Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
I’m shaking my head in disbelief. “Ford, I need to see her. Where is she now?”
“We’re at home. The coroner is on their way. I won’t let them take her until you get here, Lucas.”
I hit the disconnect button on the dash and wrap both hands around the steering wheel. Bella reaches for me, wrapping her hand around my arm. “I’m so sorry, Lucas. I’m so sorry.”
I look at her, and she has tears rolling down her face. I pull to the side of the road, and we bounce as the tires hit the gravel road. Once I’m at a complete stop, I pull Bella into my arms. “I’m sorry too, honey. I know you loved her too.”
We hold on to each other, both of us trying to navigate this sudden grief that is overwhelming. I try to think of everything that needs to be done, but I can’t think of a damn thing. All I’m focused on is Bella, crying in my arms.
She sniffs and pulls back to look at me. She lifts her hands at the same time I do. She reaches for me, and I reach for her as we wipe each other’s eyes. “Granny wouldn’t want us crying.”
She sniffs again. “No, she wouldn’t. If only we hadn’t gone...”
“No, we had to go. When Granny was talking to me earlier, she insisted that we go. She didn’t want to stand in the way of true love, she said. But I know Granny; she knew what was coming, and she didn’t think I could handle it. She wanted me out of the house.” I stop rambling and release my tight hold on Bella. “You ready to go?”
Bella nods and goes back to her seat. She doesn’t release my hand, though. “I think you’re wrong, though, Lucas. She knew how strong you are. She loved you and was always so proud of you. She told anyone that would listen that you were her favorite. Your brothers all knew it, but no one ever seemed to care. Do I think she knew this was coming? Absolutely. But you know what? I think she sent you away because she thought she was protecting you. That was her last way of saying she loved you.”
I put the car into gear and look at Bella. I think about everything she just said, and I know she’s right. Sending me out of the house is something she would definitely do, and for as long as I can remember, Granny has tried to protect me. She was there for me when my own mother didn’t want me. She was there growing up. She went to battle for me at school when I would get into trouble. Time after time, Granny was my protector, so it makes sense that she would try to protect me to the very end. “You know, Bella, I think you’re right.”
She nods and looks out at the road in front of us. Neither of us speak as we drive into Whiskey Run and take the turn-off for the house. When I pull in, there’s a number of cars, and the coroner is already here. But I’m not worried. I know Ford will keep his promise.
I get out of the car and meet Bella at the front. We hold hands inside and up the stairs. The door is closed to Granny’s bedroom, and when I push it open, my brothers are all gathered around her bed. A hush fills the room as we walk in. Each of my brothers come to hug me. Bella releases my hand and stands off to the side, her eyes on Granny. When I’ve hugged each of my brothers, I pat Ford on the back. “Anyone call Huddy?”
He nods and strokes his hand through his five o’clock shadow. “Yeah, but it’s going straight to voicemail. I talked to his higher-up, and they said he’s in a jungle in Southeast Asia, so they don’t know if they can get word to him or not.”
I nod. “Dad and Charlotte?”
Ford nods. “Yeah, Mom and Dad are coming in from their trip to Paris.”
My Dad and stepmom were on a three-month trip, and I’m sorry they are having to cut it short. I make my way to Bella and put an arm around her shoulder. “We need to say bye to her, honey.”
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “I can’t, Lucas. You go ahead.”
I know I shouldn’t force her, but I also know that she’ll regret it if she doesn’t. I pull her flush against my chest and hold on to her while I soothingly rub up and down her back. I lean down to whisper into her ear, “I need you, Bella. I don’t know if I can do this without you.”
She nods against my chest, using my shirt to wipe her tears. She grabs on to my hand, and I walk her over to the bed. I sit down on the edge, pulling Bella into my lap, and we both look at my granny. I try to commit it all to memory. The way her hair curls on the ends and sticks up a little all over. She always complained about it. The smell of her perfume that she’s worn since I was a child. The hundreds of readers glasses that she leaves around everywhere. Her hands that are frail now but at one time were strong enough to break up five fighting brothers. I just sit here and get lost in the memories.