Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Sweetheart, you can’t be working yet,” I said, keeping my voice soft as I moved to stand in front of her.
“I’m not proud to admit this, but we honestly couldn’t afford to be closed another day,” she admitted, giving me a bit of a defeated smile. “I thought I could rally a little better than I have,” she added. “But it’s been so busy. I don’t know if the locals got word of the shooting, and want to show their support or what, but this is the first time I’ve been able to sit for longer than five minutes since we opened. Which is great…”
She let the end of that trail off.
“But you’re exhausted and hurting,” I concluded.
“Something like that,” she agreed.
“Did you take your meds?”
“I was worried they might make me tired or sloppy.”
“Do you have them on you?” I asked, walking around toward the end of the counter, flipping up the divider, and going behind.
“Yes. What are you doing?”
“Helping. Take your meds.”
“Um, do you know how to wait tables? I mean, it’s not exactly rocket science in a small place, but the computer system is a little complicated.”
“Well, you can park your pretty ass at the computer, and I can do the legwork part,” I suggested. “Deal?” When she hesitated, I stepped closer, snagging her chin with my thumb and forefinger, and forcing her face up. “It’s okay to accept help when it’s offered. Or to ask for it when it’s not,” I added.
To that, her lips curved up slightly.
“I believe that, I do. It’s just…” she said, waving outward.
“That it’s only ever been you and your mom, so it’s not easy to admit you two can’t do it all by yourselves,” I supplied for her.
“Yes,” she agreed, and I only realized I’d released her chin to frame the side of her face when she turned her head to rest her cheek against my palm for a second. “But, for the record, you have already done way, way too much,” she told me as she reached under the desk for her bag, then popped open her pill bottle to shake one into her hand.
“Good girl,” I said when she tossed it back with what looked like a cold coffee. “So how are you feeling?” I asked as I went to the sink to wash my hands. “Did you finally get some sleep?”
“Yes, thank goodness,” she said. “I felt like I could take on the world this morning. But, well, it kind of feels like the whole world has been in here today,” she said with a tinkling little laugh.
“My darling girl, I have some food.. Oh!” Sunshine said, coming to a stop right outside of the door that led to the kitchen. “Nino! What a lovely surprise,” she said, beaming at me.
“Nino has offered to help a little bit, so I can sit for a few.”
“You are just the kindest man,” Sunshine declared, coming over to press a kiss to my cheek. Like we were the oldest of friends. “Can I get you something to eat as well?” she asked as she put a plate in front of her daughter, kissing her on the top of her head. “Eat, baby,” she said softly.
And it was clear right then that even free-loving hippie moms were, well, moms, first and foremost. It was probably killing her that she couldn’t give her daughter more time to heal.
“Say yes,” Savannah demanded. “She will just keep asking until you agree to let her feed you.”
“Sounds like my Ma,” I said, smiling. “I’d love something. Anything,” I added.
“Are you in the mood for sweet or savory?” she asked as Savannah started to eat her food.
“Both. Say both,” Savannah urged.
“Both sounds good,” I agreed.
“I will be back in just a few,” Sunshine said, grabbing both of my arms, giving them a squeeze, then heading into the kitchen.
“She would have made you both anyway,” Savannah explained. “She shows her love with food.”
“My Ma is the same way. Woke up the other day to her in my kitchen. With my sister,” I said, shaking my head.
“Was she making you breakfast?”
“Yes. With a side of scolding. Which, apparently, I am never too old for,” I said, watching as she shot me a smile.
“It sounds like you’re close.”
“We are,” I agreed.
“Is your sister older, younger?”
“Younger. I’m the oldest. Of six.”
“Six!” she said, brows shooting up.
“Yeah, guess my parents really liked each other,” I said, listening to that sweet laugh of hers again.
“So do you have mostly brothers, sisters, equal?”
“Valley is the only girl.”
“Oh, you boys must have kept your mother busy,” she decided.
“You have no idea,” I said, shaking my head. We’d never made it easy for her, that was sure.
“I’ve always wondered what a big family is like,” Savannah admitted, giving me a smile of gratitude when I topped off her coffee to warm it up.