Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 101398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“Everything and everyone are fine,” she cuts me off before adrenaline has the chance to kick in. “But you’re going to have to move your ass, or else we’re going to be late.”
“What are you talking about?” I groan and rub at my eyes. When my vision un-fogs and I can make out the window, I see the morning light coming in through the dusty blinds looks terribly early for my taste. Like the sun is also just waking up from her slumber. “What time is it?”
“A little after seven.”
“Seven?” I nearly shout. “I thought you said the coffee shop was closed today.”
“It is, but it’s the first day of the Fall Farmers Market.” She says the words like they actually make sense. Like a farmers market is a good reason for this horrendously early wake-up call.
“Fall?” I question as I sit up and grab my phone from the nightstand. “It’s August, Jose.”
I tap the screen and find three missed message notifications from Summer. I’m already smiling as I read the first message that reads, we shud get pink purses.
After we left the hospital Tuesday, during the drive home, Summer mentioned that she’s always wanted to have her own iPhone with a glittery pink case. Bennett reminded her that she had an iPad—with a glittery pink case—because it’s easier for her to use, but she wasn’t having it.
“Everyone has an iPhone,” she said. “It’s way cooler than an iPad because it fits in your pocket.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise that once we got her settled at the house, Bennett handed me his credit card, and I was more than happy to run up to the only cell phone store in Red Bridge to make her iPhone—and glittery pink case—wish come true.
Ever since then, whenever I’m not with her and Bennett, she’s been sending me messages.
“Hello? Earth to Norah? Did you hear anything I just said?”
I look up to find Josie staring at me and realize I, in fact, haven’t heard a thing she said. “Mind running that last thing by me again?”
She huffs out a bothered breath. “I said, Red Bridge always starts their fall market the last Saturday in August.”
It takes my brain a hot second to recall what we were even talking about, but it only takes one yawn from my lips to remember.
“That still doesn’t explain why I’m getting woken up at seven in the morning on a day I was going to try to sleep in,” I say, but it’s to her back as she walks out of my bedroom and down the hall. What the hell? “Where are you going?” I call toward her just as my ears register that her phone is ringing from somewhere in the front of the house.
“Be right back!”
Truthfully, she can take all the time she needs. My tired ass is more than happy to go back to bed for another hour or two.
Since leaving the hospital Tuesday, besides sleeping in my bed at night, I’ve spent all my time with Bennett and Summer. And boy, have we been busy. Busy taking Summer to see practically everywhere and everyone in town, and busy soaking her in.
Wednesday, we went to Earl’s for Danimals, but this time, Summer got to come. Bennett rolled his eyes at me—but smiled too—when I had a moment of nostalgia in front of both the milk refrigerators and in the parking lot. We also got ice cream at Joe’s Frosty Freeze and made a bonfire in Bennett’s backyard when we got home. Summer was tired after that much activity, so we didn’t get back after it until Thursday, when we went to Town Square Park, the police station to get an honorary badge from Sheriff Pete, and even to see that busybody Eileen at the paper.
Yesterday, Breezy arrived to find us in Bennett’s studio—a request from Summer herself. We grilled rib eyes and talked and laughed in the backyard for hours. And Summer and I finished the night by making some Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets because Duh, why wouldn’t we?
“Okay, where were we?” Josie announces as she walks back into my bedroom. “Oh, right!” She snaps her fingers. “You need to get your ass out of bed because I need your help.”
“Help?” I furrow my brow. “With what?”
“There’re still a hundred candles that need labels. Not to mention, we have to pack up the car and get to the town square by nine. We’re going to be lucky if we’re there for the early birds at this rate.”
“Candles?” I question and blink a thousand times.
“Grandma Rose’s candles that have now become my candles because I made a promise to her,” she huffs out and turns for the door. “They’re one of Red Bridge Farmers Market’s hottest commodities.”
Since when did Grandma Rose sell candles?
“Josie, you’re going to have to elaborate a little more on the whole candle thing,” I call out toward her retreating back.