Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 137144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“I don’t think I’m in trouble,” Lily said.
“Well, you’re my sister. All for one and one for all. Come on, let’s go.”
And then Clem took hold of her hand, and they raced toward the back door. To her shock, Lily let out a small giggle.
“Clem, get your butt back here,” Jaret called out.
Lily looked over her shoulder to find Jaret standing on the porch, a boot in one hand and a really fat white guinea pig in his other arm.
And it may have been her imagination, but she did think the guinea pig was looking up at him with adoration. Aww, how could he be mad when a guinea pig loved him like that?
They headed around the back of a shed, and Clem stopped to catch her breath. “Sorry, but if I go back there, my ass is toast.”
“Your ass is toast? Are you saying that Jaret . . . that he will . . .”
“Spank me? Yeah. He totally will. Loves a good spanking, that man does. I wouldn’t tell him this, but I don’t really mind one myself.” Clem shot her a look. “It’s not weird or anything. It’s all consensual.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t mean to imply that it was weird. It’s just, well, Harvey’s threatened me with that a few times.”
“Really? I didn’t see that coming from Harvey. He seems so good-natured and easy going.”
“With Harvey, what you see is not always what you get,” Lily told her.
“Hmm, that’s often the way with these men. They like to keep us on our toes.”
“Clem? Come back here now!”
“Nope, that’s not happening,” Clem said. “Come with me. I’ve got something to show you.”
They headed out back and into the trees. Lily followed behind Clem, still holding onto her hand as they walked along.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s not too much further.” Clem gazed back at her. “At least you’ve got some decent shoes on for once, not those ridiculous high heels you’re always wearing.”
“Those shoes were so uncomfortable,” Lily said. “They pinched my feet.”
“Aw, is that why you always looked like you were slightly constipated? It was your shoes.” Clem grinned at her.
Lily just shook her head. “Yeah, you’re probably right. It was the shoes. Also, the constant hunger. And I was a bit constipated.”
Clem snorted. “I like this new Lily. She’s funny, and she’s real.”
“Yeah, no more doll-like Lily with zero personality.”
Clem came to a stop and waved her arm. “See?” For a moment, Lily didn’t get it, and then she saw it. Off in the distance was this small creek that ran behind the back of the property, and hanging from a sturdy tree was a tire swing.
Their grandma had put that tire swing up for them years ago. Clem had loved it from the beginning. She’d always been on it, swinging back and forth. Then afterward, she’d hop into the creek and swim.
Lily used to watch and wish she could do it as well, but she’d known her mother would never approve. And if she’d found out that Lily had been on that swing, Lily would have heard about it for months afterward.
“The tire swing,” she said. “It’s still here.”
Clem nodded. “Well, it’s not the original one. Jaret replaced the rope and tire. Apparently, the rope was fraying and dangerous. Who knew?”
Thank God for Jaret Malone. She had a feeling that her sister may not be alive without him around to keep her safe. But she wasn’t going to say that to Clem.
They walked closer to the tire swing, and Lily reached out to touch it. “I’m surprised that Chuck hasn’t eaten this.”
“Yeah, Chuck doesn’t go down here. He doesn’t like trees for some reason.”
That seemed odd, but what did she know about steers?
“Is it sturdy? Can it take my weight?” Lily asked.
“If it can take my weight, then it can certainly take yours,” Clem replied. “I’m going to have to feed you up while you’re here, Lily. You’re skin and bone.”
“Harvey’s been trying,” she said, not taking offense to Clem’s bluntness. “But I haven’t had much of an appetite lately.”
Poor Harvey, he really had tried his best to feed her. He’d fussed over her so much. She’d never had that before. That level of care and attention . . . and she’d run away from it.
Was he worried about her right now?
Her stomach twisted.
She missed him so much. Missed his touch and attention. The perfect way he made her coffee. How he’d smile when he’d see her walking toward him. The care in his touch. As though he thought she was glass.
Yeah, she missed him so much that it hurt.
“I guess after everything you’ve been through, it would turn your stomach. Sorry, I wasn’t very welcoming when you got here, Lily.”
“I get it. I wouldn’t have been very welcoming to me either.”
“No, but I’ve always felt kind of guilty that I just left you with Harvey.”