Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
“Mom?” I choke out, standing in the doorway. “Kade is on his way. You have to call down to the guardhouse and have them let him in.”
“What?” She barely looks away from her screen. “Why would I do that? I don’t have it in me to fight with him today. He had his chance.”
“It’s not like that. Please, listen to me.”
With a sigh, she turns to me, giving me her full attention. I guess I must look as anxious as I feel because her face falls a little. “What’s wrong? What aren’t you telling me?”
So much. We don’t have time for me to cover everything she doesn’t know. “We can talk about it when he’s here. Please. Call down and tell them not to give him any trouble.”
“I don’t like this, Allie.” It doesn’t stop her from picking up the receiver and pressing the button to the guardhouse by the gate. “Kade Bishop is on his way. Let him in when he arrives.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, relieved. That was the first step, getting him in here. Technically, I could have called down myself, but it will go more smoothly if my mom thinks she’s in control.
Now, things will get really interesting. “I’ll bring him in.”
“I don’t enjoy feeling like I’m being ambushed,” she calls out, but I’m already halfway down the hall, almost running for the door. I can’t believe it, but he is pretty much the only thing getting me through this. He has become my light in the dark. Of all people. Maybe someday, when all of this is behind me, I’ll be able to look back and laugh at how it all turned out. Something tells me that will be a long time from now.
The sight of him rounding a bend in the driveway makes my knees weak. What would I have done without him today? I don’t even want to think about it. Those assholes would have followed me home, and who knows what they would have done.
Instead of waiting for him, I meet him outside, wrapping my arms around myself and shivering as he parks and climbs out, looking every inch the delicious cowboy. He’s so sure of himself all the time, looking confident, and that’s what I need more than anything. To know how strong he is. He can handle what I can’t. He has to. Otherwise, what do I do?
I always used to believe I was strong enough to take whatever came my way. I guess covering up a murder is my limit.
“I thought you’d never get here,” I admit when he reaches the top step. “Is everything all right with your brothers?”
I don’t like the way he winces, but I know better than to think he’ll explain anything. “It’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about them.”
I lean in a little, craving his touch, but he gives his head a tiny shake. “Not here. Let’s go inside.”
This has to be a dream, right? Kade Bishop, acting level-headed for once.
“Wait a second.” I block his way, then ask, “What are you doing? Like, how are we handling this? She’s not just going to let you stay because you said so.”
“We’ll have to tell her at least part of the truth.”
Oh, because that makes me feel so much better. “How much of it?”
“I’ll handle this. You don’t have to say a word if you don’t want to.”
“Are you my lawyer all of a sudden?”
“If you want to think of me that way.”
I was joking. He is not. “No, really, what are you planning to say to her?” I don’t think anyone could blame me for still being a little nervous after he announced our parents’ affair in front of every wealthy, connected person in the area.
“I’ll tell her the basics.”
Like that’ll help. “She’s going to have so many questions.”
His dark eyes narrow. His already sharp jaw tightens. “That’s fine. I’ll answer them. You will not.”
I don’t know whether to be grateful to him or irritated. “I can still speak for myself, you know.”
“Make up your mind.” He rolls his eyes. “If you feel more comfortable explaining why I’m staying, be my guest.”
He makes a decent point. I definitely don’t want to explain all this.
“Allie.” He pins me in place with a heavy stare. It’s not cruel, there’s no coldness behind it, but I feel its weight. It’s almost like he reached out and shook me. “You can’t keep letting your anxiety win. I know you’ve been through a lot. We’re working on getting you out of it. Keep reminding yourself how strong you are, and let me handle the rest. All right?”
He’s right. I have to stop backsliding into my panic and giving in to this crushing weight on my shoulders. “Okay. Right. I need to chill out.”
“That’s my girl,” he says with the first grin I’ve seen since he arrived. “I won’t let you down.”