Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“We would if you’d quit choking me to death,” I joke. She moves from me to Clay. He wraps her up in a brotherly hug, like a brother who knows more about her than any other person on earth. One day while we were in bed, I dumped on him, telling him everything from our childhood to teenage years and into adulthood. He stated then that Lennon and Clementine Sinclair are two of the strongest women he knows. He also grumbled that shit would be changing. Even though my sister is here in Florida, he’d be helping her any way he could. I really did land on the jackpot when I fell in love with Clay Garcia.
“Whatever. I’m allowed to hug my sister and future brother-in-law.” Lennie herds us into the house. “I want to see the ring in person.” She closes the front door. The humidity is rife even in February for Florida. The hot and sticky weather is not something I’ll miss.
“Visit with your sister. I’m going to assess the situation, see what all we’re working with.” Clay reads the room and knows I need a moment with Lennie.
“Thank you. This won’t take too long.” I lift on my toes, kissing the underside of his jaw. Clay allows me to do what I want, then, before I know it, his lips are on mine and he’s making it clear he’d do a whole lot more if we were alone.
“Take your time.” He tips his stone-colored cowboy hat in Lennie’s direction and heads for the garage door. We thought about flying here and then renting a U-Haul to drive back, but Clay did some research and said it’d be stupid when he owns a truck and trailer. He’s used to making the long treks across the States, plus, though he won’t say this freely, Clay Garcia likes to be in control of the situation.
I watch as he walks away, denim on denim, boots that are scuffed from working the land, in a slow swagger that matches his Southern drawl perfectly.
Once the door is closed, Lennon fans herself. “Okay, he’s hot. I’d leave Florida and my sister in a New York minute if it meant I had the attention of a man like that.” I laugh. God, do I laugh. My sister is slowly getting her spark back. There are still dark circles beneath her eyes, but cracking jokes is better than making herself sick with worry.
“I know. He’s something else, and I love him so much, Lennie.” We move to the kitchen table, pull our chairs out, and sit down. My sister immediately grasps my hands, holding ours together.
“I’m happy for you, so happy for you.” She squeezes my hands.
“Thank you. Now, I’m not going to pry. You’ll talk to me when you’re ready, but I am absolutely pissed at you for moving all my shit out of storage by yourself.” My sister takes on everything. She told me since I wasn’t coming home, the second bedroom in her small rental sat empty, and parking outside of the garage didn’t bother her. She’d rather put herself out than allow me to spend money in a frivolous way.
“Yeah, yeah.” Lennie waves me off. I’ll do one better. Before I leave, I’ll be putting money in her jewelry box she keeps on the dresser.
The door to the garage opens, and Clay peeks his head inside. “I hate to interrupt, but, sweetheart, there are some people out here I want you to meet.” Clay has his signature grin, tilting his lips upward. Lennon is up out of her chair right along with me.
“Okay, this isn’t ominous or anything,” she says.
“It’s a good thing, promise,” Clay states.
“Are you sure?” I question.
“Sweetheart, out here is family, not blood but family all the same.” Clay clears the doorway, and once we’re inside, we’re surrounded by boxes and furniture. A lot of which I’ll either donate or ask Lennon to sell and keep the money since Clay and I went furniture shopping a while ago. The couch has been replaced, the guest bedroom is now fully kitted out, and there’s some new décor I’ve added whenever I saw something that caught my attention.
“There you two are.” I’d recognize that voice anywhere. Catherine Johnson, her husband, Russell, and their son Trey along with Sienna are standing in the driveway.
“Come on, Lennie. Let me introduce you to the most amazing woman in the world.” We’ve spoken on the phone multiple times. She even said they’d be visiting soon, but I never expected them to drive down here to help out.
“Hi, Ms. Catherine.” She hugs me tightly, one of those hugs that has depth and meaning. She does the same to Lennon.
“You two girls are gorgeous, aren’t they, Russell?” Ms. Catherine brings him into the fold.
“They sure are. Welcome to the family, Clementine, Lennon.” The guys go back to doing whatever they were doing.