and the chief thought it was a great idea.
“I can’t stop thinking about Liam and Hope Turner.”
James nodded. “I heard you and Harper took care of Winnie last Sunday. It was really nice of you guys to do that.”
I shrugged. “It was all Harper. Brystol and Harper are going back over tonight to spend time with Hope and Winnie, while Liam heads to The Muddled Moose to check on things. Hope’s father will also be there, but the idea is to give them all a break from caregiving.”
“That has to be hard on Hope, as well.”
Nodding, I glanced at James. “I don’t know if I could do it.”
“Do what?” he asked.
“Be strong while watching the woman I love slowly dying.”
“Are things that bad?” he asked quietly.
I rubbed at the instant ache in the back of my neck. “Aurora’s brother told her that the chemo isn’t working like they’d hoped. The cancer isn’t shrinking; it’s actually spreading. Liam and Hope are trying to decide if she should keep going with the treatment, or stop and try to enjoy what time she has left.”