Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
I point at the door. “The bathroom is through there.”
“What happened to them is very tragic,” Mattie says. “I can’t believe she was willing to get you killed for the sake of money and business.”
“Let’s not talk about that in front of the kids,” I say.
“You’re right.” Mattie’s expression is sad when she takes in my face. “I should wash your hair before dinner. I’ll be gentle. It’ll make you feel better.”
“There’s nothing wrong with her hair,” Mom says.
“I can do your make-up,” Celeste offers.
“Thanks, but there’s no point. A ton of foundation can’t hide all these bruises.”
Mom pats my hand. “They’ll fade.”
“You don’t need the make-up,” Mattie says. “You’re beautiful without it. I was always jealous of that.” She nudges Jared. “Isn’t she?”
“She’s looked better,” Jared says. When everyone stares pointedly at him, he adds hastily, “But you’re still pretty.”
A knock falls on the door. Heidi opens it and gives us an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but dinner is almost ready. I set the table in the dining room. Sabella, would you like to eat downstairs?”
A chorus of, “No,” comes from my family.
“She must stay in bed,” Mom says.
Heidi studies me. “As long as you won’t get lonely.”
The walk downstairs actually weakened me a lot more than I expected. A headache is building at the back of my head. I’m happy to see my family, but to be honest, I’m tired. I just want to rest for a while.
I look between the people surrounding the bed. “You must be exhausted after the long journey. Why don’t you freshen up before dinner? We can catch up again later.”
Mom jumps to her feet. “Yes, we tired you too much.” She takes Brad’s hand and helps him off the bed. “We should let you rest.”
They retreat like one man to the door.
“I’m fine,” I say. “Really.”
“We’ll come say goodnight after dinner.” Mom pauses on the threshold. “I was thinking, there’s a lot of space in the lounge. I should ship your piano over.”
I lean back against the pillows. “That sounds like a plan.”
She nods before leaving with a straight back and determined steps like a woman on a mission.
Ryan returns with a clean face from the bathroom, but bruises are already forming under his eyes. Angelo must’ve broken his nose. It doesn’t look too skew. Although, it’s difficult to say with it swollen so badly. Splatters of blood stain the front of his shirt.
“I better go change,” he says with a strained smile. “I’ll catch you later, Bella.”
He’s barely closed the door when it opens again. I expect it to be Heidi, but it’s the doctor who came from the village to examine me. After taking my vitals and checking my injuries, he tells me I’m fine but warns me to keep still and not to upset myself.
When he leaves, I’m surprised when Angelo enters with a tray that holds two steaming plates, which he deposits on the nightstand.
“Aren’t you having dinner with the others?” I ask, studying him closely. Having my family here is as difficult for him as it is for them to accept his hospitality.
He hands me a plate of pasta with homemade pesto sauce and sautéed cherry tomatoes before taking a seat. “I’m not going to let you eat alone.”
A bruise darkens his cheekbone. The one on his jaw is worse, but his stubble hides most of it. I motion at his face. “That’s going to be black tomorrow.”
His mouth lifts in the corner. “Your brother looks worse.”
Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I say, “Ryan is just protective because I’m his little sister. He’s always been like that.”
His eyes cloud over. “That’s something I can both understand and respect.”
Not wanting him to think of his late sister and be sad, I drop the subject. “The kids haven’t said hello yet.”
“I wanted to give you time with your family first.”
“I appreciate that, but you mustn’t feel you should keep them away. They’re my family too.”
He blows out a sigh. “Sophie’s gotten it into her head that since Brad and Ben Jnr. are here, you don’t need her any longer.”
“What? Oh, poor Sophie. I’ll talk to her.”
He drags a hand through his hair, messing it up. “When my grandfather died, his goats wandered onto a neighboring farm. I told Toma to pay the owner a month’s grazing fee, but my cousin never did. The old guy came here to ask for his money while I was upstairs with you. Sophie was there when Heidi opened the door. She overheard him talking about the death of her parents, which he saw on the news. He asked if Heidi knew how they died. When Sophie flew into a rage, accusing him of lying, he told her to ask me herself.” Leaning forward, he steeples his fingers. “That wasn’t how I intended for her to find out.”