Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
I wonder where Ethan is now, what he’s doing. I remember what Sly told him about not fucking this up. He did fuck it up, although it wasn’t quite in his control.
I shake my head. I don’t care, not about Ethan or what may happen between him and his father. I think about what I’ve learned about my grandfather, my uncle. I wonder if my grandfather is like Chandler. I’m not sure I want anything to do with him if he is. According to Silas, he’s dying. Is that even true?
What he said about Ethan’s plan, though, that I can’t wrap my brain around. I may not know Ethan the way I thought I did but I know he’s not capable of murder. That’s too far-fetched.
I pull the plug on the drain and stand up, feeling steadier as I towel off. I put the nightgown and panties back on even though I’d love something fresh, but it’s this or naked right now. When I walk back into the bedroom, I see another steaming mug of broth on the nightstand. I drink it all, take two aspirin, then get back into the bed. Even though I’ve slept most of the last week away, I’m exhausted, and I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
I must sleep solidly through the night and most of the next day because when I open my eyes again, it’s to the sound of rain pelting the windows. The sky is a dirty gray, and the clock on the nightstand tells me it’s a little after two.
I’m stretching when someone knocks on the door.
“Come in,” I say, expecting Silas but seeing Lourdes, who is carrying a plate of eggs and fruit and a big steaming mug of coffee. The scent of it all makes my stomach growl embarrassingly loud.
“Good morning. I mean afternoon,” Lourdes says. “You slept a long time. How do you feel?”
“Better. I guess I needed it.” I do feel clearer, my head not as foggy. “Is this your bed, Lourdes? Did I displace you?”
“No, don’t worry about that. You look better,” she says as I take the dish from her and set it on my lap before sipping the coffee.
“This is delicious,” I say, the coffee perfectly made with lots of cream and sugar.
“Silas made it for you,” Lourdes says and ruins it.
I set the coffee aside and pick up the fork. “Is he here?” I try to ask casually.
“Right here,” comes Silas’s voice from the door. I startle and the fork slips from my hand, clattering loudly against the plate on my lap.
I clear my throat and try not to look at him. He’s showered and dressed, and the beard he was sporting is gone, replaced by his usual five o’clock shadow.
Lourdes smiles. “I’ll leave you two alone. Dress is in the closet. It should fit. I was your size once a very long time ago.” She smiles at me then turns to Silas. “We’ll be ready when you are,” she tells him on her way out. I guess she’s talking about the wedding.
Silas thanks her and waits for her to close the door before approaching the bed.
“How do you feel?” he asks, and there’s something in the way he’s looking at me that’s off.
“Fine.” I put a bite of eggs into my mouth and chew. At least we have that signed agreement. It should make me feel better, somewhat in control of what is happening to me. I’ve been out of control for so long. But then there’s something else that comes to mind. A prenup. If it’s true about my grandfather, what about Silas? Would he—
No. I stop.
He wouldn’t hurt me. I know that in my gut.
I clear my throat. “How are we getting married exactly if we’re trapped here in this cabin?”
“Father Emiliano will marry us. Lourdes will be our witness.”
“Ah. You really have thought of everything.”
“You look better, O.”
I eat another bite of eggs although I’m not hungry anymore. “I want to go to see my father with you,” I tell him, trying again.
“No.”
“We’ll be married. Like you said last night, I can’t marry Ethan if I’m already married to you.” The thought, the words, send not dread but an almost electrical charge through me I know I shouldn’t feel.
“No. Not yet. Eat.” He checks the time.
“In a rush?”
“The sooner we get this done, the better.”
“Know that you’ll be forcing me. It wouldn’t be a choice I’d make if I had any choice at all.”
He grits his teeth but nods tightly. “I’ll help you get dressed.”
“I’m fine. I can dress myself. I need to use the bathroom, so you can go.” I cross to the bathroom door but when I put my hand on the doorknob, I realize something. Ethan’s engagement ring is gone. “Where’s my ring?” I ask.