Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Because I know in my heart she isn’t what I want.”
His brows raised. “Is there someone you do want?”
My heart nearly answered for me. “No. At least, not right now.”
He smiled. “You’ll know, Caden. Trust me, you’ll know. It’ll happen when you least expect it, and when it does, you’ll be knocked off your feet.”
“Like you were with Mom?”
“Like I was with your mother. The greatest day of my life, other than the day you kids were born, was the day I laid eyes on that woman. She’s my heart and soul.”
Gatlin’s whistle caused us both to turn and look in his direction. One of the calves had gotten loose, and I wasn’t paying any attention.
“Let’s see how your roping skills are,” my father said with a smirk.
“Is that a challenge, old man?” I asked, as I pulled up my rope.
Before I even knew what was happening, my father took off.
I kicked Draco’s sides and quickly caught up to my father. Unfortunately, he beat me to it, had already roped the calf, and was leading her back toward the pasture gate.
Gatlin laughed as we rode up. “You still got it, Dad.”
“He never lost it!” Uncle Mike added.
After the calf was reunited with her mother, my father turned to us. “Finish up here. Your mother will be expecting everyone up at the house in a few hours.”
It was Christmas Eve, and one of my mother’s favorite days of the year. Ever since I was little, I looked forward to all the traditions that took place on Christmas Eve. Family traditions were something my mother loved, and I knew it was because she’d grown up in a cold family, one that didn’t give her any traditions whatsoever.
“You boys go on back and take care of your horses. I’ve got this,” Uncle Mike said, as he motioned with his hat for the cattle to move on out into the pasture.
Turning to my father, I raised a brow. “Race you back to the barn?”
He laughed. “I would, but I’ve got to talk to your uncle about a few things. You boys go on ahead, and I’ll see you this evening.”
Gatlin and I exchanged a look before calling out our goodbyes to our uncle. As we rode off, my brother looked over his shoulder before asking, “What do you think that’s about?”
I glanced over my own shoulder. “Not sure.”
“What was Dad talking to you about?”
I let out a soft laugh. “Love.”
“Love?” he asked, confused. “Why?”
I sighed. “Apparently, our sisters told Mom about Lilibeth staying with me at the house for a couple days.”
“Oh hell.”
I laughed. “Exactly.”
We rode for a few minutes in silence before Gatlin broke it. “So, did something happen? Ensley and Emeline have been tight-lipped about it.”
I cleared my throat but didn’t say anything.
“Damn it, Caden. I really like Lilibeth.”
When I glared at him, he held up a hand. “Not like that. I think she’s a super-sweet person. I don’t want to see her getting hurt, is all.”
“And you think I’m going to hurt her?”
“I think you’re so far up in your own head that you wouldn’t mean to hurt her…but yeah, I’m worried you’ll hurt her.”
I exhaled a long breath. “Something happened, but we were both very clear about where it would lead.”
“And that is?”
“Nowhere. I was honest with her and told her I wasn’t ready for anything other than casual. We both knew that when the storm cleared our time together would end. We shared a couple great days and that’s the end of it. We’re friends now, and I want to maintain a friendship with her.”
“So, no more fighting like cats and dogs then?”
I shrugged. “I hope not.”
“And you’re going to be okay with seeing her tomorrow?”
My head nearly snapped clean off as I whipped it around to look at my younger brother. “What do you mean?”
“No one told you then? Lilibeth and her parents are coming over for Christmas. Things won’t be awkward, will they?”
“Why should they be?” I asked, even as my gut tightened. “We both went into it with our eyes wide open.”
He nodded. “That’s good then.”
“So tomorrow will be fine. I’m glad they’ll be spending Christmas with us.”
I hoped my brother couldn’t see through that huge lie. In truth, I was worried about seeing Lilibeth again. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her, and every second of those two days we spent together.
Gatlin laughed. “Until Dad breaks out the games.”
I grinned. “Let’s hope they’re a rowdy bunch!”
“Caden, if you eat one more brownie, you’re not going to be able to eat dinner.”
I popped the last of the brownie into my mouth as my mother rolled her eyes.
“Mom, you yourself call them oh-my-God brownies. They’re that addictive.”
She smiled. “I know, but I’d like to keep some for Christmas Day. We’re having guests.”
“I heard,” Emeline said, as she walked up with plates and silverware. “Lilibeth and her parents are coming over. I’m excited!”