Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
I heard back from Agent Davis about the trial for Eugene Mass. He said they could use Cami’s testimony and she didn’t have to come to trial, which was a load off my shoulders. I don’t want that piece of shit to ever get the privilege of seeing her again, and the sooner he rots away in his cell the better. We’re both happy to close that chapter of our lives and start the next one, which turns out is happening tonight.
It’s New Year’s Eve and I’ve got a surprise planned for Cami. I know she knows what it is, because how could she not? But it’s a night for new beginnings and I plan on starting this year off right.
“I’ll tell you one thing. We’re going to have dinner in the park,” I say as I take her hand and we walk out of the house.
“The one with the swans?” she asks excitedly.
“Maybe,” I say as I wink at her.
She presses her lips together to keep from saying anything else and I shake my head at how damn cute she is.
We go outside and the black SUV is waiting for us. Normally we drive ourselves around, but for tonight I didn’t want to worry about it. I wanted to be able to have both my hands on her. My house isn’t too far from my parents’ place and it’s nice and quiet. But we’ve talked about getting something bigger once our family begins to grow.
I help Cami in the back and then I get in after her. She’s nervous as she fidgets, but I put my hand over hers to try and help her relax.
“Breathe, Dimples.” She cuts her eyes at me, but then she playfully pokes my side.
We’re on the way when I feel the car take a turn and we go off onto a gravel road.
“What the hell?” I say as I look out the window and begin to see trees go by us.
“What’s going on?” Cami says as she looks out her window.
“I don’t know.” My eyebrows furrow as I hit the call button to the front of the SUV. “Lewis, what’s going on?”
“The east bridge is stuck up in the air because a barge ran onto a sandbar. They’ve got the entire highway shut down on that side of town. I’m trying to take the cut through so we can make your reservation.”
“Shit,” I mutter and look down at my watch.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” Cami says, trying to smooth over my frustration.
We bounce down the road for a little while longer and she lets out a squeak of fright when we hit a pretty big pothole. Just when I’m about to call up to the driver again and tell him to turn around there’s a loud pop and the car comes to a stop.
“Oh no!” Cami cries, and she looks at me in panic.
“Stay here,” I tell her and I open the car door and look out.
The SUV is surrounded by mud and it looks like we’ve run over a pretty big log. I look around and see Lewis coming from the front and seeing the same thing I do.
“We’re going to have to go on foot,” I tell Cami as I jump out and sink down and few inches into the mud.
“Reed, I’m in heels,” she says with panic in her voice. “And it’s cold out.”
“Don’t worry, Dimples. I’ve got you.” I make her put on her coat and then I pick her up and carry her in my arms as I walk through the mud and away from the car.
“We’re just going to leave him there?” She’s got a look of horror on her face and I shake my head.
“I’ve got Triple A, and he’s probably got a gun on him. He’ll be fine,” I say.
“What about us? We’re just going to go tromping off into the dark with mud and bugs?”
“God, I love you.”
“I love you, too, Reed, but I didn’t survive those five years without you to die out here.”
“You’re with me, you have nothing to worry about,” I say as I walk through a thick row of trees and out into the clearing ahead.
It takes her a second to register what she’s seeing and she gasps as I get closer.
“You didn’t…” she says, and I hold her closer to me.
“I did,” I mumble into her neck and walk towards the light ahead.
We’re at the back of the elementary school where we used to play as kids. But I’ve had the whole thing set up like our high school prom. The one she missed out on and the one I couldn’t take her to.
“I can’t believe this. When did you have time?”
I set her down on the concrete and go over to the little table nearby. I hit play on the radio to turn on the music and I grab the box next to it.