Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“You didn’t know?” she asked.
He shook his head.
She saw the shame in his eyes, and she didn’t want him to feel that way. Tightening her hold on his hand, she forced a smile to her lips. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I vowed to protect you.”
“Vowed? You and that club cannot vow anything!”
“Mom!” She and George growled the word in unison.
“Do not Mom me. As far as I’m concerned, you both should count yourselves lucky. Son, you know my thoughts and feelings about everything. Harlow, it’s time for you to move back home. I will not take no for an answer.”
This was not … no, hell, no.
“Mom, no.”
“Do you expect me to believe that you enjoy living in that … hellhole? We’ve heard some stories about that place, and don’t try to tell me you’ve been doing fine. The look of your clothes, and just everything. I will not have my daughter living on her own. Miscarrying—”
“Mom, stop it,” Harlow said, finally raising her voice to be heard over her monotone. “There is no way I’m moving back home.”
“I’ll take care of her. The club will take care of her,” George said.
“No,” Harlow said. She was not going to stay at the club. This was her own journey and she was going to take it. “I … I know what’s happened and I’m still trying to deal with it, but please, I need you all to just stop. What happened, happened, and I’m not going to change my life because of it. I’m not coming to the club, and I’m certainly not coming home. I have my own place.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” her mother said.
“Honey, stop now,” her father said.
Harlow glanced toward her father, who had approached the other side of the bed, and he took hold of her hand and placed it close to his chest. “Our daughter knows what she’s doing, and I’m not going to take that away from her.”
She offered her father a smile.
There was no more time for her mother to argue, because the doctors, along with a couple of nurses, entered the room. They wanted to keep her overnight for observation. George offered to take her home to the clubhouse where she would have round-the-clock care.
The clubhouse came with Hunter.
Her parents offered.
Harlow decided to stay at the hospital. It was the safest solution.
As per her request, George made their parents leave. Jonah and Larissa were the first to visit her. She didn’t realize they had been waiting, otherwise, she would have sent her brother sooner.
Larissa rushed to the bed and hugged her tightly, while Jonah stood back and offered her a speedy recovery, and promised her she would be in his prayers. Larissa promised to return tomorrow with cookies.
Harlow looked forward to it, but she did warn the other woman that it was just an overnight stay, mainly because she didn’t want to be at the clubhouse. Not that she added those little bits on for Larissa.
Next were Ava and Smokey. Smokey stayed back, while Ava wrapped her arms around her and promised it was all going to be okay.
What Ava didn’t know was that her time at the bakery was coming to an end. She was going to have to leave her dream job. She wouldn’t tell her now, but soon. For now, Harlow knew she needed to get back on her feet, and if she left the bakery, Larissa would be able to stop cleaning the clubhouse and to take over Harlow’s job.
Abriana and Ugly Beast were next. She was close to Abriana but not as close as she was to Ava and Larissa. The other woman offered to bake cookies or snacks, and Harlow told her not to worry about it. She wanted out of the hospital, not to extend her stay. It was nothing personal, but the woman couldn’t cook. She had this ability to take cooking and baking and turn it into a nuclear weapon.
Raven and Carlos were next. Raven wasn’t good when it came to showcasing emotions. She was often quite stilted and reserved. Much to Harlow’s surprise, Raven went to her and pulled her in tight for a hug. “I’ve got you,” Raven said.
It felt like Raven was trying to take away her pain, which, though sweet, was completely unnecessary. She still appreciated it.
“It’ll all be okay.”
“Are you the last visitors?” Harlow asked. She was getting tired and didn’t want to keep putting a brave face on it all.
“We can be. All you have to do is say the word,” Raven said.
“Then yes, you’re the last visitors.”
“Will do.”
“Did you see anyone?” Carlos asked.
“Carlos!” Raven growled.
“No, I didn’t. It was late and it was dark. I wasn’t really focusing, and then … they were there, and it all happened so fast.”
“We’ll take care of it. I promise,” Raven said.