Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“I hear what you’re saying, but I want you to consider something.” She pauses, looking between our knees that just about touch. When she looks back up, she says, “Baylor lost his mother as well. Was it right that he and Griffin took off? No. But were they grieving in their own way? They were, Chris.” Taking my hands, she says, “I’m sorry you feel you had to give up your dreams to run the ranch with your dad. But you know what I see?”
“What do you see?” I’m already tearing up, touched so deeply. I didn’t know I needed to hear this. I didn’t know how much bitterness I was carrying around. Until now. With every word, my burden lightens.
She takes my hand in hers, and replies, “The strongest woman I know taking her responsibilities and creating a new dream. I know you. That ranch has become part of you. You love it, but you need to let go of the blame on others to truly appreciate your accomplishments.”
I reach forward and hug her like the sister she’s always been to me. “You’re right,” I whisper over her shoulder, trying to keep the tears from falling. But who am I kidding? This girl has wiped more of my tears away than anyone. I’ve done the same for her. We don’t need to hide behind lies or pretend we’re stronger than we are with each other. I drop my head. “I’ve been having sex with Tagger Grange.”
She bursts out laughing, then spins my stool around. “About time you admitted it.”
Breathing comes easier, so I ask, “How did you know I went to New York?”
She reaches behind her and pulls out her phone. “Did you forget we have tracking for each other just in case anything ever happens?”
Smiling, I have to give her credit. She’s a regular Sherlock Holmes. “Well played. I totally forgot.”
Flipping her hair over her shoulders, she asks, “So are you going to tell me everything or keep me guessing?”
I spin myself around, dipping my head back, and feel giddy. “I’ve been dyyyying to tell you.” I plant my foot on the floor to still me, and say, “He kissed me in the rain. That’s when I knew I would marry that man one day.”
CHAPTER 32
Tagger
Beck jumps out of the rental car before I have time to put it in park, practically giving me a heart attack. I’m fast on the brake, so no damage is done. I’ll need to remind him how cars work before he starts pulling some stupid shit like I did when I was a teen.
Jumping from one truck bed to another while flying down the highway.
Playing chicken at the top of The Ridge and hoping your brakes work.
Drinking too much after winning the State championship and thinking it wise to do donuts in a Dover County shopping mall parking lot.
Real dumb shit.
I’m glad my dad never found out, or surviving a string of bad decisions would have been the least of my concerns. He wasn’t hard on my brother and me, but he was strict. I’ve tried to find more balance with my son . . . that is, until he jumps out of a car that’s stopped for less than a second. At least it’s a soft landing on the lawn if he did tumble.
Anna would still kill me, but I have a feeling my little daredevil would wear a cast with pride.
My parents come out of the house and down to greet us. Beck throws himself into my mom’s arms, so excited to be back in the Pass. “Grammy!” My dad gets a hold of that wiggly kid before he can escape to see the chickens. He’s been talking about that since we left Manhattan. “Will you take me to see them, Grandpa?”
“Sure will, rascal. Let me go say hi to your dad first.”
It’s not only my parents who love the bond they share with my son.
My mom greets me with a hug. “Happy to have you home again.”
“Me too.”
She hooks her arm around mine, and we take a few steps back away from the car. “You said you were coming back for the festival. It’s always such fun. Beck’s going to love it.”
“Biggest event of the year. I didn’t want to miss it.”
“Was that the only thing you were missing?” I look to my side to find her eyes ready to search mine.
Maybe I’m reading too much into the question, but it feels like there’s an agenda behind it. I want to share more with them, to tell them I’ve fallen for Pris. My mom’s not one to start rumors. I’m her son, so I know I can trust her. Pris and I have an agreement in place. Until we decide otherwise, together, not even my parents are privy to the information.