Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 115468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
My mouth had dropped open as Archer’s hands flew through the air and Bree voiced his thoughts. I looked over Archer’s shoulder to see Romeo at the bar, wiping out a glass, a small smile on his face and Cash “reading” the bar menu that he certainly had memorized.
My gaze moved back to Archer. “A business where I work with dogs all day?”
He nodded.
“We heard that might be something you’d be interested in,” Bree said, the corners of her lips trembling slightly.
Again, I glanced at my uncles and saw that Cash was fighting back a smile. I caught Romeo’s eye and he winked. Oh.
“Nathan’s Legacy,” I breathed, naming the business I hadn’t even agreed to yet as I met Archer’s golden-brown eyes.
He grinned and signed, “I like it. He’d like it too.”
“Please accept,” Bree said, reaching across and taking my hand in hers and squeezing. I lifted my other hand to hold hers in mine for a moment before letting go.
“I…but…” I mostly held back a grimace. “I can’t move to Calliope, or even Pelion. I’m not welcome in either of those towns.” The stories about my dishonest exploits were probably growing and spreading as we spoke. Blakely might have put me on blast to her two-million-strong Instagram audience for all I knew. Even my thirty-seven followers had probably deserted me. Well, except one, but he was family. “I’m a social leper.” And I brought it on myself.
“You are no such thing,” Bree said. She smiled at her husband. “Plus, we’re not afraid of a little gossip. We’ll ignore the people we don’t care about and set the others straight. Please don’t let that be the reason you say no, Rory. I promise you, there are good, sincere people in Pelion and Calliope who are eager to extend second chances. I know Travis isn’t here right now, but next time you see him, I’m sure he’ll be happy to add on to that with some personal experience on the matter.”
I released a breath, hope rising within me like the tide after a storm, all the stronger for what came before it. “Hold on,” I said. I stood, walking the short distance to the bar. “You did this,” I said to Romeo and Cassius.
“No,” Romeo said. “They did this. They wanted to give you the legacy you deserve. I only offered up the idea about the dogs.”
“But…I can’t. The bar—”
“Rory, go answer that call,” Cassius said, his voice gruff. “The Hale family—half your bloodline—has been living in that town since the town came into existence. Your father’s been beckoning you.”
Your father’s been beckoning you. I’d thought the same thing, hadn’t I? And yet, the poetic words, coming from my gruff uncle’s mouth, surprised me. “Do you really believe that?”
“The dude swears he saw a mermaid once,” Romeo offered.
Cassius shot him a look, but then shrugged. “We come from a place with magical mud. Why not? Anyway, it’s not about what I believe, darlin’. It’s about what you believe.”
What I believe. I glanced back at Archer and Bree. Did I believe I belonged in Pelion, the land my father’s fathers had lived on? I thought about the peace I’d felt there. I thought about the man I’d fallen in love with there. But I took in a deep pull of air and put thoughts of Gage Buchanan aside for now. This choice would not be about him. This choice had to be about following my own heart, regardless of anything else. I closed my eyes and pictured that glistening lake and swore I could feel the gentle breeze on my skin and hear the soft swish of pine trees swaying. I opened my eyes, tears making it difficult to see. Yes, I felt called there, to Pelion, to that peaceful lakeside town my father had loved with all his heart and soul. The place that had brought him the strength necessary to take care of a little boy who had no one else but him. Still, I loved the people here. How would I leave? “The bar…” I croaked, attempting one final argument.
Romeo smiled gently, but there was a twinkle in his eye. “Rory, I know you’re vulnerable right now, and I don’t want to add insult to injury, but I suggest you accept because you’re kind of a shit waitress and your baking is a crime against humanity.”
I laughed, a soggy sound full of tears and joy. I looked back at Archer and Bree who stood and approached as Romeo came from behind the bar and Cassius stood. Then I hugged them all in turn, laughing and crying, meeting Bree’s eyes and nodding to accept their offer because at the moment, words failed me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Gage
“Get up,” I heard yelled over the pounding of my head. I moaned, bringing the pillow to my face to shut out the grating sound of whoever was talking now, a running dialogue of how disgusting my condo was.