Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
“It’s a lifestyle that breeds those things.” His tone was the same as it’d been all those years ago.
Condescending.
Disgusted.
“I’m not that same kid any longer.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re a different person.”
I drove the shovel straight into the ground and rested my arm on the top of the handle. Agitation clamored through my nerves, though I forced myself to remain calm as I stared up at Hailey’s father. “And what exactly are you implying?”
He didn’t hesitate. “The same thing I was saying then. Stay the hell away from my daughter. She has enough going on in her life without you making it worse.”
Scorned disbelief rattled in my chest. “Your daughter is a big girl. She can make those decisions for herself.”
“My daughter is grieving. Looking for something…anything…to make her feel good.”
I bit down on my tongue to keep from spouting off just how good I actually made her feel.
“I’d suggest you don’t prey on that,” he added.
Anger screamed, running hot through my veins. Still, I managed a semblance of composure, though the words were rough. “That’s quite the accusation to make.”
He stepped forward so he completely blocked the sun. Placing me in his shadow. “If it fits.”
“You don’t know anything about me.” I couldn’t help but spit it.
“Maybe not everything, Cody Cooper, but you know I know the one thing that counts. You aren’t good enough for my daughter. Not then, and sure as hell not now.”
He didn’t give me a chance to respond. He turned his back and stalked down the walkway in the direction of the stables.
I grabbed the shovel and rammed it into the dirt, gritting my teeth, barely able to breathe.
I might hate him for it, but I knew every word he spoke was God’s honest truth.
THIRTY-FIVE
HAILEY
“Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! You have to wake it up right now! Today is going to be the very best day of my whole entire life, and you have to get up so we can get ready!”
I peeled an eye open where I was face down on my pillow, lost to the most restful sort of sleep. The kind you could only experience after you’d been kept up for hours being worshipped, your body sagging from the exhaustion of bliss, then you fell asleep in the same arms that had taken you there.
Arms that had held me until morning.
Sure.
Strong.
He’d done it every night this week, keeping me floating on this plane of ecstasy I’d had no idea even existed.
My body was lodged somewhere between depletion and exhilaration.
A hypnotizing satisfaction that ran bone deep.
But I didn’t have time to revel in it right then.
Not when my little girl was currently bouncing on her knees at my side and yanking at my arm.
“Get up, Mommy! Mr. Cody is already up in the kitchen makin’ us the best breakfast because he said we really gotta have our energy if we’re going to play with the horses today, and I’m so very excited!”
Forcing off the fatigue that wanted to suck me back under, I shifted around so I could push up to sitting.
My fingertips brushed down my daughter’s precious face. “You’re excited, huh?”
“Yes! I get to see the horses, and I get new friends! I think it’s really a very special day.”
Paisley had texted two days ago to confirm the barbecue she was planning so the kids could meet. I’d told Maddie about our plans last night.
Soft laughter rolled out, love pulsing against my ribs.
This was what I wanted.
For my daughter to find sanctuary.
A place where she was protected and surrounded by friends.
People who adored her.
Home.
“I think it’s going to be a really special day, too.”
I glanced around at my bed. The covers were rumpled and twisted.
Cody would have slinked out sometime before dawn the way he’d done each morning since I wasn’t ready to explain to my daughter why he was sleeping in my room.
I didn’t want to confuse her.
Didn’t want to set her up for any disappointment or pain, even though I knew that was exactly where I had myself.
Lost to the words he’d issue with his lips pressed to the side of my head. Lost to the way he’d murmur praises into my sleep in the seconds before he’d sneak out my door.
Don’t know how I got so lucky, waking up next to you.
You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.
Gorgeous. Sexy. Kind and strong.
I’m going to be right for you.
I fought the fizz of guilt that churned in my stomach.
I would never. I promise you, Brooke. I would never do that to you.
I pushed it down into the crypt I kept for her, praying that one day that sick feeling would evaporate.
I didn’t want to look at Cody and feel shame. Not for the way I felt.
But how could I forget her? That promise? What had happened?
And it was because of me.