Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
“Okay.” He lets me go. I watch as he walks to where his brothers are off to the side before I move to the recliner. Only a couple of the sisters made it over with Ms. Catherine. It’s probably safe to assume that Maeve who owns, Whisked Away is at the local bakery. Tully is probably out on calls for her veterinarian office, and Sienna is probably in town working at Two Chicks, her and Genevieve’s pottery studio.
“Sutton, sweetheart, how are you feeling?” Ms. Catherine asks. Birdie is sitting with her. I feel terrible about taking up so much of their time. Especially with all of them working, Birdie included. She might work from home, but that doesn’t mean she has free reign and won’t have to work later to make up for lost time.
“Today is really good. I have my checkup in a few days, and I’m hoping to be able to do more than the bare minimum on my college class assignments.” The concussion causes me to slow down after about an hour because my eyes get tired and focusing becomes harder. Stupid concussion. Stupid Shane. And stupid me for taking so long to get him out of my life.
“Good, I’m glad. I know it’s been hard using Ry’s computer and not having your notebooks as well. They’re here now.” Her hand reaches for mine, squeezing it gently.
“Thank you.”
“Birdie saw it first. She knows more about these things than I do.” She tries to play it off like she didn’t help.
“Thank you, Birdie.”
“You’re welcome. Having your own laptop is important. I know that more than anyone. Also, there are flowers on the counter. There isn’t a whole lot in season, but my mom, this is her thing. She keeps us all flush with flowers at least once a month, if not more. I’m going to head out. If you need anything, let me know.” Birdie stands up, moves toward me, bends at the waist, and gives me a hug, then she’s out the door.
The crowd dwindles down, everyone having chores to do on and around the farm. All that’s left is Ms. Catherine, Russell, Lawson, and Ryland.
“I need to start the eviction process of getting Shane out of my house legally. Check the stuff in the shed isn’t destroyed and go through the boxes to make sure Mom’s stuff is still in good condition,” I mutter under my breath, talking out loud, like I’m walking home from work alone.
“Ryland and I will take care of that,” Lawson says, taking a seat next to his mom. Ry comes up beside him.
“You make a list of what needs to be taken out of the house. We’ll put it in the garage, then you go through the boxes and document everything. Just in case. As for the eviction process, it may be overkill depending on how your case goes, but I’ll call our family lawyer to get the ball rolling.” Ryland’s hand massages the back of my neck.
“You all have done so much. Really, I can do this.” The group of men makes a bunch of noises, mumbling about independent women. Ms. Catherine’s eyebrow arches at me with a smile. It causes me to let out a laugh, and while there’s still a twinge of pain when that happens, it’s not near as bad as my life could be. I’m surrounded by people who care and love freely. That’s why I’m not going to put up a fuss, allowing the people I love to help me as much as they want to.
SIXTEEN
RYLAND
“My Sutty!” Case squeals, getting Sutton’s attention. God, I love my boy. He’s as infatuated with her as I am. When it was time to pick Case up from preschool, she asked if she could come with, wanting to stop at the grocery store to make lasagna, salad, bread sticks, and dessert. She even snuck spinach into the sauce, cutting it so small and fine, no one could taste the difference, especially Case. After she cooked, I helped clean up the mess, and then we ate. Sutton needed to rest afterwards. Case had a couple of things to do schoolwork wise, mainly coloring, but while I finished up the dinner dishes, he sat at the table while Sutton sat in the recliner. I could see her internal battle, not wanting to call it a day, but that’s exactly what it was. She did more today than she has for a week now. She unpacked her clothes, toiletries, and a few of the mementos. Our things are now mingled with one another’s, her scent marrying mine, and each time I walk into the bedroom, it fills me with male pride.
“My Case!” she replies right back, as anxiously as him. The kitchen is cleaned, his homework is done, and all that’s left is a shower, reading a story, and bedtime. I watch as my boy runs his little body over to where Sutton is sitting. She chose the couch instead of the recliner, probably because she’ll fall asleep if she sits in it too long.