Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“I don’t know why he’s still here,” he says. “His son left him. His wife left him. The last I knew, he moved. I don’t know why he’s back, but I don’t like it.”
I wish I had the answer for Liam. There isn’t a doubt in my mind, he struggles when it comes to Sterling. Noah doesn’t. He never had a relationship with him. My grandpa was more of a grandpa to Noah than Sterling’s ever been.
Liam stays with me while I try to finish my shopping. I appreciate him doing so. But any appetite I had is long gone. I put a couple of things into my cart and then check out. The cashier eyes Liam. I like to think it’s because of the way he’s holding Stevie Nicks and not because he’s famous. Everyone knows him around town, and no one bothers with him. Those days are long gone.
We walk to my car, and he puts Stevie Nicks into the back. “Come over for dinner,” he says as he shuts the door.
“Okay. Let me take these bags back to my grandpa’s and then I’ll be over. Is it okay if I bring her?” I point to the backseat.
Liam laughs. “Of course.” He pulls me into his arms. “Drive safely and do me a favor—text me when you get home and when you’re on your way—I don’t think I need to tell you why.”
“Nope, you don’t. I will. I’ll be over soon.”
He waits for me to get in and drive away. I do as he asks, and I text him as soon as I’m in the house and then text him when I’m on my way.
Betty Paige is waiting outside when I pull up. As soon as I’m parked, I get out and open the backdoor for Stevie Nicks. She still won’t jump out, so I pick her and then set her on the ground.
“Come to Auntie,” Paige says as she spreads her arms out wide. Stevie Nicks runs to her without a clue as to who she is. They’ve met once, but the dog doesn’t care. She loves people and showers Paige with kisses as she tackles her.
“Just push her off when you’re done.”
“I’ll never be done,” Paige says. “I’m hoping Dad lets me get a dog.”
He might after today.
“If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“Let me keep her overnight?”
I shake my head. “Absolutely not. You can come stay with me though,” I tell her. “I’m all by myself in that house.”
“Or you can stay here.” I look toward the door where Josie’s standing, leaning against the frame. If Noah was here, this is where I’d be, but I thought it might be awkward if I stayed here without him. “Come on,” she says. “It’s time for dinner. Paige, wash up.”
Paige rolls her eyes. “She’s bossy.”
“She’s being a mom.” I help her stand and call for Stevie Nicks to follow us.
“Are you going to stay here?” Paige asks as we get to the stairs.
“I don’t know. Should I?”
She nods. “I think Mom would like it. She misses Aunt Katelyn a lot, so having you here would sort of ease the ache.”
I smile at my sister-in-law. She’s right, I should stay here. “Okay, as long as your parents are good with having a puppy around.”
“I’m going to be sick tomorrow so I can stay home and play with her.”
“She’s not going anywhere, ya know.”
Paige looks at me and smiles. “I know, but I want her to love me, so when the baby comes and everyone’s too busy with baby stuff, Stevie Nicks will know who loves her.”
Her words give me pause. I look at my pup, who I love very much, and wonder if there’s any validity in what Paige says. No, there isn’t. Stevie Nicks is very much part of our lives and will be right by our side when the baby comes.
“When are you going to start showing, by the way?”
I look down at my stomach. “Not for a bit, I think. I’m not that far along.”
“So, like you’re not craving ice cream?”
I laugh. “I’m always craving ice cream. Come on, let’s eat and then we’ll make Liam take us to get ice cream.”
“Oh, joy,” she mutters as we go inside.
The fun teenage years have arrived. I remember mine clearly. All hormones and anger. I guess I have all that to look forward to.
22
NOAH
It’s been almost a month since I’ve seen my wife. Each day, I’ve had her send me a photo of her belly so I can keep up with my daily snapshots. When she first arrived in Beaumont, she stayed at her grandfather’s until my mom invited her to stay at their house. I’m happy Peyton and Stevie Nicks went there, especially after my dad filled me in on the encounter with Sterling. He’s never paid us any attention, not that we’d accept any, so I’m not exactly understanding why he did what he did. I’ll never know either.