Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
She turns and opens the screen door for me. I head straight for the kitchen, bumping the door open with my hip, and setting everything on the counter.
“Where’s the city girl?” I ask Emily.
“Ah, turns out she’s not much of a city girl.”
“She didn’t have fun?”
“No, she did but she doesn’t want to return any time soon.”
“Does that mean you’re happy she won’t be flying far from the nest?”
Emily tilts her head, as she seems to contemplate her answer. “I want her to go as far as she wants. And be happy,” she finishes on a whisper. “Safe and happy.”
The air between us suddenly feels ten times heavier. I can’t tell if it’s the thought of her sister going away to college in a few years or if she’s thinking of her parents.
“Come here.” I pull her into my arms. “You’re doing a good job of making sure she’s both.”
She nods against my chest and blows out a breath. Whatever cloud settled over her seems to evaporate. “How was your day?”
“Better now.”
“Dex!” Libby bursts into the kitchen. “You’re back!”
Not expecting Emily’s sister to be so excited to see me, I take a second to respond. “You’re back. How was your trip?” I ask, not letting on that Emily already gave me a summary.
“Excellent! My feet are killing me. We walked everywhere. But it was so much fun.” She skates over the kitchen tile in her socks and skids to a stop in front of me with her hands behind her back. “I got you something.”
Surprise ties my tongue in another knot.
“Just something small.” She ducks her head and holds out her right hand. “So you can remember the Walker sisters wherever you are.”
In the palm of her hand rests a Statue of Liberty key chain. I reach out and pick it up, letting it dangle for a moment. A smaller, yellow charm hangs from the split circle ring. A lemon.
“Lady Liberty for me.” Libby grins and touches her left hand to her chest. “And a lemon for Emily.” She frowns. “Because she loves lemons, not because she’s sour,” she hurries to add.
Behind her, Emily chuckles. “I’m definitely more salty than sour.”
“Thank you, Libby.” I accept the gift and pull my keys out of my pocket, slowly working the new addition into the set. “The Walker sisters are hard to forget, though.”
She grins. “True statement.”
And with that, she slides her way out of the kitchen.
Emily comes closer and rests her hand on my arm. “I’m glad you came over. She’s been dying to give you that since she got home.”
“I…” No words come to me. “She didn’t have to get me anything. But I love it.”
“Good.”
I turn the miniature statue over in my hands. “Is Liberty really what Libby is short for?”
An affectionate smile curves her lips and she rolls her eyes slightly. “Liberty Isabelle, yep. My parents went from traditional to hippy dippy as they got older.”
I snort with laughter. “I thought it was usually the other way around.”
“Well, my middle name is Clementine, so maybe they always had a wild streak.”
Do not mention the dancer at Crystal Ball who goes by Clementine. “I’m pretty sure Clementine is the subject of an old American folk song,” I say.
“Yep. I remember that one. It’s why I never, ever tell anyone my middle name.”
Thank you, universe for Shelby’s endless musical knowledge that has somehow rubbed off on me.
“You told me,” I point out.
She wraps her arms around my waist and nuzzles her forehead against my chest. “Yeah, I did.”
My heart’s slamming so hard, she must be able to feel it.
“Liberty is a pretty name,” I say, rubbing my hand over her back. “They could’ve gone with worse.”
“True, and it fits her.” Emily lets out a sweet laugh and pulls away. “I’m still glad they chose Emily for my first name.”
“I like it.” I rest my hand on her hip. “It rolls off the tongue nicely.”
She reaches up and taps my bottom lip. “You definitely know how to roll that tongue around.”
I lean down and whisper in her ear, “I’d like to use my tongue on you right now.”
“Save that energy,” she whispers back.
Libby bursts through the kitchen door, this time with what seems to be a tan crinkly bag of candy in her hands. “I went to the M&M store, and brought home a trophy, Em.”
“Oh yeah?” Emily turns around. “Are you planning to share or hoarding them in your room?”
“I’ll share.” She hugs the bag to her chest. “Maybe.”
“What is it?” I ask.
“Almond M&Ms,” Libby whispers like someone’s about to break in and steal them.
Emily frowns. “I’m pretty sure they still sell those at Walmart.”
“But these are special.”
“Almond, huh?” I ask.
Libby cocks her head. “They’re the best,” she says, like I’m dense for not knowing this universal fact. This kid cracks me up.