Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Hadley
What’s going on? Are you safe?
Gulping, I glanced at the closed door before I let my fingers fly across the screen.
Me
I found him.
Three bubbles immediately popped up.
Hadley
Are you serious? I thought it was a long shot. No chance that it was actually him.
Me
He’s living on a ton of property in the middle of nowhere outside of that small town we found.
Hadley
He’s not married or with someone?
It’d been one of the risks I was taking. That I’d get here, and he would have long moved on. I wanted that for him—joy—but I also knew it would have devastated me.
Me
No. He’s single. And I think kind of a recluse. Quiet and reserved. Though I think he maybe has people he knows here.
I knew what he’d been about to say earlier. There were people here he considered family. That was right before shame took him over. As if he thought he was committing a sin for loving. A crime for finding something in the ashes.
Hadley
Wow. I can’t believe it.
Me
He’s letting us stay with him.
Hadley
Did you think he wouldn’t? He was always obsessed with you.
Me
I would hardly call him obsessed.
Hadley
Pssh. The boy was smitten.
I’d thought so. For one moment in time. Before that moment was ripped away.
Me
He’s different now. Harder.
Hadley
Are you having second thoughts?
Me
No. But I’m not sure he’ll agree.
Hadley
You already asked him?
Me
Yeah. He was…
I hesitated before I sent another text.
Me
Terrified by the idea, I think. But he promised he would protect us.
It took a while for her to respond.
Hadley
But that’s not enough for you?
Contemplating, I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth.
Me
I just need certainty, Hadley. I need to know, no matter what, my children will be taken care of.
I could feel her pain from across the miles. Her regret and her love.
Hadley
You know I would care for them if I could. I’m so sorry that I can’t do more.
Me
Don’t you dare apologize. I’m just thankful to have you back.
I’d thought she was gone. Forever. Succumbing to the grief of losing our mother all those years ago. Blaming herself for what had happened.
I’d felt so alone without her for all these years. Abandoned by everyone that I loved.
But she had finally gotten to a place where she was emotionally and mentally well enough to make contact, a miracle in itself, though there was no question she was still struggling.
In it, though? She was the one who gave me the ultimate courage to find Cash when I drove around aimlessly after I fled from West Virginia. She had helped me sift through the few clues we could find on his whereabouts. The old memory of what he’d once told me of how I could always find him bringing up a result I really hadn’t expected. So I’d taken this long shot and turned my car in the direction of this small town in Northern California.
Moonlit Ridge.
Me
Who knows where we would be right now if it wasn’t for you encouraging me to take this step.
Hadley
Well, you sure wouldn’t be with that hottie. Tell me he’s still as gorgeous as he was.
A grin pulled at the edge of my mouth, and I looked around as if Cash might catch me doing something scandalous.
Me
Holy crap, Hads. He’s glorious. Like gazing up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling, mouth hanging open as you stare at its beauty.
Was that sacrilegious? I chewed at the inside of my cheek. I mean, no offense to Michelangelo or anything, but the man was a masterpiece.
Hadley
Ah, now I know the real reason you wanted to find him.
Me
Eww. I did not need that vision. And don’t get excited. That is not going to happen. Believe me. He was not thrilled to see me.
Hadley
Pssh. I bet he wanted to jump your cute little bones the second he saw you.
I freaking wished. I pushed the thought aside.
Me
This isn’t about me. It’s about keeping my kids safe.
It took a moment for her to respond.
Hadley
You count, too, Daze. You deserve to be happy.
Affection pulsed through my spirit.
Me
Just send me all the good vibes that I can actually convince him to do this. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a challenge.
Hadley
I’m pretty sure my sister is up to any challenge.
Had she met me? I was the reserved one. The quiet one. Well, that was until I stood up and did what I thought was right. Reporting Ethan when it was clearly dangerous. I just hadn’t realized how dangerous it might be.
Me
I’m going to do whatever it takes.
Contemplating what to say, I chewed at my bottom lip then tapped out another message.
Me
I want you to know how much your help means to me. I didn’t want to drag you into this.
Hadley
You’re my sister. I’d do anything for you. For those kids.
Me
I love you so much.
Hadley
And I love you, Daisy. Things are going to work out just like they’re supposed to. Just watch. Keep me updated, okay?