Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Then again, if we would’ve never split, if I hadn’t walked away, I might not have any of this.
This dream I discovered may have never found its footing.
Sure, in ways all I did was subrogate the large family I wanted with one person for several families with lots of people, but I’m not certain I would prefer the other way of life over this one.
Over the past couple of days, I’ve taken a step back and forced myself to evaluate the pros and cons of how my tragedy with Ry ended. Of course, Katherine is right. I have lost part of myself, part of my passion and fire, but at the same time I discovered a love for a work I might not have otherwise. I have a success I might’ve never been bold enough to dream about while I was so wrapped up in him. I like to think that letting go of Ry was purely to save him, but I think subconsciously, I wanted to save what I could of myself, too.
“Yeah, I’m positive.” Noah warmly nods. “This is all about my girls. This moment is all Shelly and Shelby’s.”
“You are so wonderful,” Shelly adoringly coos at him.
The faint smile on my face struggles to remain. “You are already wearing the classroom feet covers. It is a strict policy for this room. No shoes are to be worn in here. Ever. The covers get washed at the end of every day, and there are back up batches in case something goes wrong. I do have a night crew that does laundry and thoroughly cleans the classrooms. Whenever you’re ready, go ahead and join them.”
“Come on, Shelby,” Shelly says to her excited daughter. “Let’s go meet what could very well be your teachers one day.”
Noah and I exit into the hallway where we park ourselves on the waiting bench across from the classroom.
“Shelly loves it here,” he announces while making himself comfortable. “She has not stopped saying that since we walked in the door.”
Smiling is much easier than it previously was.
“And our daughter has not fussed once since we walked in the door. I think it’s safe to assume she loves it here too.”
“I hope so.” I fold my hands in my navy skirt-covered lap. “I think you and your family would make a beautiful addition. We have a child moving onto the next classroom in a couple of weeks and will have an opening.”
“I want that spot, Miss Morrison.”
“Fairly certain it will be yours, Mr. Collins.”
“Noah.”
“Noah.”
Silence is only allowed a brief stint.
“Do you have children of your own, Miss Morrison?”
Suddenly feeling incarcerated by the question, my eyes search for an excuse to escape while sending out telepathic messages for help. When nothing seems to be willing to come to my rescue, once again proving I don’t have mutant brain powers, I readjust myself in my seat. “No.”
“Why not?” Noah bluntly ponders as he angles his body towards me. “You’re wonderful with children. A total natural. That was evident from the three minutes we observed in the doorway. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’d make a fantastic mother.”
His words pierce my fragile spirit triggering tears. However, instead of letting them fall, I push them down the back of my throat. “Thank you, Noah. That’s very kind of you to say.”
“Simple facts, Miss Morrison.”
Yet again quietness isn’t long enough.
“So, why no children of your own? Is it medical?”
“No.”
“Are you and your fiancé not ready for them?”
“I’m not engaged.”
“Interesting.” He crosses one leg casually over the other. “Ryder is single as well.”
I didn’t say I was single.
And part of me…the part of me that never lost hope we’d somehow find ourselves on the same path is the same part of me that won’t correct him.
“You know growing up, I figured it would be Ryder who had the big, beautiful family first. That I would be cool Uncle Noah who buys the best presents and invites them to my ski cabin for summers or Spring Break. I had this image of celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas at the place you two had together. Having too many helping of mashed potatoes and fighting for the last piece of your mom’s monkey bread, which is unlike anything else I’ve ever had. Closest I’ve ever gotten was at this little bakery in Doctenn, which Shelly adores.” His soft voice somehow only makes his words sting more. “I always pictured I’d be across the room with whatever woman I could convince to keep me company for the holiday, watching the two of you laugh together or cook together or clean up after your kids together, silently wishing and longing for the love that you two had.”
Being completely stunned by this confession has me anxiously gnawing on my tongue.
“To be completely Frank, I always felt you two belonged together.”