Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Oh, no.” My hands cover my mouth as I think about Mary James. “Chandler, no,” I say, because haven’t we had enough loss in this life? It’s no wonder he brought my closest friends with him. He might not know that my heart will always belong to his brother, but he does know how close I am to his mother.
Fucking cancer.
I rub at my chest, willing the pain to ease, but it’s there with every breath I pull into my lungs, and every heartbeat, it lingers just beneath the surface.
He nods. “Breast cancer. She kept it from us until it was confirmed, which it was, yesterday. She caught it early,” he rushes to add. “The doctors are hopeful. At least that’s what Mom told us. She didn’t let any of us know what was going on. She said she didn’t want us to worry.”
“What can we do?” Leighton asks.
Chandler smiles at her. “Nothing that I can think of. She’ll have some appointments and stuff.” He swallows, and I watch as his throat bobs. “She’s a fighter.”
“She is,” I agree. “But we still want to help. She was there for us when we lost our parents. She’s been there for me for so many things in my life.” What I don’t say is that she supported me when her son left. My old scars don’t need to be brought center stage. Everyone in this room knows that Copeland James wrecked my heart.
“We want to help,” Courtlynn tells him.
Chandler nods. “I appreciate that.”
“Even if it’s with the kids, so you and Macie can take care of her. Whatever you need, let us know,” I tell him.
“All of us,” Leighton adds.
“I wish I were there,” Baylor says from the computer.
“Well, since you mentioned it, Mom did send me here. She wanted me to tell you all about her diagnosis, and she did want me to ask you for a favor.”
“Anything,” I speak before my sisters can, but I know they’ll be on board. Mary James is a saint, a savior, and besides, that’s what neighbors do in Magnolia Ridge. We show up and help out in whatever way we can.
“Ellie, maybe you should hear what the favor is first,” Dixon says.
Macklin and Bowen both nod in agreement.
Don’t they get it? Mary was our crutch. I’d do anything she asked to make this easier for her.
“Anything,” I repeat.
Chandler raises his hand and rubs the back of his head, looking uncomfortable. I know this has to be hard for him. Cancer is such a terrible disease, and to see your loved one have to fight through that, it’s something no one wants to face.
“Mom’s… well, she’s being Mom.” His lips tilt into a soft smile. “I guess I should start by giving you the news first.” He pauses.
“There’s more?” I ask.
He nods. “I’m just going to say it. Cope—he’s coming home, Ellison. To stay.”
My knees feel weak, and Dixon, who’s now the closest of the guys to me, reaches out as if he might need to catch me. “H-He’s coming home?” I don’t even know if they can hear the question, because my voice is so low. Hell, I’m not even sure I said them out loud until Chandler answers me.
“He is. He’s getting out, and he’s coming home. Mom’s going to need us, and Macie and I, we’re going to need help with Mom, the business, the kids. We don’t know exactly what we’re up against, but we know it’s time.”
I wobble, and Dixon leads me to the couch and helps me sit before taking the seat right next to me. He slides his arm around my shoulders, and I lean into his warmth.
“He’s coming home,” I whisper.
It’s been seventeen years since I’ve seen the man who stole my heart, then tore it to shreds. I should hate him, but I love him too much for that. Still, after all these years, there has never been a man to live up to the pedestal I put Copeland James on. It’s embarrassing that my heart still beats only for him.
“When?” Baylor asks through the screen.
“He has some things to do. Some forms that need to be signed, dotting the i’s and crossing the t's, but soon. He’s hoping before next week, when Mom goes to see the oncologist next Friday. He’s hoping to be here for that appointment.”
I nod. Next week. It’s fine. I’m an adult. I can see my high school boyfriend and not lose my shit. I hope I can, at least. I plan on losing my shit in the quiet confines of my own home, or bedroom, since Courtlynn and Leighton still live in the house with me that we all grew up in.
“A week.” I nod again, clearing my throat. “I know your mom will be thrilled to have him home after all these years.” I sit up straighter and square my shoulders. I can do this. In fact, it’s way past time that I do this. Maybe having Copeland here will help me heal. I can get answers to why he left and finally move on. Free my heart from his clutches. “You said your mom needed a favor? What can I do?”