Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
She tickles under my chin and then brings me to her for a kiss. When our lips part, she whispers, “I love you with all my heart, but let’s save the money.”
I’m not afraid of talking about money with her. I trust her with my life. I’m just unsure how to broach the topic. The rumble of the bulldozer gets louder since they’re starting by pouring a pad for the cars to park. “I have money,” I say, just putting it out there to see her reaction.
Patting my back, she starts to rub it. “I was saving for an apartment or to buy a piece of property. It’s not much, but I have fifteen thousand.”
It’s so sweet to hear the pride in her voice. She would probably make double her salary over in Ocean’s Bay, but she stays because this town needs her. Her family does, too. But most of all, I need her, and I want her to stay right here. I caress her cheek and ask, “How did you manage that?”
“Lots of extra shifts and overtime over the years. How much do you have saved?” There’s an innocence to her tone because she knows, as first responders, our jobs are on the same salary playing field.
I rip the bandage of truth off and reply, “Two point three million.”
“That’s okay. It’s hard to save. You have a beautiful house—wait, you said thousand, right?”
“I didn’t.”
Rapid blinking begins again as she tilts her head to think this through. Darting her eyes back to me, she shakes her head. “I don’t get it. Did you say million? How does a firefighter make millions?”
“Good investments. My college was paid for by scholarship, so I took the money it would have cost me and invested in stocks and two startups. They’ve done well in the past ten years.”
“I’d say so.” Angling her head toward the sound of the machinery again, she laughs. “So building me a road is nothing for you?”
“It’s nothing, but if it keeps our family safe, it’s worth it.”
When her hold tightens around my neck, she leans back with hearts in her eyes. I recognize it because it’s how I look at her too. “Our family?”
A casual shrug probably doesn’t fool her, but no need to turn this conversation into something it’s not. “Yeah, our family.”
The sound of her hum is music to my ears. It’s the sound that tells me her soul is happy. She kisses me, her hands caressing my cheeks and her core rocking on my lap, teasing me. “Do you have to go?”
Flipping her onto her back, I hover over her and kick off my shoes. “I’m in no hurry.”
“He paved a road for me,” I overhear her telling her sisters as if I gave her a five-carat diamond ring. Who knew concrete was the way to win her heart? Wish I would have known that back in high school when I was trying to get her to talk to me in Mr. Ingalson’s class.
Oh shit.
I just remembered that.
“Weiner?” Turning around, Daniel’s holding a hot dog on a stick toward me. “Hungry?”
“No,” I reply, looking at where the group of women sits near the water in Adirondack chairs. I push my fingers through my hair, remembering running to the bleachers wondering if she’d gotten my note and hoping she’d be there. The sheer relief I felt when I saw her waiting. Pressing my hands to my head, I turn as my head floods with memories. Kissing her. Asking her to be mine. The upset I felt when she didn’t come to the party that night at the lake. Winning prom king and wishing I could dance with her.
Summer’s wedding.
Picking pumpkins at a patch with our moms when we were really young.
Our eighth-grade dance and finally having the nerve to ask the prettiest girl in school to dance.
The sound of her voice pulling me back from death after the fall.
And that little girl on the stairs, trying so hard to be brave to prove to the world she could handle the grief consuming her. Slipping my hand between us, our fingers folded together, and we sat there in silence. I didn’t need to say anything. She just needed a friend.
It doesn’t matter what we’ve been through because we went through it together. She’s always been my person. And I’ll always be hers.
I run to her, taking her by the hands and pulling her to her feet with alarm flashing in her eyes. “I remember.”
Her gaze softens. “What do you remember?” she asks, placing her hand on my chest. I cover it with mine, holding it so she can feel the beat of my heart.
“Everything. I remember everything about you.”
Hope shapes her smile, too wide to pretend she feels anything less. “You do?”
Her arms fly around me, and tears form in the corner of her eyes. I hold this incredible woman as memories still fight to be recognized. “I do.” I kiss the top of her head and whisper, “You were the last thing that crossed my mind before I hit the ground.”