Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
The wind picked up even more, and I finally forced myself to open the car door. Gravel crunched under my feet, and the porch light flickered as another low growl of thunder rolled across the valley.
Pulling the keys from my tote and grabbing my suitcase from the back seat, I hurried up the steps and unlocked the door. It creaked when I pushed it open, the sound swallowed almost immediately by the storm outside as rain started to fall behind me.
Once inside, my gaze landed on the fireplace first. More specifically, on the urn sitting on the mantel.
I’d braced myself for it, but the sight still made my breath catch in my lungs. It was a simple brass vessel, nothing ornate. But knowing what it held made my chest tighten uncomfortably.
The lights flickered when I flipped the switch, blinking once before filling the room in soft gold. Thunder boomed outside again, but it was closer now.
I forced myself to explore the living room. The place was small but cozy. Two armchairs were angled toward the fireplace, a bookshelf overflowing with paperbacks lined a wall, and a knitted throw was folded neatly over the sofa. Everything was tidy and cared for, which made me wonder if someone had been looking after the place in the months since my grandmother passed away.
I felt a pang of loss, wishing I’d known her. I wondered if she’d tried to get my parents to let me spend time with her growing up, but they’d refused.
As I was straightening a few toppled books on the shelves, I noticed a slim wooden box tucked toward the back. It looked hand-carved, and the latch was tipped up. I hesitated, then pulled it free and walked over to the small dining table in the eat-in kitchen.
Flipping open the lid, I found a watch and a couple of pairs of earrings on top. They looked old and expensive, but it was what I discovered beneath them that was the real treasure. Letters.
Some were loose, others were in envelopes labeled with years in descending chronological order. Toward the bottom, they were addressed to my parents and marked with Return to Sender.
Picking up the first envelope that hadn’t been mailed, I tugged the letter from it and started to cry when I saw it was addressed to me.
My dearest Rowan,
I’m sorry to say I’ve given up hope of your parents letting me see you again.
I love my son, but I don’t like the person he grew into. One who values money over family and the city life over simple things. I’ll never understand how he could grow up in Timber Ridge without learning how important love is.
Unfortunately, he didn’t like some home truths I shared with him during your visit ten years ago, and he refused to speak with me ever again. A threat he’s followed through on, much to my despair.
Please know you have all my love, and I will always be thinking about you.
Love,
Grandma
I was bawling by the time I read the last line. She’d given me the answers I never thought I’d have, but it hurt so much to think of her being all on her own without me knowing.
The lights flickered again, and the room plunged into momentary darkness before they buzzed back on. I jolted and mumbled, “Okay. Enough of this for tonight.”
I slid the letters back into the box and gently closed the lid. I’d read the rest later, when my brain wasn’t fried, and I wasn’t a sobbing mess. Right now, I needed a hot shower, a soft bed, and a good night’s sleep.
4
BEXLEY
We were in the middle of closing down the kitchen for the night, and I couldn’t focus on a damn thing. My bear paced so hard inside me that it felt like claws dragged along the inside of my ribs. Every time I tried to steady my breathing, agitation slammed through me.
The storm raging outside didn’t help. Thunder cracked against the restaurant windows, and the lights flickered overhead several times. It had blown in fast enough to make everyone in Timber Ridge take notice.
Another rumble vibrated the floor, and my bear shoved against my skin, roaring about Rowan being alone in unfamiliar territory.
I gripped the edge of the prep table, trying to ground myself. It didn’t help. I could barely stand being this far from Rowan.
Peppa’s gaze snapped to me from the expo line, her lioness flashing in her eyes. “If you don’t go check on her, your bear is going to take the whole kitchen down with him.”
I froze. “I’m not done—”
“Bexley.” She pointed toward the door, as if she were directing her son Cyrus to a time-out. “Go. Before you tear the stove in half.”
Aero snorted behind me. “And your station will be safe with me if you can’t make it in tomorrow.”