Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
I looked down at Elizabeth, thankful my mom understood how I felt and wasn’t judging me for it or making me feel like a child. “She’s all I want and need,” I assured her.
Mom nodded. “Then take care of her. She’s family now, and I don’t want to have to hurt my own son for hurting her,” she warned me.
I frowned. I knew she was teasing, but the mere thought of hurting Elizabeth in any form made me want to throw up.
“Mom, if I hurt her, you’ll have to have something of me left to hurt,” I quietly told her. “Because I don’t know if I could live with myself.”
She gently squeezed my leg as she headed toward the door. “Then you’re definitely in love with her, Drake.”
With that, she left, leaving the door open. I pressed my lips to Elizabeth’s forehead.
I never wanted to do anything to put me in jeopardy of losing her.
10
Elizabeth
I slowly opened my eyes and rolled to my back, staring up at the dark ceiling above me. I was alone in bed, the spot Drake had been sleeping in cold from his absence. Leaning up on my elbows, I looked toward the windows. Sunlight was creeping around the edges of his dark, black-out curtains, and from the look of things, the sun was high in the sky.
I groaned and flopped onto my back before rolling onto my side and grabbing my phone to check the time. It was after ten in the morning. Jeez. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept this long. But for once, I was safe, not to mention Drake had cuddled me all night. I’d really needed that kind of rest.
I slowly inched out of bed and padded barefoot to Drake’s bathroom. After brushing my hair and my teeth, I headed downstairs, a bit ashamed to still be wearing my clothes from the day before. But what could a girl really do? It wasn’t like I had anything different to wear.
Rita was sitting at the bar when I walked in, a cup of coffee in front of her. She was still in her pajamas, her hair not brushed yet. She looked up at me and smiled. “There’s coffee in the coffee maker if you’d like some,” she told me.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“Sleep well?” At my nod, she continued. “I’ve been with the hospital long enough to get weekends off. Henry knows not to bother me before I’m ready to get out of bed.” She glanced down at her phone when it vibrated, a small smile pulling at her lips. “I’m guessing Drake didn’t bother you either?” she asked as she grabbed her phone off the counter.
I shook my head. “No. That was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.”
She glanced up at me, her smile never leaving her lips. “Want to help me make breakfast once you get some coffee in your system? My son just texted me, and I quote,” she said, laughing softly as she began to read directly from her phone, “Mom, I’m starving. If I don’t get food soon, I’m going to eat one of the cows. Can you please call Dad and tell him to let me get some sustenance?”
I giggled and nodded at her. “I’d love to help with breakfast,” I told her. Especially if it meant returning some of the kindness Drake had shown me.
She beamed and then pulled her phone to her ear. “Hi, dear,” she greeted. She paused for a moment. “I slept well, thank you. But your son is claiming he’s about to eat one of the cows. How about coming in for some breakfast?”
The phone call ended another minute later, and Rita slid off her bar stool, heading to the coffee maker. Once she had a fresh cup of coffee, she opened the fridge, pulling out eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancake mix. She clapped her hands together, making me jump, though I don’t think she noticed. My heart continued racing in my chest long after she turned to face me, and I forced myself to swallow down my irrational fear.
“Alright, hun, let’s get these men some food.”
Henry stepped into the house, his big frame quickly making its way to the dining room table, where Rita was currently setting out plates and silverware. I turned away from them when he leaned down to press a kiss to her lips, my cheeks heating in embarrassment at witnessing their affection.
Drake stepped into the house just as I put the last pancake on the stack. He grinned at the sight of me. “Morning, baby.” He gripped my hips and pulled me against him before leaning down and softly kissing me. My body reacted the same as it always did when he touched me like this, and I barely swallowed the needy whimper that wanted to crawl up my throat.