Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Plus, Audrey was a single mom before she married. She told me she showed up at the bus station with her baby without telling Logan. He showed up and the first thing he did was give Paisley Jolene a hug. Audrey sighed when she finished telling the story.
Her cowboy husband leaned in for a kiss right there. The two of them are so in love that it almost hurts to look at them. I wonder what it’s like to have someone who loves you so fiercely and accepts you completely.
Before she died, I would have called Shelley to chat about this stuff. No, that’s not true. Before I realized she was using drugs and had stolen my identity, I would have called her. In the final weeks before she died, we barely spoke.
“Be brave,” I tell myself as I dial. Not every person will take advantage of me. There are good people in this world. Like Ernie and Lorna and Griffin. Just thinking about him has me smiling again.
“Hello?” Audrey answers, sounding winded.
“Are you OK?” I ask as thunder rumbles.
“Mmm-hmm,” she murmurs.
“Griffin asked me out,” I blurt out.
“What? That’s amazing,” she squeals. “What did you say? What did he say? How did it happen?”
I giggle. “He asked me—”
“I’ll be right back. This is girl stuff.” There’s a rustling sound and a soft sigh in the background. I hear her murmuring something about making it worth his while later.
“Oh, my goodness, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to call during that.” My cheeks flame. I mean, it’s obvious from the way Logan has his hands all over her when they’re in town that they’re very affectionate. But I didn’t even think about how late it is when I reached to call Audrey. I knew I wanted a girl to talk with.
She laughs, and it’s a rich sound. “Don’t worry. Logan was supposed to be at his brother’s poker game ten minutes ago. Now, tell me about this hottie who asked you out. I can too call him a hottie.” She swears under her breath. “There’s only one cowboy I’m crazy about, you big brute. Now go play with your brothers. You can remind me who I belong to later.”
There’s the sound of a door closing in the background, and she laughs softly. “Thanks for calling. Now he’s going to be insane all night long.”
“Uh, is that a good thing?”
She sighs, her tone going dreamy again like it did the day she described her wedding. “When you’re built like my cowboy with the stamina to go all night long, it’s definitely a good thing. Now, don’t hold out on me. Tell me all the details.”
Audrey and I spend the next hour discussing Griffin and the upcoming date. I finish by telling her, “I don’t even know what I’m going to wear to the date.”
“I have a couple of morning errands, but I’ll be back at the farm by noon if you want to come by tomorrow. We’re about the same size, so you can raid my closet.”
My eyes prick at her unexpected kindness. I never imagined I’d find so many kind people when I moved here. “Are you sure? That would be amazing.”
“This is what girlfriends are for. Promise to call me with the details when you get home from the date. Or you know, the morning after, if things go in that direction.”
I laugh even though I don’t think that’s going to happen. I can’t let myself sleep with him, no matter how hot his kisses make me or how much I’m tempted to swoon when he does nice things for me and Daisy.
“And bring Daisy when you come over. Logan and I can watch her for the evening. Paisley would love to have a playmate,” she says.
I hesitate. I’d planned to bring Daisy with me on the date. I haven’t ever been away from her that long. She’s been with me since the moment I had her. I can’t imagine letting her stay with someone else. What if she needs me? What if I have to leave town suddenly? I’ll need to double back and grab her first. What will I tell Griffin if that happens?
Audrey makes a sympathetic noise. “First time away from her?”
“Pretty much,” I admit as I move to the microwave to warm that piece of cobbler that Lorna set aside for me. I haven’t explained my past to Audrey or anyone. What if they don’t believe me and turn me in? Daisy will go into foster care, and I can’t let that happen. I know what that’s like. Even if you’re lucky enough to be placed with good families, the fear and the uncertainty never quite leave you. You’re always worried that you’re a burden.
Before Audrey can say anything else, thunder rumbles. The storm is picking up, and I cross to the window to peer out from behind the wispy curtains into the backyard. Lightning chooses that moment to illuminate the night, and my blood runs cold at what I see. Someone is there. Outside the chain-link fence. It’s a figure dressed in dark clothing and crouching.