Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“Hey kids, what’re ya up to?” Dad asks.
“Just stoppin’ in to say hi and see Noah,” Gemma replies, leaning down and giving me a hug. “How was your first day in civilization?”
I snort. “Fine, I guess. Got all my shit sorted out.”
“Oh awesome.” She takes the seat next to me as Tyler heads into the kitchen.
“I smell Belinda’s cooking!” he shouts as he walks away.
“It’s been taunting me for an hour,” I groan as my stomach growls. I notice Gemma’s all dressed up and pinch my brows. “Weren’t you at the gym today? Lookin’ a bit fancy.”
“Oh, no. I work at Everleigh’s boutique part-time. She’s been nagging me for years to help her out, and once the garage closed, I had the time between gym stuff.”
“You didn’t tell me that. I would’ve stopped in.”
“It’s a newer position. It’ll probably only last through the summer.” She clears her throat, then turns toward me. “Speaking of which, Katie stopped in during her lunch break today.”
I lift a brow, knowing she’s about to tell me something I won’t like. “Oh yeah?”
“Yep, told us all about how you came into the bank and demanded she open you an account.”
“Demanded is a pretty strong word.” I cross my arms over my chest, getting a little heated at her accusation. “What else did she say?”
Gemma makes a zipping motion across her lips. “That’s girl code. Sorry, bro.”
I roll my eyes, frustrated. “I asked her to give me five minutes to talk, and she walked away.”
“It’s gonna take more than just askin’,” she tells me. “She nearly ripped me a new one for the little stunt you and Tyler pulled on Saturday. So I’m staying out of it.”
I bark out a laugh. “When have you ever stayed out of anything in your life?”
“Hey!” She smacks my arm. “I can mind my own. Nothing I say is gonna change her mind. Believe me, I’ve tried. But it’s what you get, Noah Reid. You wouldn’t budge either when I asked you to let her visit on her behalf.”
“And I had a good reason for that, which she won’t let me explain,” I counter.
“Doesn’t matter. She doesn’t want your excuses. You’re gonna have to win her back another way.”
“Yep,” Dad agrees. “Katie’s independent and strong-willed. She’s had to be for the last decade, so you’re gonna need to do a lot more than just sweet-talk her.”
God. Now my father is adding to this. Just great.
Belinda making an announcement that dinner is ready right now would be perfect but no such luck. Tyler comes strolling back in with a piece of bread in his mouth.
“You ready to work tomorrow?”
“Hell yeah. Can’t wait, honestly.”
“You’ll be working with Smith,” he tells me.
“Smith? I thought I was workin’ with you.”
“I’ll be there,” he confirms. “But Smith takes the lead on most projects since he’s experienced. It’s good for you too, so you can have a potential reference for a future job.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
Belinda picks that moment to let us know dinner’s on the table, and we all rush into the dining room. Dad grabs the plates, and Gemma sets the silverware. Tyler brings out the glasses, and I stare at the four of them.
“What can I do?”
“You can sit and enjoy,” Belinda muses.
“Hey, what did I say at the deli?”
“Hush. This isn’t the deli. This is home.”
I smile, then notice the way my dad looks at her, and it grows even wider. There’s so much adoration between them, it makes me damn happy.
“Alright, y’all. Dig in,” Belinda says after she says grace.
We chat about old memories and plans for the gym. It still doesn’t feel real to be eating at home with my family, but I am, and I’ll never take it for granted again.
CHAPTER FIVE
KATIE
It’s officially been eight days since Noah returned and knocked on my door, and even less since he strolled into the bank. When I saw Gemma at the boutique and told her what happened, I let it be known that he better be glad he left in one piece. I’m harboring a decade full of emotions, so my reactions when he’s around are more than valid.
After Owen and I finish eating lunch, he helps me clean up, then goes to his room.
As I wash the dishes and wipe down the counter, my mind wanders back to the past several years and how strong I’ve had to be. Juggling work, my son, and paying for everything. Anything I need, I do my damn self. Sometimes I resent Gabe for cheating and leaving me to do everything on my own, but then I feel guilty as hell about it because of the way he died.
Grief is weird and makes you second-guess your feelings. I loved Gabe, but once I got pregnant, things shifted between us. He didn’t look at me with the same twinkle in his eye. Instead of dealing with it, I ignored it. I’d made up my mind I’d figure it out after the baby was born.