Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
“I dated in high school, Dad. I’m not a relationship virgin.”
“Son, high school doesn’t count. You are living with Timberlynn. This is a relationship, not sex in the back of your truck and a trip to Sonic afterwards for dinner and a chocolate shake.”
Ty and Brock both laughed, and I shot them each a dirty look.
“You yourself said that this is the first time Timberlynn has been free to do what she wants. Now you’re asking her to set up shop in a place that isn’t hers.”
I rubbed the back of my neck and sighed. I knew he was right. Hell, Timberlynn and I were moving faster than fast, but it felt right.
“Fast is something we do in this family, Dad,” Brock said. “Look at how fast Lincoln and I went.”
“Lincoln was also pregnant and…”
Three sets of blue eyes looked at me. Ty and Brock suddenly seemed amused, and my father had a stern expression on his face. “Good Lord, tell me you haven’t gone and gotten the girl pregnant.”
I laughed. Only because now I could laugh. For a few weeks I did my fair share of silently freaking the fuck out until Timberlynn went to the doctor and got the all clear she wasn’t pregnant. She was now on birth control, though the doctor advised her to continue the condoms for at least a month. I even had the damn day marked in my phone when I could make love to her bareback again.
“Timberlynn is not pregnant.”
“Thank goodness,” my father said.
“Would that be a bad thing, Dad?” I asked.
“Yes, in a way. I want the girl to pursue her dreams, Tanner, and so should you.”
“I do want that. I’m not ready to have kids, but if it happened, I wouldn’t be upset either.”
“Christ Almighty, is there something in the water you boys are drinking? You all have lost your damn minds.”
All heads swung around to see Dirk walking up. Brock pushed off the wall and made his way over to him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were riding this weekend.”
“I am. I flew back in to help my folks with some repairs they needed done on the well.”
“I could have helped them,” I said.
Dirk gave me a smile and nodded his head. “I know, but it sounded like they were itching for me to come home for a few days. What’s this about kids?”
“Nothing,” I stated as I looked back at my father quickly. “I was trying to tell my dad and brothers that I think I need to go to Atlanta to talk to Lincoln’s father. I can’t stand to see the sadness in her eyes every time she mentions him. He sends her exactly one text a week now, and he ends it by asking her when she’s coming home.”
My father shook his head. “So strange.”
“I think there’s more to it,” Ty said.
“Like PTSD from the mother dying?” Dirk added.
I looked between the two of them. “What?”
Ty took in a deep breath and then exhaled. “From what Kaylee has told me, Timberlynn’s parents were the classic love story. Met in college, got married right after. She said she can remember her parents making comments about how the two were inseparable. The fact that the man has never remarried also says something.”
“From what Timberlynn says, he’s played the field. Maybe he likes the freedom of all the women,” I said.
“Or, he doesn’t want anyone in the same way that he wanted his wife. Didn’t you mention that Timberlynn said that if anyone her father dated got to close to her, he would break up with them?” my father asked.
I thought about it for a moment. “Yes. She did mention that. So, the dad doesn’t get married again because he was madly in love with his wife. I get that. But that doesn’t explain why he’s kept Timberlynn at arm’s length all these years. Why treat her like she isn’t even there?”
This time Brock spoke. “To guard his own heart. Maybe he was so heartbroken about his wife’s death, he figured he’d be safe if he kept Timberlynn at a distance. Out of fear of losing her too.”
I nodded. “That makes sense. But shouldn’t that be all the more reason for me to go and talk to him? He needs to know how much his daughter has needed him. I love her, and I don’t want to see her hurting like this. Plus, if he comes to Montana and sees how happy she is, he’ll back off the bullshit of blocking her from purchasing anything here.”
The four of them exchanged looks, and my father finally nodded. “Do you want me to fly out with you?” he asked.
“No, I don’t want him to think we’re double-teaming him,” I replied.
“True,” Brock stated.
Dirk cleared his throat and smirked. “My question is, are you going to tell Timberlynn you’re going to Atlanta to talk to her dad?”