Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
5: The Grind
Dash
October 2019
Some folks might raise a brow, Beau also fell into that category, but these days I truly genuinely dedicated at least eight hours a day, five days a week, to my law firm. The success I built was sweet, and the connections and friendships I forged added sprinkles to my well-rounded life, making it all the more precious for me and my family. But, man, nothing could beat the liberating feeling I got in the late afternoons when I caught a glimpse of my home on the same street where Beau and I started our love affair. Inside that cozy haven was my family—a miracle after everything Beau and I had lived through—waiting for me to arrive.
All right, for the sake of truth, they probably weren’t pacing the floor, waiting for my arrival, but I was ready to be there with them again. I wasn’t quite sure if I knew if Beau was home already. The farther I went down the street, I saw Duke and Dixie running freely in the fenced yard. They were still incredibly well-trained. Beau worked with them all of the time. Taking them on any trips where we drove. As I got closer, I spotted the edge of a swing, small tennis shoes kicking out before descending.
Everything about my life was vastly different than where I started in Southlake, Texas. Thank goodness for that.
Beau ran his and our lives in the same way he treated the German shepherds. The tough love guy, who always monitored everything in our lives. He helped Amelia cook healthy meals, cleaned the house, gave baths, and bought an Audible account to read to the girls every night. I, on the other hand, had a regular supply of Drumstick ice creams, Snack Pack puddings, and real sugar Dr. Pepper drinks waiting as my after-dinner treat. It bothered the hell out of Beau when he caught me splitting my desserts in four ways.
I hardly gave a second thought to the whistle Beau used on either the dogs or the girls, but I was certain it worked like magic. It always did, regardless of how other people judged his techniques.
Once I passed the small cluster of trees, I spotted West’s swing near Beau’s generously oversized workshop, the little guy’s hands moving as if capturing the air. Again, Beau would throw a fit if I mentioned West being his biological son, because he was both of ours, but it was obvious. Besides looking like him, the little guy loved the sunshine and was at home being outside.
I’d quietly worried that I might not feel the same bond with him that I did with my biological children, but boy, I’d gotten it wrong. He was my little buddy. I often volunteered for nighttime duty. Neither West nor I were big sleepers. The hours I spent alone with him in the middle of the night were precious moments I cherished. He and I had long conversations and reading sessions, mostly about my work. I even shared secret information, but he never spilled the beans.
Also, West didn’t judge my reading glasses that no one else knew I wore. They made me feel old, but West loved me no matter what I looked like. He probably thought I was his favorite father.
The turn into our circular drive brought a sense of anticipation. I never took a single moment for granted. If I’d managed to hang on to a bad mood to this point, being here made life right as rain again.
The home was stately, the exterior and interior represented both of us. We went with red brick, light and dark trimmings with a large wraparound porch, I’d insisted on that add-on. Three large rocking chairs and four smaller ones sat to the left of the door. I liked to eat my ice cream Drumstick while watching the sun set in the evening.
Amelia enjoyed sitting with me and seemed as appreciative of this life as I was. My love and respect for her had only grown over the years. She barely left this house, superstitious of everything these days, but I was glad she found contentment. She was such a loving, nurturing person.
As I put my SUV in park—Tahoe large enough to fit us all—I spotted the fence gate opening and three blonde heads running toward me, Duke and Dixie bolting along with them. I shrugged off my suit coat before opening the SUV’s door, hoping to keep the dog hair to a minimum.
Both dogs came to an abrupt skidding halt, Beau didn’t allow either to jump on people, but they whimpered, wagging tails, prancing all over the place. I bent to pet them while the girls reached me, all trying to hug me at once.
I groaned when the dogs leaped inside the car, why had I left the door open? They were always eager for a ride. It took seconds for them to be seated in the furthest set of backseats, where they’d stay in wait for hours if we left them.