Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 95080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
He made us all self-sufficient and confident in our abilities. He was our touchstone if we strayed off the path. I loved his dear, sweet face with the deep laugh lines in the corners of his light-blue eyes. Now, as I clung to him, I felt much better. Seeing him, I knew I was still me. I was still Tracy, and someday very soon I would be okay.
I pulled back, and he let me. Our gazes met before he turned to welcome Evan and Alex. I watched him cup Evan’s face in his hands and really look at him, checking him over, making sure he was okay. He could tell if he wasn’t. Nothing could be hidden from my old man.
Something bumped my right thigh then, and when I looked down, there was Bo, my dad’s huge pit-bull mix. Sinking down on one knee, I started petting the dog, who gave me a lick on the nose, then gently smelled my hair, my face, my left ear, and then stepped forward to rest his muzzle on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him to a chorus of awwws.
Rising, I became aware of someone looking at me, and only then noticed the two women—one older, one younger—standing beneath the arch that led from the foyer into the living room.
“Hi,” I said, sounding lame. “I’m Tracy.”
The older woman came forward, holding her hand out for me to take. “Hello, Tracy, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Beth Segal.”
“Beth.” I smiled at her, taking the offered hand. “The pleasure’s all mine.”
“Wait,” my dad interrupted us, and went to stand beside her. He draped his arm around her shoulders. “Beth, I want you to meet my sons. This is my youngest, Evan, then Tracy, and Alex, my oldest.”
My brothers shook her hand, Evan cheerfully, Alex reluctantly.
“And this is my daughter, Joanna,” Beth said, beaming at her as Joanna shook hands with us.
“Come sit down,” my dad said, herding us into the living room.
My brothers took up bookend positions on the couch, and after I shed my parka, I flopped down between them. There was silence as Alex took off his leather motorcycle jacket and Evan removed his suit jacket and folded it carefully.
“I have to tell you,” Joanna burst out suddenly, “I watch Cape Cod every single week. I have watched it ever since it started, and now I’m sitting here with you and it’s totally amazing.”
Evan smiled the smile that did nothing for his eyes but looked mostly real. “Thank you,” he said amiably, at the same time patting the throw pillow he’d put in his lap and motioning to me. “Why don’t you rest your head, druggie?”
I would have told him where to go with the druggie comment, but I realized my head was getting fuzzier by the second. The concussion was still happening. So I stretched out, legs on Alex, my head on the pillow on Evan’s lap. As soon as I rolled to my side, Bo was there, beside the couch, putting his head down so I could pet him.
“Tracy, can I make up the bed in the spare room for you?” Beth asked me softly. I heard her, but my eyes had drooped closed, and I couldn’t find the strength to open them or answer her.
“No, no,” my dad said, “he’s better here with us.”
“Wouldn’t he be more comfortable—”
“No,” my dad interrupted her. “He’s plenty comfortable there and feeling pretty safe as well. Safe is the important thing now.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Alex said sullenly, and I felt him taking off my boots.
“What does that mean?” Dad asked, his tone firm.
“I only told you he got attacked,” Alex almost snapped at him. “I didn’t tell you why.”
“Then tell me why.”
“Not right now.” Alex sounded so peevish, I wanted to kick him, but I didn’t have the energy. He dropped his hand to rest heavy on my left calf, and the warmth felt really good. I realized I was freezing again and mumbled something to Evan.
“What?” Joanna asked, trying to hear me, I guessed.
“He’s cold,” Evan told her. “Dad, could you grab Mom’s afghan?” And from his sudden inhale, I knew he hadn’t meant to phrase it the way he had. He had no agenda, no underlying hint of malice. And I also knew that Alex must be pleased with the wording.
The blanket was like heaven, so warm, so soft. I snuggled into it and shoved my cold feet under Alex’s leg. I sighed my pleasure, and that apparently broke the tension. Everyone chuckled and relaxed. I tried to follow the conversation, but I nodded off, too content not to sleep.
SEVEN
I stretched and let out a yelp of pain. I had to stop doing that.
“Tracy, honey,” my dad said gently. I looked up, and he was right there, looming overhead.