Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
His mouth fell open then snapped shut. “That’s bullshit, Liam.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “The crazy thing is, after months of thinking Aurora was trying to take her place with Winnie, Hope told me to lean on Aurora, that she would help with Winnie. I know that she was most likely just upset that she couldn’t take Winnie places, and Aurora stepped in a lot, but so did many other people. She just decided to single out Aurora.”
More guilt because I didn’t have the balls to tell him my wife had picked up on my feelings for his sister.
“Anyway, I made her a promise out of guilt. Now I feel like I’m going back on that promise.”
“Liam, she wasn’t thinking clearly at the end, which is obvious. It was a stupid ass thing to promise and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.”
I nodded.
“She didn’t ask you not to fall in love again, did she?”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. There was no way I was going to tell him that moments before Hope died, she asked me to promise her I wouldn’t fall in love with Aurora. So I lied.
“The opposite. She told me not to be afraid to fall in love again.”
“Have you?”
I shook my head. My reason for dating wasn’t what he thought. “I miss the touch of a woman, but am I ready to date? No.”
“You’ll know when the right woman comes along. You know, you could just hook up with someone one night. It would be nothing but sex.”
I shook my head. “My hand can do the same thing.”
“Dude, I didn’t need that mental picture.”
Laughing, I smiled. “Right now, I have to figure out what to do with Winnie. I don’t want to keep Jake and Opal here any longer. They deserve to get on with their life.”
“I can help out at The Muddled Moose anytime you need me to until you get things straightened out.”
“Thanks, Nathan, I appreciate it. I can work from home, and Jeremy or Alex can keep an eye on things if I’m unable to be there. I’ll figure it out.”
“That’s a great idea. Jeremy and Alex are both great managers. The front and back end are well taken care of with those two.”
The sound of Winnie laughing caused us both to turn and see Jake carrying Winnie. “I’m weady for bed!”
“Nate!” Winnie cried out as she reached for Nathan. He immediately took her and kissed her cheek, causing her to blush and bury her face into his chest. Jake and I both laughed.
I stood. “Do you want Uncle Nate to help put you to bed?”
Winnie nodded. “Rora.”
Nathan looked at me, then back at Winnie. Then he made her a promise I wasn’t sure he could keep. “Aurora will be by soon to visit, I promise.”
Frowning, I shook my head when Nathan glanced back my way. He ignored me and headed out of the kitchen. I followed him up the steps and to her room. After reading to her, I watched my best friend expertly put my daughter to bed then quietly left the room. I walked over and kissed her goodnight, tucking Perry the Moose next to her side. A small bunny that her mother and I had bought for her was on her other side. She said her little prayers and whispered goodnight to Hope.
“Sleep well, my precious angel.”
She smiled and whispered goodnight to me.
I turned on her nightlight and shut her door halfway before returning downstairs. Nathan was at the front door, saying goodbye to Jake and Opal, who were about to leave as well.
“Thank you for getting her ready for bed.”
Opal grinned. “It’s always a pleasure. I see she’s adjusting to her big girl bed.”
“She is! Hasn’t crawled out of it yet.”
Jake laughed, then turned serious. “Make sure the alarm is set each night.”
I crossed my heart. “Will do.”
After I said goodbye and shut the door, I faced Nathan. “Why would you promise Winnie that Aurora would come to visit.”
Nathan shrugged.
“Nate, I can’t have people making promises to Winnie and then her heart be broken in two.”
“Then fucking do something to make up with my sister, Liam. Fucking hell, you’re hardheaded.”
He opened the front door. “You really should go get laid, Liam. You’re too fucking tense.”
And with that, he walked out and quietly shut the door behind him.
I huffed and opened the front door. He was about to get into his car when I yelled out, “Getting laid isn’t going to fix my problems!”
Nathan stopped, looked around, and laughed as he slipped into his car. One quick look across the street, and I saw Mrs. Randall on her porch. Even from where I stood, I could see her mouth hanging open.
Lifting my hand, I waved. “’Night, Mrs. Randall!”
Before she could say a word, I quickly shut my door and made my way into the family room. Jesus, my life was still a mess. I poured a double whiskey and stared at it for a good five minutes before I tossed it back and shut all the lights off. Then I made my way to my bedroom—but not before setting the alarm.