Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Uh-huh,” she responds with a laugh. “You can’t bullshit a bullshitter, missy.”
Unable to respond intelligently, I laugh and look away. I would object, but Ethan and I have been spending a lot of time together, and when we’re not, the mere thought of him brings a smile to my face and a flush to my cheeks—two things Mam never fails to call me out on.
“So? Who is he?” she asks.
Swallowing hard, I brace myself. “I’ve been spending a lot of time with Dr. Collier, actually.”
“Dr. Collier?”
I nod, waiting for her to give me a lecture about the age difference between us. She surprises me, though, by giving me a sly smile instead.
“He’s a handsome man. Intelligent. Passionate. And kind,” she says. “I can see why you’d enjoy spending time with him.”
“You’re not going to give me a ration of shit about the age difference?”
She shrugs. “You’re a grown woman. You can make your own decisions.”
I sit back in my chair. “Wow.”
Mam laughs. “I’m not some close-minded old bitty, sweetheart. I like to think I’m pretty hip and with it.”
“You use the word gallivanting.”
“All the cool kids are saying it,” she says. “You must not be one of the cool kids.”
“I must not be,” I say with a laugh.
Mam looks at me, her smile fading and her expression growing serious. “The only reason I would have any objection to you dating Dr. Collier is if he treated you badly. But he’s a good man and I know he wouldn’t.”
“He treats me like a princess, Mam.”
“As he should.”
We spend the next hour talking about Ethan, and I share far more than I intended to when this conversation started. I even told her about why my relationship with Ben ended and all the problems I had with him. My grandmother listens to it all, expressing dismay about Ben and his mistreatment of me, but seeming to be genuinely excited about Ethan. I can tell that she likes him a lot. He’s always been good to her, and she sees him for the kind and gentle soul I know him to be. And that makes me happy.
“What’s going to happen when you go back home?” she asks.
“We haven’t even talked about that, to be honest. Right now, we’re just focused on enjoying the time we have together. We’re trying to keep ourselves from taking it too seriously.”
“That’s probably wise since I don’t think you’d be too keen on moving back here and I don’t think he’d be too keen on moving out there,” she says. “But I’m glad you’re getting a chance to see what being treated like you deserve feels like.”
“Yeah, me too,” I say with a rueful laugh.
A knock on the door draws my attention, and I get to my feet and head for the door. Ethan said he’d be stopping by today to follow up with Mam. When I open it, my throat grows dry, and my heart stops dead in my chest.
“Ben,” I say. “What in the hell are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.”
“I told you, there is nothing for us to talk about.”
He frowns and his expression darkens. “Are you going to invite me in?”
“No. I’m not,” I tell him. “You’re not welcome here, Ben. Like I’ve told you a hundred times already, we’re done.”
I start to slam the door, but Ben pushes it back open with a scowl on his face. Rather than say anything, he pushes his way past me and steps into the foyer.
“Ben, get out of here!”
“Not until we fix this.”
“Elodie? Everything okay?” Mam calls from the kitchen.
“It’s fine, Mam. Just stay there—”
“You need to pack up,” Ben hisses. “You’re coming home with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. What part of ‘we are done’ is not getting through to you, Ben? I don’t love you. I don’t want to be with you—”
“You’re upset, baby. I get it. And I’m going to make things right between us again.”
“Get out of here, Ben. Get out right now!”
“No. Not until—”
“Young man, this is my home, and I don’t like the way you’re speaking to my granddaughter. I suggest you leave,” Mam says as she steps into the doorway.
“I don’t care whether you like the way I’m speaking to her or not,” Ben snaps.
“Don’t you dare speak to my grandmother that way,” I shout.
“Elodie, pack your shit. You’re coming home with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Get out now or I’m calling the police!”
“Elodie, you belong to me. I’m taking you home—”
“No. She doesn’t belong to you. She’s mine.”
We both turn to see Ethan standing in the open doorway, his face tight, his dark eyes fixed on Ben. I watch as an expression of horror dawns on Ben’s face, and his mouth falls open in disbelief. Time seems to stop for several long moments as the two men stare at each other.