Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
We head in the kitchen and I ask him. “What are you really doing here?”
“You’re a smart bastard. Your dad was worried because you were distracted and then he told me about Matthew having a sister.”
“Oh hell no. That shrew could never be on my radar.”
“Yeah, we know that now.”
“We?”
“Yeah, I’ve already sent the recon back to your parents and mine who have been panicking.”
“Seriously? Since when did you become the little errand boy bitch?”
“Watch your mouth before I treat you to a good old-fashioned ass whooping. Did you forget who taught you how to fight?”
“No, but seriously, what gives?”
“I’ve got my reasons.” He turns his head toward the door that leads back to the living room. Does this have to do with Noelle?
“Interesting.”
“Mind your business. Anyway, I’m going to be around for a little while. Just let me know what you’ll need.”
“We can talk about it tomorrow. I just want you to know that Caroline’s out on bail for trespassing and hates Autumn and myself. Frankly, I don’t think she’ll be a problem. She just got a taste of humble pie when Matt cut her off.
“Good. I hope so, but let me know if you need anything.” He pulls me in for a hug and then adds, “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to head back to my hotel room in town. I’m tired and bound to stick my foot in my mouth at least one more time.”
I’m about to head out when the doorbell rings again. “Did St. Nick forget something?” Noelle teases, mocking his gray coming in.
Autumn goes for the handle and says, “I don’t know.” It’s Caroline. She’s swinging a bat and I move Autumn just in time to take the blow myself. It strikes me on the forearm, but it’s not enough to do serious damage. “You bitch.” I’m quick to grab it from her before she can swing again. She starts to run, but then Nick comes from behind and catches her. She fights him.
“Whoa,” he growls. “Calm down you fucking nutcase.”
“Call the police,” I say, but Autumn comes up and walks past us and pulls back, clocking Caroline in the face. She drops in Nick’s arms.
“I called the cops,” Jacqueline says.
“Thank you.”
“Beautiful, how is your hand?”
“How are you? She hit you with the bat.”
“Fuck, Owen. I knew you were an asshole, but I didn’t realize you were that big of a prick,” my Uncle Nick chuckled. The police came up about ten minutes later, took our statements and then arrested her
Just as they were loading her into the vehicle Matthew arrived, but he waved off her pleas and walked our way. I could see the worn out look on his face. He’d already had a marking on his chin.
“Damn, what happened to you?”
“She lost it and threw a book at me,” Matt muttered. “Carter called her out on the fake pregnancy and said he was going to sue her if she was lying, and he was going to tell everyone.”
“Do you need a drink?” Mr. Sager asks.
“I could really use one.” The night lasted longer as we iced our wounds.
“I’m sorry about your sister,” Autumn says. “This is all my fault.”
“No, her petty jealousy and competition that our parents created in us pushed her into a spiral. She wanted what others had. You became her obsession. Carter was just one of the many things she tried to steal from you. Hell, she tried to take your job at the diner just because she wanted to make you lose something else.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I just learned it.”
“She needs help.”
“Yeah, I’m having her committed. I guess this is the end of my political career.”
“Who knows? You’re a young guy and we all have at least one looney bin relative.” I give him a wink and then look right at my uncle.
“That’s right.”
Epilogue
Owen
Three Years Later
I watched her from my scope and she never looked better than she does right now. I wish I could run down there and pull her into my arms and now is not the time. It’s a shame that I miss these moments but I love them all the same because I get to protect my family. She gives me a wink and a smile knowing that I’m watching. Then our eyes return to the parade below and so do mine because I have a job to do.
Every year I take on the task and watch over the crowd for the Harvest Fest parade. I love working in this town and everybody has come together to give much love to my wife and I. She rubs her belly and giggles as a cute float passes by. Holding her cup of coffee decaffeinated of course because she can’t have too much even though it’s still early on.
“You know you’re supposed to be paying attention to the rest of the crowd, right?”