Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I don’t give a shit whether my father was faithful or not. Just tell me who I have to kill. Let’s get it over with.”
Grandfather nods. He gathers a few documents off his desk and stacks them neatly. “I’ve given this some thought,” he says. “And I have unfinished business with your brother-in-law, Falcon Bellamy.”
I shake my head. “Oh, no. I will not kill my sister’s future husband. This isn’t a damned movie and I’m not Michael Corleone.”
“I want to see Savannah happy as much as you do. I know you don’t believe this, but I love all of my grandchildren.” He picks up a framed photo from the corner of his desk and studies it. “No one was sadder to see Michael die.”
I resist rolling my eyes. “If not Falcon, then who?”
“Someone that will hurt him. One of his siblings, I think.” He puts the photo down and strokes his chin. “Perhaps the one he just saved from her cancer. Raven Bellamy.”
3
RAVEN
I need a project.
I have an idea of what I would like it to be. I would love my brothers’ involvement, but they’re clearly occupied with something else. Something they won’t discuss with me.
So I decide to call my sister, Robin.
Robin and I are twins—fraternal, not identical—but we do look similar. Of course, it’s easier to tell us apart now because she has gorgeous long dark hair.
And I don’t.
Robin lives on the Bellamy land. She and I both have our own places, but I’ve been staying at the main house with Mom and Dad since I’ve been home for my recovery. I’m hoping it’s only a few more days before I can move back to my own place.
Robin is a veterinarian, and she works here on the ranch. It’s a weekday and she’s no doubt busy, but I decide to call her anyway.
“Hey, sis,” she says when she answers the phone.
“Hey, Robbie. I need your help.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“I need a project. I think I’d like to give back to the cancer community.”
“Hold on a minute, Ray. You’re still technically part of the cancer community. You need your rest. Falcon’s bone marrow may have saved your life, but you’re still in recovery. Have you forgotten that you left the hospital against medical advice?”
“It wasn’t exactly against medical advice. They saw that the bone marrow was working, but they wanted me to stay there for observation. I was sick and tired of that fucking hospital bed, Robin. So I came home. And since I’ve been home, I’ve continued to thrive.”
“Except for those few days when you contracted a virus and Mom and Dad had to run you back to the hospital.”
“And it turned out to be only a virus. I’m fine. I’m healing.” As I say this I realize my voice is raised. I take a deep breath and attempt to reel it back in. “I’m just so sick of hospitals.”
“I understand that.”
I can’t help rolling my eyes. Robin says she understands. They all do. But in truth, none of them understand. They haven’t lived it.
I won’t say that to my sister though. She means well. Plus, I called to get her help.
“Don’t worry. Mom is watching me like a hawk. And Falcon hardly leaves my side, despite the fact that he’s newly engaged and should be at his own place with his fiancée. I’m fine. I need something to occupy my brain since Mom and Dad won’t let me do any work around the ranch.”
“All right. What did you have in mind?”
“I’d like to start a nonprofit organization. Something to benefit the research of blood cancers.”
“Okay. That’s a noble calling, Ray, but I can’t help you with that. If it doesn’t involve healing animals, I’m not your girl. I don’t know anything about that kind of stuff.”
“I don’t either. We’ll both be starting from scratch. I’ll use my trust fund to set it up.”
“Okay. I’ll be happy to kick in as well. I think it’s a great cause. But other than financially, I’m not sure how I can benefit you.”
“I just need your support, Robin. I’m home with nothing else to do, so I can do the research. But I want to know you’re behind me. You’re my twin. I want you to be my partner in this.”
Silence for a moment, until—
“I’m really touched, Ray. Truly.”
“Who else would I ask?”
Robin doesn’t answer. I can see why she’s confused. She was always more like a brother than a sister to me. She matched the boys on everything they did around the ranch, while I was a little softer and gentler. Oh, I learned my way around the ranch. I can ride a horse with the best of them. But I’m happier at home, hanging out with Mom, learning to cook and make a home the way she does.
“I just want you involved, Robin. I’m hoping it’ll bring us closer. One thing I learned when I was sick is that I don’t ever want to take you or my brothers for granted again.”