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)
"Reed,” she says my name in a whisper, and it brings me back to six years ago when she whispered my name right before I slipped into her.
"Every single day,” I say. “From this day on, it’s going to be us. Me, you, and Sofia."
I want to lean in and kiss her, but instead, I drop my hands from her face and stand. I reach in the back of my pocket and take out the white envelope. “I don’t have much,” I say. “I’ve saved almost everything I’ve made over the years. I didn’t need much to live."
"What are you talking about?” she says, and I hold out the envelope. "Take it, Hazel."
She takes the envelope and opens it, taking out the check for a hundred thousand dollars. She gasps out. “Are you insane?" she asks, shaking her head and putting the check back in the envelope. “I’m not taking this." She stands, pissed now. “Are you nuts?"
"You raised our daughter by yourself for the last five years. That isn’t nearly enough to cover what you did." I turn now and walk toward my truck.
"I’m not taking this!" she yells at my back. “Stupid, stubborn man."
I laugh now. “If you think I’m stubborn now." I open the truck door. “Wait until she tells me she wants to have a boyfriend."
"We need to talk about this," she tells me, putting her hands on her hips.
“We will.” I take a second. “I haven’t slept in two days, so I’m going home now, and I’m going to sleep.” I step up in the truck. “See you tomorrow, Hazel."
"This isn’t over, Reed Barnes,” she says before she storms back into the house. When I hear her slam the door, I laugh.
"Damn fucking right, it’s not over,” I say while I drive away from them. The feeling of dread comes over me. I pick up the phone and call my brother, who answers after one ring.
"I’m putting the baby to bed,” he says, whispering.
"Okay, just wanted to let you know that I need your help,” I say. “Be at the barn at eight thirty tomorrow."
"Whatever,” he says. “Just put a shirt on. Ethan posted a picture on Facebook of you riding a horse without a shirt, and I had to report it for profanity." I laugh now.
"I remember when you wore wifebeaters for a year," I remind him.
"I’m hanging up. Don’t call me back,” he says, disconnecting the call, and I call my father next, who answers right away also, but he’s not whispering.
"Hey, Dad,” I say. “I need a favor."
"Anything," he answers right away.
"Think you can meet me at the barn at eight thirty?" I think about what to say. “I was over to see Hazel, and Sofia was out playing and she fell because the grass was too high." I close my eyes, hoping he doesn’t sense the bullshit that I just gave him. “Since you just bought the house, I thought we could go over and at least clean it up a bit." I get out of the truck and make my way into the house, going straight to the bedroom.
"Yeah," he says. “That sounds good. I’ll message the guys."
"Thanks, Dad,” I say, and then he waits. “For everything."
"Anytime, son,” he says, and for the first time, I get everything that he said. I hang up the phone and collapse into the bed. When I show up at the barn at eight thirty, every single man in my family is there, even Gabriel.
My grandfather is telling them what we are going to be doing, and everyone just listens.
“I’ve got the tractor already at the house,” Grandpa says. “Let’s roll, people."
"I’ll ride with you," I tell my father, getting into his truck with Quinn, who leans his head against the headrest.
"Why the fuck are teeth so hard to cut through the gum?” he says, looking at my father.
"I’m not going to lie," my father says, driving toward Hazel’s. “When you were getting your teeth in, I cried." I look at him in shock. “Seeing your kid in pain and not being able to help them is the fucking worst."
I lean forward now. “Did you cry?" I ask Quinn quietly, and he looks over his shoulder and shakes his head.
"Liar." My father laughs out louder. “You are a liar. I’m going to ask Willow." He parks the truck, and I see that even some of the ranch workers are here.
"I’m going to go and tell Hazel what is going on," I tell them. They both nod at me and walk into the field where my grandfather is now giving orders.
I’m walking to the front door when it opens, and Hazel comes out dressed in yoga pants and a shirt, followed by Sofia in overalls and her green Rubber boots. “Uncle Reed,” she says.
“Hey, sunshine,” I hear my grandfather say from beside me. "Hazel."