Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
I smiled. “Definitely for our stuffed animals.”
“But have you ever been in love? Like a mom and a dad?”
“I thought I was, a couple times,” I answered truthfully. “But sometimes that kind of love is really just other things dressed up in a fancy costume.”
Mariah nodded. “And when the fancy costume is off, you see that it wasn’t really love?”
“Sort of. Yes,” I said, deciding that it wasn’t a perfect metaphor, but it was good enough for a Tuesday night after a couple glasses of merlot. “I think real love will keep feeling like real love, even after the costume is off and the novelty wears thin.”
“What’s novelty?”
“Newness,” I told her. “Real love should last, you know? It should grow even stronger over time, not fade away.”
“I didn’t know love could fade away.” Mariah’s voice trembled a little.
“It can’t,” I promised her. “Real love doesn’t fade. It only gets stronger.”
“I love my dad the most out of anybody.”
Girl, same, I wanted to say. Instead I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I know.”
“Sometimes I wish he wasn’t a police officer,” she whispered, as if she felt guilty about it. “I saw a movie once where a police officer died.”
My heart ached for her. “Listen to me. Your dad is a very careful and smart police officer. And Bellamy Creek is a very safe town. You don’t have to be worried about him, okay?”
“That’s what he says too.”
“Because it’s true,” I said. “I’ve known your dad a very long time, and he always tells the truth. Guess what else I know about your dad.”
“What?”
“He loves you the most out of anybody. And he always will. So that makes him extra careful and safe on the job.”
She smiled. “Okay. Can you send him up?”
“Of course. Goodnight, honey.”
“‘Night.”
Downstairs, Cole was rinsing my wine glass at the sink. “She’s all ready for you,” I said, taking my book bag off the back of my chair and slinging it over my shoulder.
“Okay.” He set the glass upside down on a towel to dry and turned to face me. “Thanks for staying.”
“Thanks for the help with the project.” I glanced at his turkey on the fridge and laughed. “You did a great job. A-plus work.”
He chuckled, folding his arms over his chest. “Right.”
“Well, I should get home. Early morning tomorrow,” I said, moving for the door.
“Want me to walk you back?”
Of course I did, but I shook my head. “No, that’s okay. Your mom isn’t here, and I don’t want to leave Mariah alone. She’s . . . a little emotional tonight, I think.”
His face grew concerned. “She is?”
“She’s okay,” I said quickly, “but she just told me she sometimes wishes you weren’t a cop.”
He nodded, his expression grim. “She saw a movie recently, where—”
“She told me. And I think it’s only natural for her to be afraid of losing you, given what happened to her mom.”
“I know. And I tell her all the time that I’m safe, and she’s safe, and that nothing can take me away from her.” He took a deep breath, and as he exhaled, he shook his head. “Still, it gets to me.”
I smiled. “You’re only human, remember?”
“Right.” He smiled at me, then put a finger over his lips, reminding me that was our secret. “Anyway, I’ve kept you here long enough. Let me get the door for you.” He crossed in front of me and pulled the back door open. Icy air blew in, and snowflakes were falling from the darkened sky. “Looks like you guys are going to get your wish for a white Thanksgiving.”
“Yay,” I cheered softly, coming to stand next to him.
He looked down at me. “Wait a minute. You can’t go out without a coat.”
“Cole, really, it’s such a short walk. I’ll be fine. You need to go say goodnight to Mariah.”
But he’d already disappeared into the front hall, and a moment later he was back with a dark gray Carhartt I recognized as his. Secretly pleased he was offering his own jacket, I slipped my arms into it.
“Thanks,” I said, freeing my hair from the collar. “I’ll make sure to get it back to you tomorrow.”
“No rush.”
I faced him again, wishing I didn’t have to go home at all, but instead could stay here and curl up under a blanket with him, watch some television, or even go to bed early. My eyes traveled over his shoulders and chest, imagining what it would be like to rest my head on them, bury my face in his neck, snuggle up beneath the covers on a cold night like tonight, instead of falling asleep alone. Then I remembered what he’d said earlier—your body is fucking perfect, Cheyenne—and I couldn’t help but smile as I met his deep blue eyes. “See you Thursday.”
“See you Thursday.” He pulled the back door open once more. “Hey, shoot me a quick text when you get into your house, okay?”