Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Please be good, or else I’m going to have to get very crafty with hiding pieces of cake.
I follow Laina into the living room. She waits for me to sit, then curls up in my lap. It’s her favorite spot, it seems.
“Sorry for taking longer than I said I would today,” I say, sweeping her hair off her shoulder. “Tucker—do you remember him? He owns a trucking company in town.”
“I don’t think I do.”
“Anyway, he called and asked me to swing by. He wants to put a benefit together for Cotton. They were good buddies. Their farms are side by side.”
“That’s nice of him.”
I nod, my chest tightening as I think of Cotton. “Tucker isn’t much of an extrovert, so he asked me and Gavin to help him put it together.”
“You’re going to?”
“Of course. I’ve been thinking of ways to show him our support. But we can’t just take food over there or go visit him since they’ve already left for Chicago.”
She rests her head against my chest. “What’s the plan?”
“Cotton started a community charity a long time ago that helps kids access horses. It’s expensive, and stables aren’t always close. Through his program, kids from Peachwood County can take lessons free at any participating stable. I think all the stables around here are involved.” I smile. “It’s his pride and joy. We’re going to hold a fundraiser, so Cotton knows it will remain funded for a while. Who knows what’ll happen to it once he’s gone.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What started as a simple idea has steamrolled into about ten,” I say, chuckling. Par for the fucking course for my family. “I think we’re going to organize a car show next month. All of Cotton’s friends are old car collectors, so they’ll be happy to participate, I’m sure. Gavin talked to The Wet Whistle, and they will donate all profits on the day of the car show to Cotton’s family. Mom is organizing an auction. Dad and Chase are putting together a fishing tournament the next day since a lot of the car guys will still be in town. And I’m going to organize a tack sale. That’ll bring in all the horse people from all over. Kennedy and Kate want to expand it to a community-wide garage sale. We’ll see.”
I stop when I notice Laina’s body shaking softly.
“Hey,” I say, nudging her.
She doesn’t look up at me.
“Hey,” I say again, peeling her away so I can see her face.
Tears stream down her pretty little cheeks, leaving black mascara trails behind. Her lips are pouty as they tremble.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, confused. “What happened?”
“Why are you guys so damn nice?”
She starts crying again. This time, I try not to laugh.
“Oh, Laina,” I say, pulling her against me again. “I have no idea why that makes you cry, but I’m sorry? I think? I guess.”
“Don’t be sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry over. It just … I’m a little emotional today.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.
She sits quietly, sniffling every now and then. I don’t push her to open up, but I just comfort her, letting her know I’m here.
Finally, she straightens up and pulls her hair back into a ponytail.
“When is all of this happening?” she asks.
“We’re shooting for three weeks from this Saturday if we can get it all put together and get the word spread fast enough.”
“Well, I can help with that.”
My brows pull together. “How?”
“I don’t want to announce it quite yet because I might have to move some things around. I don’t know. But I want to help. Would there be room for me to put together some kind of a concert?”
I’m stunned. My jaw hangs open, and I stare at her. Is she serious?
“Maybe we can rent the college football stadium in Fairwood,” she says. “It’s half an hour from here, but we could do it on Friday and advertise the Saturday activities. Or do it on Sunday and hopefully bring people to town on Saturday. I could do two concerts, one in the morning and one in the evening. I’ll pay for security and the insurance, refreshments. Whatever we make, we donate to your friend.”
The center of my chest burns. I press a palm to my forehead and stare at her, speechless.
“I just want to do something,” she says. “My name has been used to draw attention to a lot of rich people and inconsequential bullshit. I’m just … I’m over it. I’m taking control like I should’ve a long time ago. What better place to start than to help the community I grew up in?”
“Laina, I don’t know what to say. This is an incredible offer.”
She kisses me softly. “Don’t say anything. This kind of thing is long overdue.”
I wrap her in my arms and rock her back and forth. I love you so fucking much.