Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Which also means…they probably saw and experienced some hell.
If I had gone into the military instead of taking that serving job after graduation, would I have had those experiences? Added to the horrendous life I’d already led?
On the other hand…perhaps my life would be better. I wouldn’t have been in combat, but I might have been sent overseas.
But the biggest reason? During my fifth year at the restaurant, I was taken.
If I’d been in the military, I wouldn’t have been at the restaurant, and maybe I wouldn’t have been taken to that horrible island.
Before I know it, the huge portion of lasagna Buck served me is gone. It was delicious. The best meal I’ve had in some time.
We were fed very well on the island. A lot of seafood, though, which isn’t my favorite, but I learned to get it down because it was all that we had. We weren’t starved on the island by any means. No, we needed to be strong because the men who hunted us wanted worthy prey.
The only time I’ve been starved was during my childhood. When I lived with my mother. The only time I knew hunger, and I don’t ever want to know it again.
“So you liked it, I guess.” Leif gazes down at my clean plate.
“I did. Thank you, Buck.”
Buck smiles. “You’re very welcome, Kelly. Aspen and I would love to have you dine with us again sometime.”
Again, I resist dropping my jaw.
Why are these people being nice to me?
It’s an easy question to answer.
Because Reid Wolfe is paying them.
Always an ulterior motive.
No one is nice to me unless they have to be.
“Would you like some more?” Aspen asks.
“No, thank you. This was more than enough.”
“You sure? Buck made enough to feed an army… Or should I say navy.” She smiles as she traces her hand over Buck’s arm.
What the hell? It was delicious, and I wouldn’t mind a little more. “Maybe just a bit.”
Then I do something I haven’t done in a while.
I attempt to move my lips upward. I attempt to smile.
I’m not sure if I’m successful. God, when was the last time I smiled?
Maybe a better question would be… When was the last time I had something to smile about?
I get no reaction from anyone at the table, so my attempt to smile was clearly unsuccessful. Perhaps my facial muscles don’t even move that way anymore.
Buck takes my plate, cuts me the small portion I wanted in the first place, and hands the plate back to me.
“Thank you,” I mumble.
Leif is still working on his second heaping plateful, using his garlic bread to wipe up the sauce. “Fucking awesome,” he says with his mouth full.
Ugh. I hate when people talk with their mouths full. Maybe it’s because my mom used to smack me when I did it, so I quickly learned not to do it.
Though it’s rude, I don’t think Leif is a rude person. It’s more likely that he’s enjoying the food that much.
I dig into my second portion of lasagna, which is the best meal I’ve eaten in a long time.
I don’t cook for myself often. I was forced to do it when I was too young to be using a stove, and I got pretty good at scrounging around the house to make something edible for dinner to feed my mother and me when she refused to cook.
Sometimes it was hot dogs. Sometimes it was a box of macaroni and cheese. Sometimes it was plain pasta or simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. On good days, I found hamburger in the house. I learned how to make almost anything out of hamburger.
But to be able to cook like this? Prepare something that rivals anything I’ve eaten in a restaurant? He’s one talented man.
Aspen is a lucky woman.
I should tell her that. I should be happy for her.
I can’t, though. Why am I always so envious of everyone else?
Macy says it’s because my life has been troubled and I’m so insecure that I can’t help but be envious. She says it will take time, and I have gotten better.
I’m trying to focus on the gratitude. I’m grateful to be alive. No matter how bad my life got—either with my mother or on the island—I never wanted to end my life. Macy says that’s wonderful, that I have a zest for life, and I can be happy. It’s a choice.
Leif finally cleans the second plate and is conversing with Buck and Aspen about their honeymoon that was delayed.
Delayed because of me.
I have nothing to add to the conversation, so I finish up my second portion of lasagna and then simply sit. Quietly.
They continue, until Aspen rises. “I know you’re all full, but I do have some berries and whipped cream for dessert. I wanted something light. Kelly, do you like fresh berries?”