Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Thanks for taking these. They’ll look nice at the city square,” he says.
“Are those going too?” I nod to the boxes of decorations, and he shakes his head.
“No, those are extra lights and stuff your mom got out of the attic. She was going to donate them.”
“Want me to take those into town too?” I offer, and he smiles brightly.
“You’d save me a trip.”
AJ is still sleeping when I tell my parents goodbye, so it saves me the awkward questions about Christmas and when I’m coming over. I try to avoid going in the house at all this time of year because it’s too painful.
Once I leave, I turn toward the edge of town and Roy’s Towing. There’s a long chainlink fence, and as soon as I pull up, I see the SUV parked on the other side of it.
“Shit.” Looking at the building, I see he’s got the light off, but odds are he’s still inside. I bang on the door a few times, and eventually he opens it. “Hey, I need to get that Mercedes.”
“Good morning to you too, Fraser,” he burbles, and all I smell is whiskey.
“And I need you to move it to the back of the lot away from the street view.” Keeping it locked up here isn’t necessarily a bad idea, I just don’t want Roy showing off he’s got it.”
“What’s it to you?” His bloodshot eyes narrow as he pulls out his keys and opens the gate.
“How about you do it before I mention the party you had here last night to your probation officer.”
Roy curses under his breath as he lets me in the gate and thankfully the car is unlocked. I glance around but don’t see much other than two small bags. I don’t see a purse or anything else after I check it over one more time before leaving.
“You’re welcome,” Roy shouts sarcastically, and I wave to him as I pull out of the parking lot.
I’m going to have to ride by here later on and make sure he actually moves it. Otherwise, anyone could be riding through town and spot Nyah’s SUV. It’s the most expensive thing in his junkyard and stands out in a small town like this.
I might not know hardly anything about Nyah and how she ended up in Brightberry, but I know that keeping her a secret will keep her safe.
CHAPTER 7
NYAH
I smile when I feel Mina playing with my hair, and the bed is so comfy I don’t want to move.
“Morning, love bug,” I tell her as I roll over and wrap my arms around her little body. I’m not ready to open my eyes, so I snuggle her into me.
“Mornin’,” she says with a little yawn. “Where Ralph?”
The moment she reminds me where we’re at, my eyes pop open. How did I forget we’re in Fraser’s house? I guess I can blame it on my deep sleep because I can’t remember the last time I slept so well. It’s even rarer for Mina to wake up before me. Besides being sick, I’ve become a very light sleeper since Mina came into my life. All she has to do is roll over and I’d wake up.
“He might still be asleep.” I run my fingers through her wild curls to fix them.
“No he not.” She shakes her head dramatically before trying to wiggle free from my hold. I drop a kiss to her chubby cheek before I let her go and then wonder if she’s been up already. Damn, I really must have been out. There’s something about this place and Fraser that gives me a sense of safety.
Mina slips off the bed and runs toward the open door. I quickly step into the bathroom to make sure I’m not a complete mess before I chase after her. When I find her in one of the spare rooms, I see the bed is still made. Fraser either didn’t sleep in it or he made it right after he got up.
“Can’t find him.” She shrugs, holding her arms up.
“I’m sure he’s not far.” A pang of worry hits me, which is silly because I know he’ll be back.
We’re in his home, so it’s not like he’d leave us. Not that it would be the first time someone walked out on me. This would actually make it the third time, but I push those ugly thoughts away. I try not to think of my parents because nothing good ever comes from it.
“Are you hungry?” I ask Mina, and she nods. “Why don’t we make Fraser breakfast?”
“Ralph,” Mina corrects me.
“I think that’s your special name for him like when I call you ‘love bug.’” I use my nickname for her to help her understand what I mean.
“Mmky,” she agrees.
Turning on the TV in the living room, I put on cartoons, and when I peek out the window, I see tire tracks leading away from the house. Snowflakes still fall but not as heavily as before.