Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“I love you, and I want to visit with you. I also want to unpack, take a hot-as-hell shower, collapse in bed, and sleep for the next twenty-four hours.” Ugh, the guilt that rolls through my stomach. I can see how tired she is. Her clothes are a rumpled mess, her hair is in a ponytail that is falling down, and she looks like she’s been mainlining coffee for two days straight.
“Alright, let me grab my phone and keys. Mom, you wanna drive her truck to the greenhouse?”
“Sure, talk about me like I’m not here,” Tallulah says, but she’s already walking toward the passenger side of the car.
“Get inside and call Lane and one of his brothers. Neither of you girls should be off-loading all of this. Plus, your stuff will need to be moved to Lane’s,” Mom tells me before bending down and picking up Rocky. He was jumping up on his short little legs to get her attention. My boy refuses to be left out at any given time.
“I feel like we should call Ms. Catherine, too, but I don’t want to overwhelm Tully on her first day here. She’s already done so much.” Mom takes a step closer, looks over her shoulder, and I do the same. Tallulah’s door is open, allowing the sun to give me a clear view of just how much she’s packed. There are boxes and bags stacked, and it’s not like her vehicle is compact. I’m talking three rows, the last being up, and there’s still a massive-ass trunk.
“Nope, I’ll call her later today, and if she can’t find a job, I know a rancher or two who could use her area of expertise.”
“Well, that’s probably for the best since her head is tipped back and her mouth is open in the passengers seat. Tully is well and truly out like a light. As for her taking freebies, good luck. I’ve mentioned her opening up a veterinary office, and that was the one thing that sparked her interest. The only problem with it would be the initial cost and the time it’ll take to build up her patient list.” Honestly, Tully could do it. She’s the hardest worker and is so passionate about her work.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Now here, take Rocky, and don’t be too long. The girl needs to get horizontal, much like my daughter did when she came home.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I tease, putting Rocky beneath my arm again. This time, he’s more content and places his head on my chest before letting out a tired yawn.
“Sure you don’t,” she retorts.
“I probably get it from someone else I know.” Stubbornness runs in our blood a mile long, and there’s no sign of it stopping. Mom heads toward Tully, and I start my short walk toward the house. Once I’m there, I head to the kitchen counter, where I had placed my keys as well as my phone. Lane only left a couple of hours ago, and I feel horrible for asking him to stop his day yet again, except I know what will happen if I don’t.
I pick up my phone and send him a text. He’s more apt to feel it vibrate in his pocket than to hear the ringer.
Me: Hey, Tully is home. Do you think it’s possible to meet me at the greenhouse? She packed a lot, is dead on her feet, and Mom has to head into town.
Mom really does have to go into town for a delivery. I knew that from our talk, plus it’s a weekday. After her big events on the weekends, she’ll take extra bouquets into town for others to buy. Today happens to be that day.
Lane: Sure. I’ve got Dean with me. Do I need more than the two of us?
Me: No, and hopefully, it won’t take too long either. I’m sorry to be taking up so much of your time lately.
Lane would never make me feel like I’m being too much or asking too much. It’s one of those habits I’m going to have to work on accepting.
Lane: Nothing to apologize for. Don’t you dare lift one damn thing. You’re not ready for my hand on your ass. Yet.
A shiver runs through my body. I have got to get better and fast. I don’t want Lane to hold back, ever.
Me: I can’t make any promises ;)
I quit texting. Doing it one-handed hasn’t been easy, and there’s no way I’ll use voice to text in fear of someone randomly making an appearance. I shove my phone into my back pocket, grab my keys, and head back outside. Mom and Tully are long gone.
When Mom is on a mission, she is on a damn mission. Pedal to the metal and ready to get shit done. She’s been this way since I was little, never able to sit down and sit still. The television could be on, she’d be sitting in her corner on the couch, and there in her lap, she’d be doing a needlepoint, a word search, or have a puzzle out. Then she’s yelling at the game show host on what the answer should be.