Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I run downstairs while she plays on her iPad. Grabbing a straw basket, I put a checkered white and red dish towel on the bottom and fill it with the fresh loaves of bread I made today. I look over and see that it’s already past noon. We walk out of the house after a little bit of an argument over her green Rubber boots. In the end, I didn’t have the energy to fight with her.
The whole drive there, I think of maybe warning her, telling her not to talk to anyone. I play the scenarios in my head over and over again. The best thing is he doesn’t figure it out; the worst is he gets it. I park on the street and get Sofia out. “We remember our manners,” I say, grabbing the straw basket, and she just nods her head. I stop walking when I see Amelia waddling right in front of me. She turns and sees me, and her whole face lights up. "Oh my goodness,” I say when we get close enough, and she gives me a big hug. Amelia was the one who gave me my first ever job and made sure I got all the shifts I needed during the summer to save up for school.
"Hazel,” she says, smiling. “And who is this beautiful girl?" She looks over at Sofia.
"This is my daughter, Sofia,” I say, and Sofia smiles at her.
"I heard you were back in town, and I was hoping I would get to see you," Amelia says. “I’m sorry about Pops,” she says sadly, and I nod. We turn to walk to the house where Asher is waiting for her. Asher smiles over at her and says something to her, but I don’t know what else is said because the sound of my pounding heart is so loud in my ears.
Walking in with them is a little bit better than walking in on my own. Charlotte sees me and claps her hands, making all the women she is sitting with look over. My heart stops when I see Reed’s mother, Olivia. She is and always will be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She gets up with Charlotte and Savannah, and they walk to me. "You came,” she says, and I smile at her.
"I didn’t think I had a choice," I answer her honestly.
"Momma made her special bread," Sofia says, putting her hand on the basket. “It’s hot."
"Aren’t you the cutest thing ever," Olivia says, rubbing her hand on her head, and just that touch makes the lump in my throat even bigger than before and tears sting in my eyes. “I heard that someone is waiting for you, and he has a horse."
"The horse man,” she says, making everyone laugh again, but all I can do is look at her surrounded by her family.
"Do you mind if I take her to see Billy?" Charlotte asks, and I don’t have time to say anything because Sofia walks over to her and grabs her hand.
"I guess that answers that," Olivia says, and she walks with Charlotte over to the barn.
"She’ll be fine," Savannah says to me. “It can be overwhelming." I smile at her.
"Where can I put the bread?" I ask, and she motions with her head to follow her. I take one look back over at Sofia and see that she is talking up a storm.
We walk over to the table, and I place the bread on it and open the towel that was on top of it. “Oh my goodness, what kind of bread is this?" Savannah asks.
"It’s cranberry orange and white chocolate,” I say, and she grabs a piece.
Her eyes go so big I think they are going to come out of her head. “This is …" She takes another bite. “The best thing I’ve had in my life." She grabs another piece.
"Are you a pastry chef?" she asks, and I laugh.
"I’m a CPA,” I say. “Baking is my side stress reliever."
"Well, if you ever give up numbers,” she says, grabbing another piece. “I suggest baking."
I laugh now. “I used to do it in college,” I say, “after Sofia was born to make extra income." I shrug. “Now it’s just for fun."
"Well, if you ever want to be really crazy, you can bake me a dozen of these before you go, and I’ll buy them from you."
"That’s not even the best one,” I say. “My blueberry lemon scones." I point at her. “Now those."
"When do you think you’ll be making those?" she asks, and I shrug.
"Hopefully, everything is cleared up this week, and I can get back to real life,” I say. “But I’ll make you some tomorrow."
She holds up her hand. “Pinky promise." I shake my head and pinky promise with her. Kallie, Reed’s aunt, comes over, and we catch up for a bit. By the time I look at my watch, two hours have already passed.