Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
He frowned, then began to laugh, although it sounded forced.
“Back at you, Pix.”
“I have to get to work.”
“Go. I’ll clean up and head out. I’ll see you later.”
I waved at him. “You’ll know where I’ll be.”
And I ran.
My phone rang around two. I rubbed my tired eyes as I looked at the number and answered the call. It was the CEO of the company I had worked for before I’d come here.
“Mr. Wheaton. How are you?”
“Casey. I’m good. How are you?”
“Great.”
“Listen, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I have an offer for you.”
“Oh?”
“It’s a great opportunity. You accept this and accomplish it—which I know you will—you can write your own ticket.”
I was intrigued. “How long a project?”
“Nine to twelve months.”
“Wow.”
“I’m going to send you details. Look it over and call me tomorrow.”
“I have a lot on my plate right now.”
“We’ll work around it. But you’re the right one for this. I know it. And the salary is more than generous. Plus bonuses. Read it and make your list of questions—knowing you, there will be a lot. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Okay. I look forward to your email.”
I hung up, wondering what the project was and what it would entail. I wondered if I had enough equipment to handle it or if I would have to buy more.
I shrugged and returned to the task at hand. I supposed I’d find out when the email came through.
I reread the email I’d printed out. Then I read it again.
Mr. Wheaton was right. The project was an incredible opportunity. The salary was tremendous. The scope and the number of people it would take to do this were huge. It also required something he hadn’t mentioned. Me moving back out west and being present for the entire time.
I looked back at the details, wondering why I wasn’t excited. This was a great opportunity. It was what I lived for. What I had been working for.
And moving was never a big deal. I did it all the time. I looked around my snug little nest. Somehow, this time, the decision saddened me. Leaving here felt like leaving Lou again. I sensed her here with me. Every day, another memory surfaced. And every memory, aside from the times we left, was a happy one. I liked Covington. I seemed to fit in here. Other places I’d lived always felt like stops along the way. Aside from coworkers, I made very few connections. Here, I had made friends, and it was going to be hard to say goodbye, even if it had only been a short while.
I glanced at the sofa where Miller and Barney slept. Barney would miss his friend terribly. He’d be dreadfully unhappy when we left. But he’d adapt.
Jesse’s face swam in my mind.
I felt the oddest sensation when thinking of telling him goodbye. Leaving this place.
Leaving him. The thought of not seeing him again almost choked me, but there wasn’t another option. This opportunity was everything I had worked for. Everything I had wanted.
Or was it? a voice whispered in my head.
I rolled my shoulders. Of course it was.
And leaving here would be harder than usual because of the memories tied to Lou. Jesse himself was part of that. And I liked him. I really liked him.
But that was all it was. That was all it could be.
I pushed away the sadness. I’d adapt too.
I always did.
Chapter Thirty-One
JESSE
Ibuilt a fire after it got dark, hoping Casey would join me when she got home. She loved fires. She’d been distracted today. Not herself. I wondered if she was bothered by the encounter with my family more than she let on. I needed to give her a little space to clear her head, yet part of me didn’t want to. I wanted her to talk to me. Rely on me.
I needed her to know she could do that. I would always be there for her.
All day, “I love you” had been running in my head. I said it out loud several times, each time, the words feeling more real. I thought of my life before Casey. The joy and laughter she had brought to it since she arrived. The way she got into trouble and I rescued her. The outdoor decorations and plants I disdained, yet wanted to let her have. Her cooking. The way the house felt different when she was with me. I had always liked it, but with her, it felt like home.
She made that difference.
And I wanted to share that with her.
I had no doubt she’d tell me off, think about it, then inform me how things were going to be.
I had no problem with that as long as it meant her moving to my side of the house and the walls coming down so we could build a life together. The idea of it made me ridiculously happy.