Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
She sniffled. “I never wanted this to happen. Any of this. For so long, I waited for you, hoping you’d find me. I begged and prayed you would.”
He closed his eyes, breathing her in. “I failed.”
“No, I failed. I stopped fighting. I no longer believed and I gave in, and in doing so, I gave you up. I should choose Reaper. I’ve already caused you so much pain.”
“Don’t.”
“But.” She licked her lips. “You gave yourself to me. You shared details of your life with me, and I can’t stop caring about you. I can’t walk away from the way you make me feel. I don’t want to.”
He reached out to stroke her cheek. “You don’t have to. I’m not giving up on you.”
“You can’t stand to look at Bethany.”
“I don’t know her. This is a lot to take in. Give me time.” He pulled her close, kissing her head. “I love you, Robin.”
She started to sob against him. “I love you too. I’m so sorry but I’ve got to put Bethany first in all of this. She doesn’t deserve any of this.”
“Don’t be sorry. If you ever need anything, you’ll come to me.” He thought about Dog. “You also need to come to dinner Sunday.”
She sniffled as she pulled back. Her eyes swollen and bloodshot. “Why?”
“I’ve got a deal with a guy. He helped me when I needed it most and as part of his agreement to help me, he wanted to have a dinner with you there.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, so, I guess I was wondering how you’d feel about that?” he asked.
“You really need me there?”
“Yes. It was his suggestion.”
“I can do that for you.” She went on her toes, kissing his cheek. “I love you, Preacher. I’ll be here Sunday.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Who did you call?”
“Anne. She said if I ever needed her, I could give her a call. I guess it wasn’t an empty promise.” She sniffled. “Thank you, Preacher, for understanding. My dad, he … he’s having a hard time dealing.”
“I know. I’ll talk to him.” He watched her finish with her case as someone let Anne in downstairs.
Preacher wanted to fight, to tell her to stay, but he also saw the necessity of her being on her own. Keeping her away would mean he could take care of business and win her back. This was a competition with Reaper, and he had no doubt his opponent was already figuring out ways to get to her first and win her heart. All Preacher knew was there was something he was missing, and he needed to find it. Once he did, he’d have Robin back.
****
“Thank you for doing this,” Robin said.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s nice to have someone else at home,” Anne said. “The kids will be out tomorrow, but my husband is home.”
“Will he mind me staying with you?” Robin asked, looking into the back to see Bethany already passed out. Her daughter could sleep through anything, it would seem. Even her own mother feeling like she was tearing apart from the inside out.
“It doesn’t matter if he does or not. He’s going to have to get used to it because it’s my life too and well, I’ve had to put up with many things from him.” Anne’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “I have to say I’m a little envious.”
“Of me?”
“Yes.”
Robin chuckled. “Okay, I need to know how you could possibly be envious of me after all I’ve told you.”
“Those two men. Yeah, they’re bikers and I know you’re going through a lot right now, but come on, Robin. Look at them and tell me they’re not hunks. I mean, you’re twenty-one and I guess there’s a draw there.”
“It’s not my age. I hope it’s not my age. I’ll be getting older soon.”
“I saw the way both men looked at you. Believe me, it’s more than your age. They are both completely in love with you. It must be nice.”
“Don’t you have anyone admiring you?”
“Nope. Not me.” She shrugged. “I’ve been a married woman for so long I probably don’t even know what flirting is. Most men look at me like I’m a nag or something.”
“You’re not a nag. Do you and your husband go out?”
“Nope. Elijah likes to go out with other people. I guess it’s working for us. I don’t know. Also, I do nag.”
Robin didn’t for a second believe it was working for her friend. If anything, it sounded like Anne was incredibly lonely, and she’d been working at the library for a few months now, only to discover her friend was … hurting. She felt sad and a little selfish. Not once did she really take the time to think about what Anne was going through. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Although, he may hit on you. I’m not sure though. He’s never done it when I’m around, but if he does … unless you want to, that is—”