Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“Hey, there,” Lennon says on the other end of the line. Her voice seems melancholy, unlike her usual chipper tone. I know there are days she puts on a front, pretending to be fine. Her everything is fine stance doesn’t fool me, but today it’s different.
“Are you okay?” I ask, even though I’m the one who should be reassuring her.
“Yeah, I am. The guy you’re with, Clay, he’s really one of the good ones, isn’t he?” I stumble over the words I’m trying to get out. This is fast, new, and all-consuming with a fiery passion I never expected. Lennie has the television playing in the background, more for noise than for her to actually watch any show she turns on. Even when reading, she’ll turn something on, and I know the exact reason why. When it’s too quiet, her mind starts to wander, the loneliness will set in, and then she’ll pick apart every single nuance in her life. I know because it’s the way she’s wired, always thinking about others before herself, even after I went out on my own, and then she married him. What a waste of space. He was nice enough, but I always knew she could do a hell of a lot better.
I take a deep breath, treading lightly with where this conversation is going. My feet move me back and forth until I land in front of the kitchen window. The snow is still falling from the sky steadily.
“He really is. He’s done more for me in the last twenty-four hours than anyone else I’ve ever known. Besides you, of course.” Nala is outside with Clay, clogging through the snow. I’m barely able to see much of her body unless she’s jumping or wagging her tail. Clay is bundled in a couple of layers, his ever-present cowboy hat on his head, and this time, I see his hands are covered, too.
Thank goodness.
Last night wasn’t near as bad as today. I wasn’t in very much clothing, a pair of joggers and a long-sleeve shirt with socks. The bitter cold cut right through the fabric, and here Clay was, wearing jeans, boots, a jacket, and a hat. I didn’t once see him shivering when he took his jacket off and placed it around my shoulders.
“I’m glad. So happy for you.” Lennie wanes off for a moment, probably gathering her thoughts, and I let her. Meanwhile, Jasmine hops up on the counter and softly mews at me. She’s already eaten all her food, and there’s water on the counter. Maybe Jazzy girl, as Clay likes to call her, needs a treat. I open and close a few drawers, looking for where he keeps things. There isn’t a formal pantry in the kitchen, only one tall and wide set of cabinets I noticed Clay using while cooking. What I didn’t see is the can of dog food in there, though Nala eats so much it’d take up the whole cabinet. “Truly, I am, and I’m putting it out there because I can hear the happiness in your tone. And the way he woke you up, soft and sweet, exactly like you need. It takes a gentle man to know what someone needs so quickly. Anyway, I love you, and I’ll support you any way I can, even if that means driving all your belongings to Colorado myself.” I smile, a big goofy grin taking over what I’m sure is my entire face. She’s right, but that’s a lot to ask of her, and it’s a massive expense I know my sister can’t take on.
“Well, I might be putting the carriage before the horse. Still, I think you’re right. When or if this comes to fruition, we’ll fly down there, pack up a U-Haul, and drive it back.” In theory, this sounds like a great idea, except Clay has a pile of animals, and I think leaving them for an undetermined amount of time might be tricky.
“Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I’m here. Now, go enjoy your time with your new man. I can imagine the setting, snow falling, you snuggled up on the couch, the fireplace roaring while you enjoy watching the sun slowly fade to dusk,” Lennon romanticizes. Truth be told, some of that might happen, but with this being a semi-working ranch, it also means Clay is up early, checking the animals morning, noon, and night.
“I love you. You’re the best big sister a girl could ever ask for.” We go on to chitchat about what she’s up to and how I’ve got to get on the ball with canceling plans, getting ahold of my insurance agent even if it’s only a phone call to get the ball rolling. “Alright, Jasmine is getting noisy. She’s currently requesting treats, and I need to run outside to grab the few groceries from the van, so they won’t spoil.”