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)
“Tell us what happened,” Leighton says.
“Nothing happened. He walked in. We were both shocked to see one another again after all these years. We exchanged small-talk pleasantries, and I left. I came home and had a migraine from the shock of seeing him, as you can imagine. I lay down for an hour or so, and here I am, back to work.”
“Turn me around,” Baylor demands.
Courtlynn does as she’s asked, and I hold her gaze through the phone. “He’s back. I knew he was coming back. Sure, it was a shock to see him, but it had to happen. I’m not going to stop seeing Mary because he’s now around all the time. She’s going to need me, need all of us, now more than ever. I wouldn’t do that to her. Copeland James is a part of my past.”
“More like a blast from the past,” Courtlynn mutters.
“The past,” I say again. “Does it hurt to see him? Yes, I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t. But it was damn near twenty years ago. I’m fine. He’s here. His family is here, and they need him. I’m a big girl. I can handle this.” My voice is strong, but all I keep thinking is Liar, liar, pants on fire in my head.
“Just a minute,” Baylor calls. “Girls, I have someone at my office door. I gotta run. Love you. Ellie, call me if you need me,” she says, before ending the call.
“Mary loved the cookies. She said to tell you thank you,” I tell Courtlynn.
“How is she?” Leighton asks.
“She’s in good spirits. She’s geared up to fight this disease with all that she has.”
“That’s good.” Leighton nods. “Ellison, are you sure that you’re okay?”
“Probably not,” I say, blowing some hair out of my eyes, “but I will be. Just taking life one day at a time.”
“You let us know if you need us,” Courtlynn tells me.
I smile at my sisters. “I will. I promise.”
“Okay, one more question, and we’ll let you get back to work.” Courtlynn leans in, resting her elbows on her knees. “How did he look?”
“Court!” Leighton scolds.
I don’t have to think about my answer. “Good. He looked good. His hair is short, and he always wore it longer, but he’s… mature, I guess is the best way to say it. He’s not the boy I fell in love with all those years ago. He’s a man.”
“A sexy man,” Courtlynn chimes in. “I mean, Chandler is a total DILF, so I’m assuming Copeland is aging like fine wine,” she says, sitting back in her chair and fanning her face with her hands.
“Courtlynn Rayne!” Leighton admonishes. “You can’t say things like that. Chandler is a married man.”
“I know, Lei. I’ve met his wife. She’s lucky as hell,” Courtlynn says, grinning like a loon.
“Go.” I shake my head at them. “Get out of here so I can get some work done.”
“We love you,” they say at the same time as they stand and walk around my desk. I stand, as well, pulling them both into a hug.
“I love you, too. It’s strange, but I’m good. I promise.” I have to be. This is a small town. We’re going to run into one another, and then one day, I might even have to see him move on. I’ll have to watch him fall in love again and live the life I thought we would live together. I just hope and pray by the time that happens, my heart will come to terms with the fact that he’s no longer ours.
It takes me a little time to settle back into my tasks once they leave. I still have to touch base with Macklin, but I can do that tomorrow. I need to finish this supply order, and then I’m calling it a night.
An hour later, after fighting a slow system from the supplier, I’m exhausted and ready to head home. It’s just after seven, and dinner was served at six, so it should be clear for me to leave without running into Copeland. At least, I hope that’s the case. Two run-ins in one day after seventeen years of nothing is enough for me.
Closing down my laptop, I leave it on my desk before grabbing my purse and phone. I’m looking around for my keys when I remember I walked here. It’s not far, but when the sun goes down, it’s chilly at night.
Reaching behind my office door for my light jacket I keep there, I find a bare hook. “Shit,” I mutter. I forgot I took it to the house to wash it. Oh, well, a little bit of cold air never hurt a girl. It’s a short distance anyway.
Turning off the light, I close up my office and start my way through the kitchen and into the dining room. Just as I hoped, it’s empty. I wave to Jack, one of our graveyard shift guys who works overnight in case the guests need anything. That’s something that I’ve changed since taking over from Dad. Being on twenty-four seven is just too much. Having night-shift staff who are also trained in maintenance duties has been a savior many times since then.