Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“He’s a fucking mess,” Ryan says without looking up at me. “Dislocated shoulder, broken cheekbone, and the asswipe took out a tooth.”
“Jesus.” I sit on the other side of the bed from him and lean my elbows on my knees. “Has he said what started all of this?”
“Wally was going for Janice, and Jake pulled him off of her. Wally turned on Jake, and the rest, we know. Apparently, it’s not unusual for such things in that house, but this is the first time Jake felt confident enough to step up and do something about it.”
“Don’t make me go back,” Jake whispers. “Please, don’t make me go. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Hey, you’re not going back there, buddy,” Ryan assures him. “You’ll be coming to stay with me.”
“Until they find me another home?”
“No.” Ryan shakes his head and smiles softly at the teenager. “For good. If that’s okay with you, that is.”
“You’re not shitting me?”
Ryan winces. “We need to work on your mouth, but no. I’m not shitting you. What do you say?”
Rather than answer, Jake looks away and gives in to the tears that he’s been fighting back.
“Y-you don’t h-have to,” he says and wipes away the tears with his good hand. “I know you feel bad for me, but—”
“Hey, look at me, Jake.” Jake’s head turns so he can look at Ryan. “I’d already started looking into it. I spoke with my attorney this morning, in fact.”
“He’s not lying. I saw him walk out of the office myself.”
Jake glances my way, hope gleaming in his swollen eyes. “You did?”
“Yeah. I figure we make a good team, and I like having you at my place. So, I’d already set things in motion. When you were sleeping, I spoke with child services, and they’ve agreed that you can go home with me when you’re released. I’ve been given emergency custody.”
“So, I’ll be your foster kid until I’m eighteen?”
Ryan looks down at his hands and then back at Jake. “If that’s how you want it, sure. We can do it that way. But I’d really rather officially adopt you. If you want to take my name, you can. If you want to keep your dad’s name, that’s cool with me, too. I want you to have a solid home with a good family, Jake.”
“Can I think about the name thing?” Jake asks quietly.
“You can think about all of it,” Ryan assures him. “For now, just know that you’ll be safe with me.”
“Thank you.” Jake’s lower lip quivers. “Really, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“I think the medicine is making me sleepy again,” Jake says, wiping at his tears. “I hope I didn’t dream this.”
“I’ll remind you when you wake up,” Ryan assures him, and then sighs when Jake falls back to sleep. “Well, that went pretty okay.”
“I’m really proud of you.”
Ryan’s head comes up at my words, and he nods. “Not surprised?”
“Oh, I’m surprised as hell. I was just hoping you’d give the kid a weekend job and keep him out of trouble. I had no idea that you’d fall for him and want to be his daddy.”
“I’m not—” He pauses the denial and then lets out a shaky laugh. “I guess that’s the short version of it. I know it won’t be easy or a walk in the park, but it’s a chance for him, you know?”
“Yeah. Not everyone gets the amazing life we had growing up, and the fact that you’re giving Jake one hell of a chance at that amazing life is pretty damn great. Mom and Dad are going to shit their pants. A new grandkid to fuss over? Mom will have his Christmas stocking made by the end of the week.”
Ryan’s grin is as bright as the sun. “Yeah. That’s pretty great, huh?”
“Pretty great. For everyone.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SUMMER
Today has been a ton of work and so much fun. We’re all so excited about this cocktail party, and I have to say, the whole bar here at the resort looks amazing. I knew that they’d let us use the space, especially since the women gathered here aren’t shy about ordering drinks and food. I’ve set out little bouquets of pink, red, and yellow dahlias and ranunculus on all eighteen of the four-top tables scattered around the room and on the end of the bar. Twinkle lights are strung around the room, and we have an amazing view of the ski runs—still without snow—and a good part of Bitterroot Valley, since the bar sits up high.
“These flowers are gorgeous,” Charlie Lexington says with a grin. “So bright and fun. A great way to cheer up a dreary fall day.”
“Thanks. You know, it’s a misconception that fall flowers have to be drab and boring. I don’t know what I’ll do with them later. I hate to throw them away.”
She turns shrewd brown eyes my way. “I have an elopement tomorrow, and they didn’t plan for flowers. Could I buy these from you?”