Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“And what if she’s just working up the nerve to drive across the country again and not staying to say goodbye to me at all?”
“Did I or did I not say that I had talked to her?”
“You have a way of hearing what you want to hear.”
Granny’s winces are awful, especially when they’re followed up with a hairy eyeball. “I’m starting the countdown now. Ten. Nine. Eight.”
“Alright. I’m going.” I need to go before she changes her mind about tearing up the contract. I know she’ll convince Nina’s grandma to do the same. Our families will finally be off the hook. If they were ever really on the hook at all, that is. But at least it will be official. Sure, someone could still get written out later, but at least that burden is off our shoulders.
I take the first step toward the truck. I don’t think people are right when they say the first step is the hardest because all the steps after the first one prove it’s possible for a person’s feet to turn to stone. It’s a gradual process, getting worse with every single inch. While my feet feel heavy, my soul is lighter already. I had no idea the real weight of that marriage contract. I always knew it was bad, but I didn’t realize just how bad it was until I was freed from it. I might have said no and meant it, but it was still there, hovering like a big…well, shitstorm.
And what did I say about those meaning business?
“Make sure you know what you’re going to say before you find her!” Grandma yells at my back as I’m halfway to the truck. Then, she comes bounding up, spry as any twenty-year-old. “She’s at the Piggy Wiggy Oink Oink Cute Little Trotters Motel.”
“Yes, Granny. It’s the only one in Upperhand.”
“She could have rented one of those darned house places off the internet, you know,” she huffs in response.
“I suppose she could have.”
“Why on earth did they give the place such a crazy name if they have zero competition?”
“I don’t know. Maybe when they first opened it, they did have some. Or they were anticipating some.”
“Hmm. Good point. Now, are you going to say something idiotic to Nina? Should I come with you and make sure you don’t put your big hairy toes in your mouth?”
“My toes might be big, but they are only moderately hairy. Hairy toes are perfectly acceptable.”
“Has Nina seen them?” Granny asks.
“I have no idea.”
“Well, that’s the real test of love. Whether someone will have you, hairy toes and all.”
“What if her toes are hairy?” I retort.
“What if? Would you have her if they were?”
“Of course.” As soon as Grandma grins at me, I realize I’ve walked right into that.
“Ahh,” she says, her face folding up into smiley wrinkles. “So you are going to say the right thing.”
I run a hand through my hair. What I wish I could do is shower off the barn grime and humidity before I go into town, before I see Nina. That’s probably a good idea. And a fresh change of clothes too. “I’m going to have a shower, and by the time I’m finished with that and get my truck into town, I’ll have figured out what that is. I promise.”
“But my countdown!” Granny is indignant, and she casts a doubtful look at me.
“I’m truly going,” I assure her. “It’s not an empty promise. I can’t…I can’t let Nina drive all the way home. I just can’t. Are you happy now?”
At my words, her eyes get all sparkly. “Yes, Thaddius.” She looks at me like, finally…I’ve finally figured out the meaning of life. Or at least how not to be an enormous ignoramus. “I’m absolutely ecstatic.”
CHAPTER 19
Nina
How is a person supposed to get past the fact that they fell for the one man they were never supposed to fall for, but he didn’t fall back? I’m not sure there’s a recipe for fixing that kind of pain. Thaddius was never going to want me, but I still hoped. I hoped the chemistry I felt between us, not just physical, but the way the room buzzed with emotion whenever we were in the same space, and the way we worked together and helped each other, could have been the basis of something good.
He could have asked me to stay.
But he didn’t.
He always said he wouldn’t, and he followed through. There are so many reasons why he didn’t change his mind. I don’t hold it against him. I’d just hoped we’d have more time together, even a few more days. He was starting to open up and show me that he could be funny, sensitive, and kind. That he’d risk his life for a chicken. He was caring and smart.
And then, my sporty, uncomfortable, low-to-the-ground ridiculous car had to go and wreck it all by being done too fast. I appreciate the mechanics and all they did for me, but this is the one time where if the parts were delayed, I would have been happy.