Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“Yes, I’ve learned a lot these last several weeks, mostly how unfulfilled my life has actually been, and it’s brought me closer to my siblings. It’s opened up a part of my heart I didn’t know existed and where Sylvie will reside. And… there’s you.”
“There’s me,” I echo his sentiment, still not quite sure why he’s focusing on me when there are so many other important things going on.
“I couldn’t have handled any of this without you,” he says, and another epiphany hits. He wants to show his gratitude.
“You would’ve handled it all just fine,” I say dismissively and I start to drop my head back down to snuggle into him.
His hand moves to my chin, holding me in place, his green eyes now dark with intensity. “No, I wouldn’t have. But more than giving me strength and confidence with Sylvie, you gave me yourself. You gave me your smiles, your tenderness, your sass, your jokes and your serious obsession with reality TV.” His thumb strokes over my bottom lip, his gaze dropping there as he murmurs, “You gave me that mouth and your body.”
His eyes lift, pinning me in place. My heartbeat thunders in my ears so I barely hear him say, “I’m wondering if you’ll give me your heart?”
I’m so breathless, I can barely say the words. “You already have my heart.”
“Well, that’s good then. Because you most definitely have mine.”
I feel like I’m trapped, hypnotized by the intense expression on his face and the power of his words. “Something monumental is happening in our relationship.”
“Does that scare you?” he asks, head tilted slightly.
I shake my head but then smile sheepishly. “A little.”
“Would it scare you if I told you I love you?”
That sucks the oxygen from me and I can only stare at him until I feel like I’m going to pass out. I force a breath and let it out in a whoosh. “Oh, wow.”
“I’m not sure how to take that response,” he says, although I can tell he’s amused.
“I just… are you saying you love me?”
“I don’t know. Would it scare you away?”
I shake my head this time and there’s no bashful smile with it. “Won’t scare me away.”
His smile brightens, something I haven’t seen in a few days, and it sparks joy within me that, despite everything he’s been through, Ethan is latching on to a moment of happiness.
With me.
“I love you,” he says emphatically. “I do. And I can’t go another minute without you knowing that, and I need you to know that I need you, and whatever you need, I’ll give it to you. I’ll give you the moon if you ask for it. Now, you said you already gave me your heart, but I don’t read between the lines very well. I need you to be a bit more direct with me.”
Looping my arms around his neck, I grin as I brush my mouth over his. Leaning back so I can look him in the eye, I tell him what he wants to know. “I love you. So much. And I’m right by your side, through whatever storm is coming. I’ve got both you and Sylvie.”
“I know you do. And I love you even more for it.”
Ethan kisses me, none too gently but immediately consuming. It can’t go anywhere, because Sylvie is upstairs sleeping. But it’s enough to tide me over until we can have time alone.
In the quiet of the Blackburn home, steeped in history and hate, love and redemption, closed doors and worlds of possibilities, I sink into the man who’s shown me that it’s possible to love again.
CHAPTER 26
Ethan
I’ve timed the end of afternoon carpool very well, allowing me to pull into the parking lot after the long line of cars has moved out. I’m not here to pick up Sylvie, as she’s in Louisville for the day with my mother and Kat. They’ll be back after dinner and I took the entire afternoon off from the farm so I could spend it with Marcie.
Despite the fact that Lionel was arrested two days ago upending our world, and despite the fact that Sylvie is having a bit of a difficult time processing things, we are doing what Blackburns do best.
We’re handling it.
Sylvie hasn’t returned to school yet, but we figured her missing two days wasn’t a big deal because she’s smart as hell and diligent in keeping up with her work. She had a visit with a therapist yesterday that Marcie arranged, and I sat in with her. I needed the guidance as much as she did and what I learned during the session, more than anything else, is that my kid is resilient.
It seems that after the initial shock of understanding someone—her own family member—wanted to hurt her, she’s chosen to draw strength from the family unit that she knows will protect her from all the bad things in the world. She’s settled in as a Blackburn and is leaving the Mardraggons behind.