Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
The lump in my stomach swells with his words. “Mom told me all this.”
“Yeah. But did she tell you that you broke that poor girl?”
My jaw clenches. “She didn’t need to.” Neither does he, but he can’t fucking help himself.
“I’m saying, don’t make her life harder than it already is.”
I study the calluses on my work-worn hands. Hands that gripped Emery’s hips, that memorized this new, more mature version of her body, one that’s created life. “That’s the last thing I want to do.” By the way she bolted from my apartment this morning, I’d say I might be failing. “I’m gonna take the tractor in and start stacking the wood.”
I leave my father standing there, but his words trail me all the way back.
The sun is sinking toward the horizon when I reach the barn with the load. My mother’s white farm truck has pulled up, the Landry Market decal that Sarah designed plastered to its door. Sarah spills out the passenger side with Macy, followed by Isla and Egan.
The collies dart across the grass to greet my mother, who still wears her apron from her busy day at the market.
“Isla?” she calls out, waving the girl over.
They exchange a few words and then my mother gives the girl a comforting hug and ushers her toward the main house with her arm around her shoulders.
Sarah sends her kids chasing after their grandmother and then makes her way to where I’m unloading logs for splitting. “More wood?”
“You’re kidding me, right? Have you seen that land you and Jon bought?”
She watches with arms folded over her chest, accentuating her growing belly. We’ve barely talked since last weekend. She’s been even better at avoiding me than Emery was, up until last night.
“How was the market?” I ask.
“Extra busy because we’re closed tomorrow. Everyone’s scrambling to get their pies.”
“That’s a good thing, seeing as Mom made a million of them this week.” It’s amazing how many people have baked a trip here into their weekly routine, given we’re a good twenty-minute drive from town.
“Right?” Sarah pauses. “Your back must be killing.”
“I’m fine.” I nod toward the house. “What’s going on with Isla? That looked like something.”
“Yeah.” Sarah ’s forehead furrows as she follows my gaze. “One of her friends didn’t come home when she was supposed to. No one’s seen her since last night.”
Unease prickles me. “Which friend?”
“Holly.”
Shit.
Sarah watches me closely. “What’s wrong?”
“That’s the blond one, right? I met her last week when they threw a rock through my window. I saw her at the Bale House last night too.”
“That’s the last place anyone saw her.” Sarah hesitates. “She’s a Whitley, you know. Her great-grandmother was, anyway.”
“So I’ve heard.” I’ve given up all pretenses of stacking wood. “How serious do they think this is?”
“It doesn’t sound good. Emery called and asked if Isla could hang out at our place until later. You know, keep her busy. She doesn’t want her sitting at home alone, on her phone.”
“Makes sense.” My mind spins. What are the chances that the girl I run into earlier in the night is now missing? “Do they have any leads on where she went or what happened?”
“No idea. You’ll have to ask Emery.” She hesitates. “Maybe you can if she stays over again tonight.”
I groan. “Are you fucking kidding me? He told you too?”
“Of course he did. He’s my husband! He tells me everything!” Her tone of reproach is almost comical.
“And who else has he run and blabbed to, besides you and Dad?” Obviously, my mother knows. “Is he gonna tell Mak too? “Cause that guy loves to gossip.”
“He hasn’t told anyone else.”
“The last thing Emery needs is a rumor like this floating around.”
“It’s not a rumor if it’s true.”
I glare at her in warning.
Sarah laughs. “Come on, I’m only teasing. No one’s gonna say anything to anyone. It’s Landry business.”
“No, actually, it’s no one’s fucking business. Tell your husband to shut his big mouth.” And to think I was starting to like him.
“Okay. We won’t say another word about it.” She holds up her hands in surrender. “I’m just glad my baby bro finally got laid after so many years. Maybe you’ll smile now. You know, stop scaring the children.”
I roll my eyes at her, but it only earns a robust cackle.
“It’s a good thing Mom bought you those condoms—”
“We’re done here.”
Isla stares me down, two playing cards gripped tightly within her grasp. “You’re bluffing.”
“Put your money where your mouth is, then.” We lock eyes.
Beside her, Thomas sits quietly, glowering at the four community cards.
“Fine.” Isla pushes five snack-size chocolate bars into the center of the dining room table, followed by two more. Halloween is in three weeks, and my mother is already stocking up on candy for the horde of kids who never come to our door. Glad to see some things don’t change around here.