Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“Thank you kindly.” She laughs. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” I say, “and I want all the details. Also send me your location. I'm not sure I can get to you, but at least I’ll know where you are. Oh, put an air tag in your bra.”
She laughs. “You need to stop listening to those true crime podcasts. And you have to fill me in on the guy you said you were going out with.” I close my eyes, thinking about the horrible date I had with Caleb.
“Yup,” I reply, not to make her late. “Be safe.”
“Love you,” she says, disconnecting as soon as I sit in the truck.
Instead of going straight home to shower, I head to the barn to see Juliet. I see the clouds haven’t cleared up, but it hasn’t rained yet. Keeping my head down, I do not look over at Emmett’s black Mustang as I walk toward my stall. “Hey, pretty girl,” I greet, opening the gate and heading inside. I put my head to her neck. “I need you today,” I admit, letting the one lone tear come out, “more than ever.” I whisper to her, “I am letting him go.” She holds all my secrets. “It’s time to let him go and find love with someone who will love me back.” I wipe my tear. “Let’s get you some water, yeah?” I walk over to the hose, grabbing it and dragging it with me. I fill up her water and then walk over to the fridge, where I grab two carrots, then go back and grab two more. “Here you go,” I tell his horse as I hold out the carrots for him. “It’s not your fault.” He nuzzles my hand before I walk over and give Juliet her own two carrots.
That night when I slide into bed, I feel a sense of mourning wash over me. I toss and turn, and by the third day of him not being here, I think I have everything under control. Or at least that is what I’m telling myself.
I’ve never felt more lost in my life than I have the past three days. I do what I need to at work, but I think everyone knows something is off even though no one says anything. It’s like every single time I walk out into the barn to deliver a message or something and I see his desk without him sitting there, the ache just becomes even bigger. “Hey, Sammy.” I walk over to him. “We are going to have to switch up Rosy for Rudy,” I tell him. “I was with her for two hours this morning.”
“Two hours?” He comes over. “That’s more than normal.”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I tell him. “Figured I would come to work early.”
“Okay, I’ll switch them now,” he says, grabbing the paper and walking over to put it in the logbook. I turn on my boot and head back toward my office. I’m walking past Charlie’s office when I see him standing in the middle of it, and he looks over at me. Except my eyes are not on him. No, they are on Emmett, who is standing there with a little girl by his side. The little girl looks so much like him it’s like I’ve been kicked in the stomach. My hand flies immediately to my chest, and I try to put on a brave face.
“Lilah,” Charlie calls, and all the blood drains from my body.
Emmett turns his head toward me, and I can see his eyes aren’t as light as they used to be. Instead, they look tired and drained. I’ve never seen him look like this. “You’re back.” I put on a smile even though I’m dying inside.
“Lilah,” Emmett finally says as he looks at me. His eyes go down to the little girl by his side. I’m prepared for it, at least I think I’m prepared for it, but nothing—and I mean nothing—could prepare me for the words he says. “I would like you to meet my daughter.”
Chapter Seven
EMMETT
I watch her eyes the whole time, from the second she walks into the room and her eyes find mine. I don’t know why I feel nervous all over again. She looks at me and then at Lucy, who is standing in front of me. “Lilah.” Her name on my lips makes my pulse speed up faster than it has for the past couple of days. “I would like you to meet my daughter, Lucy.” Her hands shake in front of her as I watch her throat swallow. “Lucy.” I squat down in front of her. “This is Lilah,” I say with a smile. “She works with me and the horses.” I look back over at Lilah. “She’s one of the best riders I know.” I’m sure my words surprise Lilah since all I do is give her shit when she rides.