Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
I slowly turn.
Jolene’s eyes gloss over with unshed tears. “Ruthie loved you so much. You were this angelic little fairy in pretty dresses she made for you.” Jolene quickly wipes her eyes and gazes out the window. “She laughed with you and ran her fingers lovingly through your long hair. Her eyes were bright and filled with love whenever she looked at or spoke of you.
“And I watched you look at her and Fletcher, you and two parents who were so in love—” Her gaze cuts to mine, and she no longer tries to keep up with the tears. “You were so smart too. Reading all those books, reciting poems, spewing random facts about the plants and bees because you retained everything so easily. And I was the daughter who wasn’t quite as smart. Not quite as pretty. My parents never showed each other affection. My mom never looked at me the way Ruthie looked at you.”
Slowly, she shakes her head and sniffles. “It’s not that anyone compared me to you. My parents knew there was no comparison, so they didn’t want to embarrass themselves by trying. But I made the comparison—all the time. And the more I compared myself to you, the more I hated you. So imagine how good it felt for me to have something you wanted?”
Jolene laughs, blotting her cheeks and eyes with a tissue. “And it was dumb luck. I didn’t ask for the marriage. I thought no one would ever marry me, so why not take the offer presented to me? And when I found out you had feelings for Milo, it felt…” her gaze drops to her desk “…good. For once, I had something you wanted. For once, you didn’t have everything.”
When she looks at me again, I see a Jolene I have never seen before. She seems a little broken—a little human. “But you really did,” she whispers. “You’ve always had him.”
I’ve told myself many times that there’s no way I could ever spare a single tear for Jolene. Here I am, wiping my face. “I forgive you.” I open the door.
“I didn’t ask for—”
Turning, I rest my chin on my shoulder. “I know. It’s not for you. It’s for your son.”
EPILOGUE
“It’s perfect.” I stare at the sign.
Annie’s Apiary
Milo hooks his hat onto the saddle horn and lifts Benjamin onto his shoulders.
For now, we live in a barn. We have bees and chickens, horses, and a few cows. I’ve requested an alpaca, but Milo hasn’t jumped on board yet. We have acres of flowers and vegetables. Greenhouses. And a pond where we spend hot summer afternoons skinny dipping and making love in the tall grass.
Milo has shared custody of Benjamin. His relationship with Jolene has improved since Pauline started experiencing dementia. She realizes that we’re the only family she’ll have once her mom is gone. Unless she finds a man brave enough to marry her, but it’s not looking promising.
“When will Rosa and Baylor arrive?” Milo asks.
“In about an hour.” I open a jar of honey and swipe my finger along the top. “Why?” I smear it on Milo’s cheek.
Ben giggles, and Milo narrows his eyes at me.
“We have time for a swim.” He turns his head and nibbles Benjamin’s leg. “Are you laughing at me?”
Ben giggles more.
“Swimsuits?” I suck the honey from my finger.
Milo grins. “Nah. He’s two. I don’t think he’ll tell anyone.”
I laugh. “Until Jolene takes him to a pool, and he thinks suits are optional.”
Milo struts toward the pond. “Indie girl, I think we gave up on worrying about things like other people’s opinions a long time ago.”
I trek through the grass in my boots and sundress, discarding both before I reach the dock.
Milo’s grin swells, setting Ben down and removing his clothes.
I pad my naked self to the end of the dock. “Milo, how long can I have you?”
“As long as you need,” he says.
“Forever?” I glance at him over my shoulder.
“One day at a time.”
“Milo.” I narrow my eyes at him.
He shrugs off his shirt and unbuckles his belt, his grin larger than life. “Forever,” he mouths.
I dive into the cool water. And I know without question … this is love.
THE END