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)
I thought about the first time I ever saw Lilibeth. She wore two braided pigtails with flowers wound into her hair. Her beautiful hazel eyes sparkled with joy as she smiled at me, and the way it felt like I couldn’t breathe was something I wasn’t used to. I think a part of me knew in that moment that she was special.
“Something tells me the look on your face says maybe you felt something the first time you saw Lilibeth?” Mom asked.
I nodded. “I did feel something, and at the time I tried like hell to ignore it. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way before…not even with Rachel. Maybe that’s why I’m struggling so much.”
“Rachel was familiar, Caden. She was a comfortable place for you to be. Love isn’t comfortable. It’s messy and beautiful. It’s complicated and easy at the same time. Love takes work, no matter how long you’ve been with someone.”
I knew my mother was right. Smiling, I asked, “So no asking her to marry me on the first date?”
They both laughed.
“I think you should take her out to dinner. Let everyone in town see the two of you together.”
An idea hit me in that moment.
“Dad…do you think you could talk to Mitch about renting out the theater?”
Mitch Larson co-owned the sporting goods store with my father. He also owned half of the buildings in River Falls, including the local theater.
“You’ve got an idea blooming?” my mother asked.
Nodding, I replied, “I do, indeed.”
“I’ll call him right now.”
After telling my father what I wanted, he called Mitch, who told me I didn’t have to pay for the theater; I could use it for free.
“Do you have to rush off?” my mother asked, as she walked into the living room with three bowls of popcorn.
As much as I wanted to get back to the house and talk to Lilibeth, I settled on the sofa next to my mother, letting her curl up next to me, and we watched a movie.
It was moments like this that I longed to be that little boy who used to crawl onto her lap and let her hold me while she watched her favorite films. The feel of her head resting on my shoulder was just as beautiful though.
The smell of bacon caused me to open my eyes and sit up quickly. I looked around, confused by where I was for a moment, then realized I’d fallen asleep on my parents’ sofa.
I stood and looked for my phone. When I couldn’t find it, I made my way to the kitchen.
My mother smiled when she saw me. “Good morning. You must have been exhausted. You fell asleep last night about ten minutes into the movie. Your father tried to wake you up, but you were out.”
“I guess I was tired. Do you know where my phone is?”
She motioned with her head. “Charging. I called Lilibeth to let her know you fell asleep watching a movie with us last night.”
I stopped and looked back at my mother. She was placing the bacon on a plate. “You called Lilibeth?”
Without looking at me, she replied, “Yes, this morning. I didn’t want her to worry if she realized you hadn’t come home last night.”
I felt the corner of my mouth twitch. Mom called so that Lilibeth would know I’d been here all night, not with someone else.
Making my way over to my mother, I drew her to me and hugged her. “I love you, Mom.”
Her arms wound around me, and she held me tight. “I love you more, Caden.”
Kissing the top of her head, I said, “Thank you.”
She took a step back and winked. “I’ve got your back. Always have, always will.”
“I hope you didn’t do all of this for me?” I asked, as I took in the bacon and pancakes.
“I wish I could say I had, but Emeline, Levi, and the kids are coming over. It’s for them.”
I was suddenly filled with so much joy, I could hardly contain myself. I laughed, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “I’ve got to go, Mom.”
“I figured as much. Kiss Lilibeth for me.”
Winking, I said, “I will.”
Rushing out of the house, I jumped in my truck and started for my place. It was strange; the moment I’d decided I wasn’t going to hide any longer, I couldn’t wait to get to Lilibeth. I pulled up and parked next to her car. I got out and jogged to the front door, unlocking it and rushing in. I threw my jacket on the floor and made my way toward the kitchen.
When she wasn’t there, I headed upstairs but was stopped when I saw Misty. I reached down and picked her up. Staring into her blue eyes I said, “We are not going to let her go little one. Not if I can help it!”