Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
A sob cracks free from my chest, the pain so intense I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to breathe without feeling its presence.
“Uncle Archer?”
I swallow hard and look over at Blakely, who’s in Declan’s arms. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
“My heart hurts.”
I reach for her, take her into my arms, and bury my face in her neck. A few tears fall before I can compose myself. “It’s okay,” I tell her, running my hands up her back. My family moves back, giving us a little breathing room.
“Aunt Scarlett told me a secret.”
Fuck me, it hurts, yet I smile when she says Aunt Scarlett. “She did?”
“Yep.” Blakely nods. “She said I had to wait until she was gone to tell you.”
“She’s gone, Blake.” I feel like I’m choking as the words fall from my lips.
“She tolded me that you were her best friend.”
I huff out a laugh because I know that’s the best way Scarlett could explain to Blakely how she felt about me. “She did, huh?” Blakely bobs her head.
“I tolded her that my mommy was my daddy’s best friend, too, and that she should marry you. She said that if that ever happened, she’d be the happiest she’s ever been.” Blakely tilts her head to the side. “Why did she leave? She should have just married us.”
There are a few chuckles at her suggestion.
“She’s got big dreams. A job to do.”
Blakely scoffs. “I guess she likes that more than arm porn.”
I can’t help it. I laugh. My body shakes with it, and I hug my niece. “I love you, Blakely.”
“I’m very loveable. Daddy says.”
“Come on, son. We’re invading your place. We brought food. We’re making breakfast.” I nod and take one last look at the driveway where her car used to be and follow my family into the house.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Scarlett
I wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand while still trying to drive. My chest is heaving, and this pain… the hurt of driving away from him is too much. It’s not supposed to feel like a piece of me is no longer mine.
How am I supposed to do this?
I don’t want to leave. I’m not even excited about the idea of this job. It’s a dream contract, but I’ve yet to feel that zing of excitement about it. Not once since I signed on have I felt as if I was overjoyed.
I should be overjoyed.
I’m not.
I’m crushed.
My chest has a gaping Kincaid-size hole that will never be filled. It’s not just Archer. It’s his family. It’s this damn town. I fell in love with all of it.
A sob falls from my lips, and I realize I can’t see. There’s a pull-off just before the corporation sign. I pull over and put the car in Park. My forehead rests against the steering wheel, my grip so tight I feel I might not ever be able to bend them again.
I don’t know if I can do this. “Mom,” I cry into the silence of my car. “Oh, how I wish you were here. I need you.”
I miss her so much. I cry even harder. I’m reaching for the box of tissues, and they fall to the floor. My eyes land on the glove box, and that’s when I remember the letter that sits nestled inside.
Retrieving the tissues, I clean up my face and blow my nose twice before reaching into the glove box for the letter. The plain white envelope stares back at me with my mom’s handwriting. We didn’t know we were losing my dad, but with Mom, we knew, and she prepared.
I still remember the day she handed me a small stack of envelopes. The one I’m looking for sits on top.
Read me when you are at a crossroads in life.
My hands shake as I hold the envelope. This is definitely a crossroads. I don’t know if this is what my mom had in mind for me, but I’m hoping that somewhere inside this envelope, there will be words of inspiration. Something that will get me through this. Sliding my finger beneath the seal, I pull out the letter and begin to read.
My dearest daughter,
You are my greatest accomplishment in life. You made my dreams of becoming a mother come true, and I’ve loved you every day. I couldn’t love you more if it were my blood flowing through your veins.
I know, a little deep, but I needed to get that out of the way. If you’re reading this letter, then you are in a place in your life where you have to make a hard choice. Even though I’m not there, I hope that my words can help ease the burden of your choice.
Did I ever tell you I almost didn’t marry your father? It’s true. He got a new job. It was in a new state, and I didn’t want to leave what I knew. I was comfortable. I was also scared. I was from Nevada, as you know. We both were, but he got a new job in Idaho, and he asked me to marry him and go with him.