Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“I’m fine. Better now that I’m talking to you. How’s Texas?”
“It was fine.”
“Was? I’m going to need you to explain that to me, darlin’.” I pitch my voice to attempt to sound like him. I fail miserably. Chad’s voice is deep and sexy, and yeah, I don’t even come close to replicating it, but he gets the point if his laughter is any indication.
“As soon as I got there, I was told I was being transferred and given a new position.”
I swallow the lump in my throat that has suddenly appeared. Please don’t let him be overseas. Please don’t let him be overseas. I chant the words over and over in my head. “Where are you?”
“California.”
“Oh.” I heave a sigh of relief. “That’s great, Chad. Congratulations! How’s California?” I ask, trying to mask the fear that was just coursing through my veins.
“It’s too far away from you. From Ford and Shayne,” he quickly adds.
“But you’re on US soil. It could be worse.” I pause, taking another deep breath, attempting to gather my composure. “You have to give me your new address. I have letters and care packages to send.”
“Already?” he asks.
“Are you really surprised?” I ask.
“No. Not the least little bit.” He chuckles. “Thank you for the letter.”
“Did you wait?”
“Kind of. I made it all the way to Texas, but on the plane to California, I caved.”
My heart races knowing he read my letter. I opened my heart to him. “I knew you would.” I’m smiling. “Although, I am impressed that you managed to make it to Texas and on the next plane before you caved.”
His deep laugh wraps around my soul. “Tell me about your job hunt?”
“Well, I’ve been approved as a substitute from a laundry list of schools in Cooper and the surrounding area.”
“And a full-time position?” he prompts.
“I’ve been offered a few,” I confess.
“Faith! That’s incredible. Do you know which you want to accept?”
I pause and decide to give him the truth. I’ve never lied to him, and I won’t start now. “None of them. I mean, I don’t think any of them. They’re just not what I want, Chad.”
“What do you want?”
You. I swallow my gut reaction. “I want to teach kindergarten. It’s been my dream, and I know that I’m being irrational. I know that with teaching, you don’t always get the exact grade that you want, but I really want kindergarten.”
“Then you hold out for what you really want.”
“Yeah, I know, but then I’m living with Ford and Shayne rent-free, I might add. They’re just starting their life together, both of them out of school and out of the service, and I’m here like the third wheel that I am. I need to find a job and find my own place.”
“Faith, you know that they don’t give two shits that you’re living with them. In fact, I know Shayne is happy that you’re there. She loves being roommates with you.”
“Yeah, but now she’s marrying my brother, and I’m sure they want their alone time together. I just…I’m feeling so overwhelmed. My heart wants one thing, but I know in my mind that taking any position with a good school to get my foot in the door is the way to go, but I just can’t seem to accept any of them.”
“How long until you have to give them an answer?”
“The end of the month, so three or so weeks. Give or take a day or two.”
“Take a few days to think about it. Talk to Ford and Shayne. Talk to your mom. I’m sure she has great advice.”
“I have. She told me that sometimes I need to get my foot in the door and hold out until the class that I really want opens up.”
“I know you have your heart set on kindergarten, and I have no doubt that’s where you will end up.”
“Yeah,” I say softly.
“Listen, I need to go. I have to get settled and grab some food. I have to report at 0400.”
“Okay. Stay safe and send me your new address.”
“I will. Call or text anytime. I’ll reply when I can.”
“I know the drill.”
“Just making sure you know that I might not be there, but you’re here with me. Always.”
Hot tears prick my eyes. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Get some rest.”
“Night.”
“Night, sweetheart.”
The line goes dead as the tears fall. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s midnight here, so it’s nine in California, I think. Hopefully, he can find something to eat this late and get in bed. I hate to think that my whining about my job search kept him up too late, where he’ll be tired tomorrow.
Over the job search for tonight, I stand from the floor and grab my laptop, placing it on my nightstand. I’ll start my search over again tomorrow. Sliding beneath the covers, I close my eyes and will sleep to claim me. Only, it never comes. Over an hour later and I’m still staring up at the dark ceiling. Reaching over, I turn on the lamp, grab the notebook and pen from the nightstand, and begin to write.