Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
She nodded stiffly and gave him directions. Reaching over, he grabbed hold of her hands in his.
“You need to breathe, baby. Remember, you’re not alone. I’m here to look after you, support you.”
“You’re right. I’m not sure why I’m so tense. My family are good people.”
“That’s good.” It was. But he wanted to know why they hadn’t come after her.
They drove up a long driveway to a gorgeous old farmhouse.
“Why are all these cars here?” she asked, looking around. “Is something going on?”
He hummed and got out. Coming around the front of the car, he opened her door and undid her belt. She never forgot to wait for him to help her in and out of the car anymore.
Helping her down, he led her up to the door. She seemed reluctant to move forward. When they got to the front door, she seemed to think about knocking, but then she opened the door. They stepped in, but everything was quiet.
He glanced around. The house was clean and tidy, though obviously old and worn.
“They must be outside.” She walked forward, and he was content to follow. When they stepped out onto the back porch, it was obvious what was going on.
There was a huge banner with ‘Welcome home, Faith!’ written on it. Tables were groaning with food and drinks and vases of camellias. Suddenly, at least thirty people popped up to yell, “Surprise.”
Unfortunately, Faith got a fright. Probably because of everything that had happened recently. Screaming, she turned and jumped into his arms. He held her tight, one arm under her ass, the other around her back.
Cradling her to him, he spoke to her quietly, soothingly, while her entire family looked on in shock as she cried.
“Danny, I told you the surprise part wasn’t a good idea.” A woman who looked like an older version of Faith stepped forward. She was wearing a flowery dress that was a bit worn but flattering.
An older man walked forward with her, looking at Reuben suspiciously. “She always liked them when she was younger, Anna. Makes me think something else is going on. And what happened to her wrist? Who’re you, young man?”
Three younger versions of Faith’s dad stepped forward as well, frowns on their faces as they moved in front of the women and children. They all had Faith’s eyes, although only her mom had her ringlets.
“Hello, I’m Reuben Jones. I’m Faith’s boyfriend. She’s had a hard few weeks. She had an accident and broke her wrist. And I’m afraid that surprises and sudden loud noises aren’t a good idea.” He spoke in a firm but not unkind voice. However, a few of the women still moved back, clutching children.
Hmm. He’d need to work on that.
Faith stirred and looked up at him. “Did I just burst into tears over a surprise party?”
He smiled down at her disgruntled face. “Yes, baby.”
“Wow. And I thought you were the party pooper.”
He burst into laughter.
“Eloise seems to like your man. I’ve never seen her to take to anyone else like that. She dislikes most people,” her mom said, taking a seat next to her.
Faith looked over at Reuben. Her youngest niece, Eloise, was two and she was a hellion. Her parents were run ragged chasing around after her.
And right now, she was nestled in Reuben’s lap, her messy face pressed to his white shirt as she slept. Reuben glanced over at her and winked. Lance, her oldest brother and Eloise’s dad, was talking to him about something. Probably farming.
Reuben was likely bored out of his mind. Yet, he didn’t seem in a rush to leave.
After her embarrassing breakdown, Faith had pulled herself together and introduced Reuben to everyone. She’d been hugged half to death.
Then, the neighbors had started to turn up, and introductions started all over again. She hadn’t realized so many people would want to see her. Although a number of them seemed to want to gawk at Reuben.
But she hadn’t had a chance to sit and talk to her parents alone. Reuben had hovered for the first two hours, probably worried that she’d break down again.
He was overprotective. And she loved him for it.
Her dad took a seat to her left.
“He’s an . . . interesting fella,” her dad said carefully. “Nothing like Matt.”
“No, nothing like Matt.”
“That’s a point in his favor,” Grandpa Jake said gruffly. “Didn’t like that weasel.”
She smiled weakly over at her grandfather. “I know you didn’t, Grandpa.” She interlocked her fingers together, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry I haven’t been calling. That I haven’t visited. It was just hard.”
Her mom put her hand over Faith’s. “Oh, honey, it’s not you that should be apologizing to us but the other way around. We should have come to see you. But at first, we wanted to give you some space to come to terms with everything. We didn’t want you to run any further.”