Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
The check had been cut. The town was saved. The money was secured and he’d done what he’d promised Jojo. So how come he was so scared?
He gripped the armrests of the seat as if it could stop the pounding in his chest.
Bo.
His countless phone calls had gone unanswered, and Jojo’s updates had filled him with an unease that gave him a persistent migraine.
No one’s heard from him, Royal, not since you left.
Her words echoed through his mind and crept towards his heart.
Royal had thought he was doing a good thing. Mrs. Pearl wouldn’t have to cry anymore or go to work elsewhere. And Windeville was going to survive the rest of the year. They could even rebuild the winter festival and have it on New Years Eve, or New Years day, bigger and better than ever.
The first day of winter had passed, and there wasn’t enough time to get everything up and going before Christmas day, but they could advertise bringing in the New Year as a new tradition and attract even more tourists.
Royal had worked sleepless nights and made a gold-star deal with Global Crown’s biggest client, so why did he feel like he was being punished. Why wouldn’t Stone talk to him? Maybe he hadn’t wanted Royal to save the town, he’d just needed him to be there for him like he said he would. And Royal had failed. He’d left Stone in the middle of a storm, physically and emotionally.
Royal’s stomach churned. What if Stone had decided he wasn’t willing to trusting him anymore? What if the night they’d spent together and the tender moments hadn’t meant as much to Stone as it’d meant to him?
He was about to find out.
The plane descended and touched down on the icy runway with the smoothness of a Maserati. Royal unhooked his seatbelt and was waiting at the doors before the plane could come to a full stop.
He jogged down the few stairs with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder and raced to his rented SUV still sitting in the airport’s parking lot.
He prayed the entire way to the bed and breakfast that he hadn’t been gone too long.
Jojo was behind the counter reading a thick novel. When she glanced up at the sound of the bell ringing over the door and saw it was him, she dropped her book and ran around the counter, not stopping until she’d slammed into him.
“Oh thank heavens.”
Royal wrapped his arms around her and returned her hug. This was the reception he’d always wanted.
“Royal,” she began, her voice calm, and careful as if she knew the words she was about to say would cut him to the quick. “There’s still been no word from Stone.”
Royal’s throat tightened. “Nothing! What about the guys who work for him? What about Arthur.”
She glanced up at him, her eyes filled with heavy sorrow.
“They all tried, but he wouldn’t answer the door.” Her words came out in a rush. “Myra told me to take some food up there to him, but when I banged on the door, he wouldn’t answer, so I left it on the porch.”
“Shit, fuck.” Royal grimaced at her surprised expression. “Sorry, I just um…this is all my fault. I tried to tell him what I was doing but he wouldn’t answer my calls. I have no clue if he read my texts, but if he did, he didn’t respond.”
“This is just like when Ben died,” she cried. “Stone isolates when life gets to be too much. It’s like he doesn’t want anyone to see him in pain.”
Royal let out a stressed exhale.
Myra came from out the back and rushed towards him with her arms outstretched. Royal embraced her, inhaling her scent of berries and cinnamon. He was so overwhelmed moisture gathered in the corners of his eyes.
“Go to him, honey. He won’t let anyone in but you. Be insistent, but gentle. Make him see reason.”
“I fully plan to,” Royal headed towards the stairs. “I just didn’t want him to see me in this.”
He’d remove the stuffy suit and put on his real clothes.
Fire burned in Royal’s chest. “I’m bringing him back, don’t worry.”
That was a promise he intended to keep. And before either of them could say another word, Royal rushed upstairs to his room, shucked off the cashmere trench coat and got dressed in his jeans, a dark green turtleneck and hiking boots.
He was in his SUV in less than ten minutes and barreling towards the mountain road that led up to Stone’s secluded cabin. Dusk was approaching and Royal pressed harder on the gas, not wanting to navigate the rocky terrain in the dark.
By the time Royal arrived his heart was pounding so hard he thought he might have another panic attack and pass out. The house was dark and quiet, and the sight of two racoons ripping apart the food that’d been left on Stone’s doorstep made chills race down his spine.