Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
After, I wrap her in a towel and carry her back to our bedroom. I realize I left the shower water running and leave the room to shut it off.
When I return, I bump into the nightstand on Evie’s side of the bed. It’s always piled high with books and papers. She’s constantly reading something, though she rarely lets me know what it is. I’ve let her have her secrets, figuring she’s probably into the romance book club in town.
But what comes crashing from the nightstand isn’t a stack of steamy books. It’s textbooks that she quickly rushes to scoop up. The topics include basic algebra and writing essays. Maybe it’s stuff she’s helping the boys with.
I grab some of the papers and see her handwriting. She has pages and pages of notes. This goes beyond the boys. “What is this, Evie?”
“Just put it back,” she says softly. Her cheeks are pink, and she won’t look at me. She’s staring down at the rug like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
I put my hand on her face and tip it up so I can see her expression. “No shame between us. Not ever. What’s going on here?”
Her chin wobbles. “I was…it’s stupid, OK? Can we forget about it?”
“No, we can’t. Now tell me what’s on your mind.”
She steps away from me, wrapping her arms around herself. She’s still wrapped in her towel. I want to grab her wet curls and tug on one. Then I want to tease her until she smiles again and remind her that it’s always going to be the two of us against the world.
“Do you remember I said that Martha has been talking about retiring in a few years? It got me thinking…I like the clinic. I get to help out sometimes. Not with the official stuff because I’m not trained, but maybe if I had the education. Maybe…I might…could be…you know, a nurse.”
My woman has the heart to help out the people of Courage County. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. “That sounds like a great idea.” I think for a second. Dr. Cash started the clinic to give back to the townspeople. I can’t imagine that he wouldn’t be supportive of her going to school and becoming a nurse. “What did Cash say?”
“I haven’t brought it up to him or anyone. You’re the first person I mentioned it to,” she admits, sounding small. “I can’t tell Cash yet. I can’t tell anyone. I didn’t…what I mean is I started looking after the boys when I was just fifteen.”
I take her hands in mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. “And you’ve done a great job with them, but if you’re worried about childcare, Evie, I’ll help you. You know I’m in this with you. Whatever you need to make your dreams come true, I’m there. I want to support you and cheer you on.”
She finally looks up at me. “I didn’t finish high school. I dropped out, and now it just feels like I’m so far behind…”
Understanding finally slams into me. She gave up her education to make sure the boys were taken care of. She sacrificed everything to make sure they’d have one stable person in their life. “So, I’ll be your study buddy. We can make this work.”
Her expression turns hopeful. “You’d help me?”
“I can’t promise I remember how to diagram a sentence, but I’ll help you figure it out. You don’t have to hide stuff like this from me. I’m your man. I’ll always want what’s best for you and believe in your dreams.”
Tears fill her eyes, and she flings herself into my arms. “You’re the best.”
I bury my face in her hair, inhaling her vanilla scent that never fails to soothe me. I’ll do whatever it takes to make my girl’s dreams come true. She’s my best friend, and I’m the lucky cowboy who gets to love her.
Chapter 14
Evie
“It’s cutting off my air. I can’t breathe!” Parker tugs at the knot on his collar.
“That’s because you don’t have it right. Come here,” Greer says as he kneels in front of him. He’s dressed in a black suit today. All three of my boys are. Black suits with matching silver ties. My dress has some silver in it too.
Greer quickly redoes Parker’s tie. “Remind me to show you a Windsor later.”
“Chase tied it,” Parker complains.
“Cowboys don’t need ties,” Chase says, fiddling with his tie. He has it around his neck, but it’s not right either. I should have just gone for clip-on ties for the boys. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. Next time, I’ll do it differently. Although, I guess there really won’t be a next time after this.
“They wear them today,” Greer says. “How’s that?”
Parker tugs on it again but finally seems to relax now that it’s not as tight. “Good, I guess.”