Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
“You take care of her, do what you gotta do, and take your time. The ranch can wait. Your mother and I talked it out. She’s fine with what’s going on now. More than before. Had to give her the talk about how us Johnson men work.” While we calmed her down earlier, I’m sure she gave Dad hell after I left.
“It’s going to take a while, that’s for sure. You telling me you’ve taken Mom away without her consent before?” My eyebrows lift to my hairline. This isn’t a story I’ve heard before.
“Oh yeah. The seven-year itch is real. I was so tied up in the ranch. Your mother was a wife and a mother. I forgot she was a woman, too, so used to her being there that I took advantage of it until I saw the light leave her eyes. Lucky me, a lot of men aren’t as fortunate. A few phone calls later to secure you boys and the ranch, and all I had to do was pack our bags and dump your mom in my truck.” Dad chuckles. He’s lost in going down memory lane, and I’m here for the story. “She threw a fuss, don’t get me wrong, but once we got to the hotel in the city, things settled down. We talked. We made it a point to have date nights, even if that meant having dinner after you boys were down for the night. All that to say, you’re doing the right thing. Even if your mom is giving us all hell.”
“Damn, I had no idea.” I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, but in a different form.
“Not something I’m proud of. Glad you’re figuring it out before it’s too late,” Dad says, blowing out a breath.
“I bet. I’ve got a lot to make up for, and depending on what happens with Juni’s health, it could get dicey.” Getting this off my chest is making me realize exactly what I need to do, and that’s to not back down. No matter what Juniper throws my way.
“The good news is you know what you need to do, and I’m damn proud of you, boy.”
“Thanks, Pops. Gonna let you go. I’m outside. Kind of need to be near her in case she gets sick again.” Watching Doctor Jimenez prick her skin and start an IV while relaying everything he was giving her while she practically lay lifeless on the table isn’t something I ever want to see again.
“You do that. I won’t call again, but check in when you can. I told your mother to keep things quiet. As far as everyone knows, Juniper is taking sick leave and you’re at the cabin for the time being.” Fucking hell, I didn’t even realize we’d need something to smooth over why both of us were out for the week.
“Appreciate that. Give my love to Mom and I’ll be sure to call.” As soon as Juni is asleep, I’m going to crawl in bed next to her. It’s where I spent all last night, too. Little did she know.
“Sounds good. Love you, son.”
“Love you, too, Pops.” We hang up with one another. I take a deep breath, trying to center myself and figure out what’s going to be my next move once Juni wakes up from her nap. All I do know is I’m going to be ready for whatever she throws my way.
TEN
JUNIPER
This time when I wake up, I recall exactly where I am. The only difference is I’m an inferno of heat, and when I open my eyes, the source is directly beneath me. My cheek is plastered to Lawson’s chest, and I’m like a cat burrowing deeper into him. Good job, Juniper Lynn, way to cavort with your quote-unquote 'kidnapper.' Except he feels too good, this feels too good, and I’m unwilling to move from the luxuriousness as well as the stillness wrapping around the two of us.
A girl could get used to this, waking up with a man she loves even though he pisses her off nearly fifty percent of the time. I’m not sure if that’s normal. It’s not like I had a good role model with my own parents. Even my grandparents weren’t around, though one set had a reason that was worthy. My dad’s parents were the only grandparents I knew. I’d spend school holidays with them, spring break, summer break, fall break, and winter break. I’m not sure if they knew what their son was up to and chose not to say anything, or if they stayed quiet in order to stay active in my life. It sucked when they passed away. Grandma went first, a sudden heart attack, then two months later, grandpa fell asleep and never woke up. I was ten years old when they passed away. That’s when life got worse. No breaks, no love, and definitely no affection. As for my mom’s parents, they weren’t around, and they were barely talked about. I remember bringing it up once and was scorned so abrasively I learned to never ask again.