Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I reach for Archer, and he takes my hand. As he nods to his dad, together, we make our way down the steps. Each of his brothers, their wives, and their kids take their turn hugging me goodbye. And then there’s Carol, as she stands next to Raymond, who has his arms wrapped around her.
“We love you, Scarlett. We’re proud of you, and your parents would be proud of you.”
A sob breaks free, and Archer pulls me into his chest, holding me tightly. I have never felt more loved in my entire life.
I need to leave. I need to just get into my car. One foot in front of the other. This is the plan. I’m chasing my dreams. The assignment I accepted will be in all kinds of travel brochures for Michigan. It’s a huge opportunity for my career.
This is what I need to do.
I take a few deep breaths and face the crowd of Kincaids. “Thank you so much.” My voice cracks, but I push through. “To have you all here. Not just for me, but for him.” I turn to look at Archer over my shoulder. He’s standing behind me, my back to his front. He kisses my temple, and I turn back to his family. “Take care of him for me.” It’s not a question because I know that they will.
“I’ll never forget your kindness. Thank you for one of the best years of my life.” I turn to Archer. “Walk me to my car?”
“Your suitcase is already in the back,” Raymond tells us.
“Thank you.” I don’t look at him. I can’t. It’s too hard. The pain is too intense. I knew this was going to hurt, but fuck, this is not what I expected. I feel like my heart is being ripped from my chest.
We reach my car, and I can’t take a full breath. Archer bends down and smiles softly. “I love you, Scarlett. Be safe, baby. Let me know how the trip is going and when you get there.”
I nod.
“Chase those dreams, Firecracker. Reach for the fucking stars, and grip them in your hold.”
I can’t control my tears as they fall, coating my cheeks. “I love you. I’ll never forget you.”
“I’ll see you again, baby. I promise you that.”
“You never break your promises.”
“Never, baby.” He hugs me one more time before opening my door. I climb in, and he waits for me to be strapped in before he leans in and kisses me one more time. “Safe travels, Firecracker. Stay wild.” He gives me a sad smile, and I return it.
This man… the way he loves me. It’s once in a lifetime.
I nod, and he closes my door. Putting my car in Reverse, I pull out of his driveway. I glance into the rearview mirror. I should have known better. Archer stands in the center of the road, his family surrounding him as they watch me drive away.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
Archer
My hand is fisted over my chest, right where my heart aches. The pain is not something I’ve ever felt, and I know the memory of this agony, this searing inferno in my chest, will stay with me forever.
I move to the street as I watch her car disappear. I know my family joined me. I can feel them rally around me. I’d expect nothing less, but right now, I can’t even form the words to tell them what it means to me that they were here for me. For her.
The pain has stolen my voice.
I’m still refusing to budge a single inch, keeping my eyes on the back of her car as she drives away, taking my heart with her.
When her car finally disappears, I suck in my first full breath since she pulled out of my driveway. I manage to mutter “Thank you” as I move to the front porch.
I don’t know who I am without Scarlett.
That’s scary as fuck.
I glance over at my truck, and I know that I can catch up with her. I could flash my lights, get her to pull over, and beg her to stay.
“I should have asked her to stay,” I say to myself.
“You did the right thing, bro.” I look up to find Orrin standing next to me. “She needs to make that choice.”
I nod. I know he’s right. Maybe I should call her. Tell her one more time how much I love her. No, that’s just going to make this harder on both of us. By the time she checks in with me in a few hours, I’ll be more composed.
Closing my eyes, I focus on breathing. I expected this to be hard, but fuck, I never expected to feel like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and packed away in the back of her Subaru.
I feel a hand on my shoulder. Then another, and another, and another. I suck in a breath, trying to hold it together. When I feel arms wrap around my waist, my eyes pop open, wishing, praying it’s her, but it’s Ramsey. Her eyes are shimmering with tears. I don’t have time to tell her I’m okay before my parents, the rest of my sisters-in-law, and my nieces and nephews all assemble around me.