Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
This is why I avoided looking for her for so long, it wasn’t just guilt, it was the idea of knowing that maybe she didn’t want me in her life.
Pulling out my phone, I dial Goat who answers with a gruff, “Yep.”
“Got a name. You good to find out what you can?”
“Flick it to me.”
“Appreciate it.”
Hanging up, I get on the bike and get the fuck out of there.
I need a minute to myself.
A minute to fucking figure out my next move.
Addison will be thrilled to know we have a name, and I know she'll want me to chase Clara down, but what if she doesn’t want me in her life? What if she would rather I didn’t exist in her world? I don’t know how much more bullshit I can handle when it comes to the heart.
Fuck.
I hate decisions.
Because I’m certain I’m always going to make the wrong one.
25
Addison
“We found her.”
Spinning around, Skye on my hip, spatula in hand, I meet Cade’s gaze as he walks through the front door.
“What?” I whisper, placing the spatula down and walking toward him. “Cade, are you serious?”
“Goat found her location, wasn’t hard. She’s livin’ an entire life as Mary Theodore. She is in Florida, married, two kids.”
“Hear that,” I smile, bouncing Skye. “You have cousins!”
“Tomorrow, I’m goin’ to see if she’ll talk to me. I won’t bother askin’ if you want to come, I know you will.”
I’m trying to keep in my excitement, but I can see the hesitation in his eyes. He’s scared, and I know this is a big deal for him. Turning, I place Skye down with her toys and walk over to him, placing a hand on his chest. “You’re worried.”
“She might not want her entire world turned upside down.”
“You’re right, she might not. We’re not there to upend it, baby, we’re there to let her know that if she wants us in her life, she can have us. We’re making sure she is okay, and that the past is healed. If she doesn’t want to see us after that, then we won’t push her. That is her choice.”
He nods. “Fuck. I never thought I’d see her again.”
“We’ll do it together. Florida is a big trip, are we flying?”
He nods. “I’ve already booked the tickets. I got her place of work, don’t know her address. We’ll just have to hope we can track her down.”
Squeezing his arm, I turn and go back to the stove, stirring the pasta sauce I’m making for dinner. My mind is going a million miles an hour. I didn’t think we’d be here, and that we’d finally have answers as to where Clara is. I thought for sure she had been shipped away, sold and sent into a horrible life, but all along she was living under a different name. I can only hope her life went as well as she had hoped. I pray she is loved and taken care of because I know that’s all Cade wants.
“I heard the good news.”
Ciara’s voice fills the kitchen as she comes bounding through the front door, Spike by her side, Danny on her hip. Spike cradles Mercy in his big arms, and it’s the sweetest damn thing.
“No come on in, you’re right.” Cade mutters.
Ciara shoots him a look. “This is my home, too. How dare you.”
He winks at her, and she grins.
“Okay, what are you so happy about?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. “You’re not pregnant again are you because woman, I am not ready for that.”
She laughs. “Jesus no. No way. It’s better.”
“Well go on,” Cade reaches out, taking Danny from Ciara. “Spit it out.”
“I’m going to university!”
Cade’s brows go up at the same time mine do.
“Say what?” I say, confused.
“I am going to a special university for nurses. I’m so fucking excited. It’s only two days a week, but I’m going to become a nurse!”
“You’re good with this?” Cade asks Spike.
Spike grunts. “Not a fan of not havin’ her by my side, but I’m alright with the nurse outfits.”
“Animal,” I laugh, then turn towards Ciara. “I’m so happy for you! This is wonderful.”
“I’m so excited, it’s in the city so only a two-hour drive. I will stay for two nights at a place nearby campus and do two days, then return home for the remainder of the week. Spike is going to take care of the kids. I won’t start until Mercy is six months old, but I’m so damned happy. I always wanted something to challenge my mind.”
“This is awesome, I can come to the city for girls’ nights,” I say, grinning.
“Like fuck,” Cade mutters.
I shoot him a grin. “We both know I’m going to win that one.”
He grins. “No college boy is puttin’ his hands all over my woman.”
“You’re not threatened by them pin dicked, pimple faced boys are you brother?” Spike teases.