Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
“I’m not investing in the property, Summer. I’m investing in you to keep Mountain Laurel Cove alive.” He glances toward the ocean. “Look at this place. I thought everywhere had already been overdeveloped. Not here. This place needs to exist, not just for you but for others to see how beautiful nature really is.”
I smile because my heart does. He gets it. He truly understands that if one domino falls, they all do. I can’t let that happen. “Careful, or I’m going to start to think you were brought on purpose.”
“To save the day? It wouldn’t be the first time.” His laughter echoes, thinking he really did something there with that compliment to himself.
I can’t join him, but it’s too real for me. “I’m starting to believe that might be true.”
“All clear?” a little voice calls to us. We turn to see Roman standing in the doorway.
Roman’s been so good and patient that I feel bad for making him wait around as I spiral over something personal. He’s here for a vacation, not to be dragged into my drama. “All clear,” I call, checking in briefly with a glance whose smile has stuck to his face like it’s glued there and evokes mine in response. “We need to talk more about this.”
“We will, but I want you to consider it.”
“I am. There’s just a lot of details to consid—”
“Can I go?” Roman asks, dropping his bag beside us and startling us apart like two teens busted making out by their parent.
Daniel rubs his hand over his head. “What do you mean you go?”
“You guys are talking, and that’s boring.” The whine in his tone doesn’t seem to go over well with his dad.
“What do we say about being bored, Roman?”
He kicks his foot out and then drops it with a pout of his lips. “Find something to do.”
“Yep.” He rests his hand on Roman’s back. The pats are light with care as if he’s rooting for him. “So what are you going to do?”
“Go see Dolly. I can walk down there by myself.”
Daniel glances at me with a question in his eyes. “Is it safe?”
“You see how little traffic there is. Ten homes and a dead end don’t impress many to drive down here,” I reply. “She’d love the company.”
“I’m not a baby, Dad.”
“I know you’re not.” He looks at the road once more and takes his bag from him. “I’ll bring this down when we return.”
I pull out my phone again and text Dolly. “I’ll let her know you’re heading her way.”
He throws his arms around my waist. “Thanks, Summer.”
The heart that was shattered slowly pieces itself back together. I hug him. “Go straight there, okay?”
“I will.” Glancing at Daniel, he says, “Promise.”
Ruffling his hair this time, Daniel says, “On your way, kid. Adventure awaits.”
Roman takes off running before Daniel finishes speaking. I come stand next to him, pressing my head to his arm, and say, “Dolly’s meeting him halfway.”
Daniel’s arm comes around me, and he kisses my head. “Thank you.”
“I imagine it’s hard to let them try new things, to venture farther from us than they have before.”
“It’s good to do it in a safe way. He can’t do this in the city. Mia and I won’t let him.” There’s a scoff that’s lacking humor, and he says, “I was running all over the place by myself at his age. Shoplifted my fair share of candy and soda with friends I shouldn’t have been hanging around with. By nine, I was busing it to games on my own.” Though I desperately want to see his face, his grip is firm, holding me in place. Purposeful? Probably.
Other than anger and temper tantrums, I’m certain most hockey players aren’t used to showing much emotion. Daniel does with me. He gives me these small peeks into his past and feelings. It makes me feel more connected to him.
Exhaling a deep breath, he shifts his head and then releases me enough to aim his eyes out at the ocean. I’m mesmerized by it every day, fortunate to have it in my backyard. I can’t imagine life being lived without the immensity of this beauty in my life.
He crosses his arms over his chest. “I made the mistake of telling my dad I was bored when I was six.” No good story begins like that . . . my stomach drops at the thought of what’s to come. He peeks over at me. “He beat the shit out of me with my hockey stick and made me practice two extra hours that night without any dinner.” Sickness gnaws at my insides, leaving my heart feeling raw and aching. “I was never bored again. My son will never know pain like that. I’ll set the world on fire before I let anyone harm him.”
Reaching up, I pat his back gently like he did for Roman. Otherwise, I’d be taking him in my arms. It’s what I would want, but what does Daniel need? Screw it. I’ll take the lead and wrap myself around him from behind, resting my cheek against his back, and hold him.