Heartbreak Hill Read Online Heidi McLaughlin

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
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When he came out of the bathroom, he found their bed empty but could hear laughter coming from downstairs. As soon as he entered the hallway, he smelled bacon, eggs, and coffee. His stomach growled.

On most mornings when he’d come downstairs to greet his daughters, he’d find chaos. Mornings were hectic, with him trying to get to work and Nadia trying to wrangle two rambunctious girls out the door for school before she headed off to work. When he could, he’d go in an hour late so he could stay and help his wife.

Rafe entered the kitchen and made his way to the breakfast nook, which had a built-in bench that offered them prime sitting space, where he found his youngest dressed in last year’s Halloween pirate costume, complete with eye patch. He just stared, unsure of how to proceed. He and Nadia encouraged Lynnea’s creative process: her “individuality,” as the pediatrician had called it. This was a phase she’d grow out of; at least that was what they were told. He kissed the top of her head and then made his way over to Gemma and did the same.

At eight and six, respectively, they were as opposite as they came. Gemma was cool, calm, nurturing, and wise beyond her years, while Lynnea was the hurricane in their household. She had a sassy mouth, loved to watch horror films (even though they were strictly forbidden), and pushed her mother’s buttons often. Lynnea went from zero to one hundred and stayed there until the crash happened, which thankfully came around eight at night, like clockwork. Lynnea exhausted them most days, but Rafe and Nadia wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“Daddy,” Gemma said, getting his attention. “You know the father-daughter dance is coming up at school. Do you want to go?”

“I don’t know. Can you dance?”

Gemma nodded and stood up from the table. She began moving back and forth and waving her arms in some fancy motion she’d undoubtedly seen on a video. Rafe reached for her hand and told her to put her feet on his. She did, and then he waltzed them around the room, with him dipping her at the end.

“Do we have to dance like that?” Gemma asked.

Rafe shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. I can dance like this.” He started flailing his arms around and contorting his body. Lynnea loved it. Gemma not so much.

“Mommy, make him stop.”

Nadia refused and laughed right along with Lynnea.

“Daddy!” Gemma moaned. Rafe stopped and pulled her into his arms. “I’d absolutely love to go to the dance with you, Gemma. Tell Mommy the date, and she’ll put it in my calendar.”

“Can I get a new dress?”

Rafe glanced at Nadia, who shrugged. “Only if you make sure to buy me a matching tie.”

Gemma smiled brightly. “We can do that, right?” She looked at her mom.

“Of course. We have time. I think the dance is in May.”

“Loads of time,” Rafe said.

“What about me?” Lynnea asked.

“Yours will start next year,” Nadia told her. “Then Daddy will take you.”

“Do I have to wear a dress?”

“Nope,” Rafe said. “You can wear whatever you want.” He’d probably regret those words later.

Rafe helped Nadia finish preparing breakfast. He made toast and his oatmeal, while she plated eggs and bacon for herself and the girls, and then he carried everything over. Before he sat, he noticed Gemma’s and Nadia’s shirts: RAFE KARLSSON IS #1 IN MY HEART.

His eyes misted.

“I love your shirts,” he said as he pulled his chair out, sat down at the table, and reached for the orange juice and a banana from the basket of fruit on the table. He held it up to Lynnea, silently asking her if she wanted some. She nodded.

He peeled a banana, gave the top half to Lynnea, and added pieces of the rest to his oatmeal, along with a dollop of peanut butter. This was his normal go-to breakfast. Nadia handed him two slices of toast, also with peanut butter. For the past couple of months, while training for this road race, he’d changed his diet.

Rafe’s phone chimed. He glanced at the screen and groaned.

“What’s wrong?” Nadia asked.

“Kiran,” Rafe said with a sigh. “He’s not running today.” Kiran Dunlap had been Rafe’s best friend since their freshman year in college, when they’d met on the rowing team. This would’ve been Kiran’s first time running in the Commonwealth Cup. Rafe had asked him, in hopes they’d be able to convince more coworkers to join them next year and enter as a team.

“How come?”

Rafe shook his head. It didn’t matter what excuse Kiran came up with; Rafe would run regardless. He turned his attention back to Nadia and the girls. “I can’t wait for tonight.”

“Why, what’s tonight?” Nadia asked.

“Nachos,” he said with a wink. “I don’t even care where we go out to eat, as long as there are nachos.”


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