Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Do you want us to stay?” Katy asked. “Or come home with us and stay until Luc comes back?”
Ashley blinked at her question. “You would stay?”
“Of course, dear.”
“I think I’m okay. I need time to process all this, and I tend to do that alone.”
Katy chuckled. “Another trait you share with your father. He broods, though.”
“I do not,” I replied, lying through my teeth. I brooded a lot.
“Deep, dark, broody moments,” Katy whispered to Ashley, making her smile. “All Wuthering Heights-type moments.”
I had to chuckle as both women laughed.
“Enough. Stop giving my daughter the wrong idea about me. I’m nothing but fucking sunshine and roses,” I grumbled.
“Oh, and the language,” Katy tsked.
Ashley smiled and reached for my hand, wrapping her fingers around mine. “It’s okay, Richard. From now on, I’ll make up my own mind about you. And so far—you’re doing okay.”
I winked at her. “Good to know.”
32
ASHLEY
Katy and Richard left not long afterward, making me promise to call if I changed my mind. Richard wasn’t happy about leaving, and his genuine concern touched my heart. It felt nice to be worried about by a parental figure.
It felt nice not to hate him.
I sat on the sofa, rereading my mother’s letter. Richard had left his envelope behind, and after a while, I slipped both letters into the manila envelope and put them back where I found them. I would replace the glass for the picture tomorrow and return it to my nightstand. The letters belonged with the pictures. They showed me growing up with my mom, and her story was connected to those pictures. I would keep them together.
Luc called when he took a break, his voice concerned when I answered.
“Ashley, love, you called? Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” I assured him, then told him everything that had transpired.
“Holy shit,” he muttered a few times during my explanation, otherwise remaining silent and letting me talk.
When I finished, he whistled. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.” He paused. “But I’m glad you reached out to Richard.”
“He was great,” I replied. “He and Katy. She’s very, ah, lovely.”
“She’s amazing. Very maternal with everyone. She’s perfect for Richard.” He stopped speaking. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
I cut him off. “No, you’re right. They’re a great couple.” I swallowed. “I want to get to know them better.”
“I know they’ll be thrilled.”
I told him about the brunch on Sunday.
“Are you ready for that?” he asked.
“If you’ll come with me.”
“I’ll go with you anywhere.”
“Then, yes, we’ll go.”
“I’m proud of you, Ashley.”
“For what?” I snorted. “Being an angry woman who refused to listen?”
“No,” he said softly. “Being a smart woman who admitted she was wrong and reached out to the one person who would understand. Richard was hurting too. You’ve started the healing process.”
“I have to apologize to Grace and Heather as well.”
“You can do that on Sunday. Just showing up will send the message. It all has to start somewhere.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I am. I’ll be right beside you on Sunday.”
“That helps.” I yawned, suddenly exhausted.
“Go to bed, love. I’m going to head back to the server room. I think I’ve isolated the problem. The sooner I fix it, the sooner I can come home.”
“I like the sound of that. But aren’t you tired?”
“Nah, I’m good. Sleep well, baby. I know it was hard to read the letter and understand, but today was a good day. You can move forward now, knowing the truth.”
“Yeah.”
“And, Ash?”
“Hmm?”
“Your mom would be proud too.”
Sunday, I was a nervous wreck. More than once, I wanted to ask Luc to turn the car around. I tried at one point, and he simply lifted my hand, kissed it, and shook his head.
When we arrived, he opened my door. “Let’s go, love.”
“Luc—”
He cut me off. “It’s all going to be fine. I promise.”
I let him pull me from the car. “You’re not the one they hate.”
“They don’t hate you. They’re confused too. Show them the real Ashley, and all the love you keep bottled up, you’ll get it in return. Trust me, I know them.”
He handed me the flowers we had picked up and tucked the bottle of scotch he’d gotten Richard under his arm.
“Why are you taking him alcohol?” I asked.
He winked. “I gotta suck up to my prospective father-in-law.”
I stared after him, aghast. “You’re joking.”
He winked. “Am I?”
I wasn’t sure I would survive the day.
Luc rang the bell, waiting patiently.
“I think I’m going to throw up.”
He grimaced. “Maybe you should do that outside.”
“You’re being an asshole, you know that?”
He pulled me close, kissing my temple. “Yep. I’m making you smile. Shame on me.”
I rolled my eyes, my nerves full force as the door opened. A man stood in front of us, the mirror image of a young Richard. He had the same height and build. The same arrogant tilt to his chin I had seen in pictures. We shared the same eye color, but the big difference was the expression in his. My father as a younger man had been removed, cold. This man’s eyes were warm, filled with life, and gentle. His lips were curled into a welcoming smile.