Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Before you and Wade rekindled, he suggested I move here for Goldie. I didn’t tell him when I would arrive because I wanted to surprise Goldie and was still hesitant about coming here.”
“Because of me?”
Ana shakes her head. “I don’t vibe well with the small town, everybody knows everything about you, life. In Jacksonville, I was a number on a tax card and volunteered sometimes for the PTA. If Goldie had something going on, I was there, but I’m not the Holly Homemaker some of the moms are. Years ago, Wade asked me to move here because of his business, but I couldn’t do it. Plus, Franco . . . she trails off.”
I thank the barista for the glasses of water and push one toward Ana. I’m in uncharted water here. This is a woman I’ve hated for years even though she didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve held contempt in my heart because of her and felt her daughter should’ve been mine. That moment, admitting how I felt to Wade, was probably my lowest of lows.
“Magnolia Grove isn’t bad.” I don’t know why I’m telling her this. “Like every place, we have our gossips in town, but they keep things interesting. Ms. Linda is one of them, but she just loves Wade. He’s been mowing her lawn since before he even thought about being a landscaper. But anyway . . .” I pick up the water and take a sip.
“What you went through, no one should ever have to live in fear in their own home. I’m very sorry this happened to you.”
“Thank you.”
“For what it’s worth, while small towns may gossip, Wade doesn’t. No one knows your story. He hasn’t said anything to anyone, even me, not that I expect him to. Wade isn’t the type of man who goes around sharing business that isn’t his.”
“You’re very lucky,” Ana says to me.
“What makes you say that?”
“Because Wade is one of the good guys. In the beginning, I wished we could’ve made it work, but the feelings weren’t there, and you can’t force those kinds of things. But he never left my side or tried to bully his way into my life. He accepted what I gave him while I was pregnant and then showed up for Goldie.” Ana takes a drink of her water.
“I know me being here throws the two of you into limbo, but I hope not for long. I told Wade I was going to talk to you because I felt like you needed to hear it from me first. I have zero romantic anythings for Wade. He’s my daughter’s father and my best friend. That’s it.”
I nod, unsure of what to say. Hell, I don’t even know how I feel right now.
Ana sets a couple of dollars on the table and begins to slide out of the booth. “Wade loves you and Goldie told me you read to her the other day after she got hurt. Thank you for taking care of her.”
“It’s my job,” I say but then call her name before she can leave. “Will you volunteer at the school? In Goldie’s class?”
Ana nods. “It’s something my therapist says I need to do to keep my mind active. Are you going to be okay with that?”
“It’s not about me. It’s about Goldie.”
Ana smiles and exits, leaving me there with my thoughts. I clean the table, pay my bill, and gather my things. Outside, I see Wade’s truck before he comes into view. As much as I want to walk the other way, I don’t. Who could when Wade Jenkins is standing there, with his foot resting against the passenger side door, waiting for me.
I sigh heavily and walk toward him wondering what I’m going to say. Part of me just wants to give up. All of this seems like too much. How can I build a relationship with Goldie if her mom is here?
Will we constantly butt heads?
Would I be known as the wicked stepmother?
That’s the last thing I want.
Maybe stepping away is the right thing to do.
Slowly, I approach Wade. He doesn’t move and his smile doesn’t shine as brightly as normal. Already, there’s a void between us.
“Hey,” he says when I stop in front of him.
“Hi.”
“Lemon . . .” He pauses and bends over with a groan. When he rights himself, he has tears streaming down his cheeks. The sight of them causes my own to fall. “I am so fucking sorry . . . I . . .” He shakes his head. “Please give me a chance.”
I nod and wipe at my tears. He pulls me into his arms, and I sob into his chest. Truthfully, I’m not sure I can do this. Life seems so complicated.
“I need some time to process everything, Wade. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he says through tears. “Take all the time you need.”