Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
How much longer will my luck hold out?
Who would’ve done it? That’s the question I keep asking myself, looking back over my shoulder, half expecting to see headlights coming up faster, ready to run me down. Who, why? I’m trembling as I walk into the house, but Mom jumps to the wrong conclusion—or maybe the right one, depending on how I look at it.
She must’ve been waiting for me and almost pounces as soon as I’m through the door. “You must be freezing, shivering like that! When will you learn to dress for the weather?” She shakes her head, pulling me into the front room where a crackling fire warms up the room. I stand close to it, holding my hands out, letting myself thaw at least on the outside. Inside, I’m frozen in fear.
“Where were you that it took you so long to get here?” She doesn’t bother waiting for an answer before she drops into a chair close to where I’m standing. “Sheriff Tanner called. Joseph Lowry is opening an investigation into Jackson’s disappearance.”
What if I threw myself into the fire? I don’t know if my whole body would fit, but I could try. I close my eyes and take a breath to put a little distance between myself and that thought. “I guess that’s what he needs to do. He’s worried.”
“He seems to think you had something to do with it.”
It hangs in the air like an accusation. “Of course, he would think that.”
“Why do you say that?” There’s a touch of panic in her voice. She must see her plans dissolving. I need to remember she’s not worried about me. Only the ranch.
“Because he was seen with me leaving the country club. I’m the only person he can accuse.”
“Accuse is a strong word.”
Even after everything, she’s making excuses for him. Not surprising. It’s all about this delusion that his money will save us. “He basically came up to me in town yesterday and made it sound like he was threatening me.”
She’s quiet for a second or two. I know better than to think the conversation is over. “And what exactly happened after you left the country club?”
By now, I know the story so well I almost believe it myself. “Jackson brought me here. All I wanted was to take a shower and pretend the whole night never happened. He drove off once I was inside the house.”
“He never told you about any plans?”
“No.” He didn’t have to tell me anything. He showed me. With his hands, his mouth, and his body when he pinned me under him. A shiver runs through me.
“What could he have gotten into?” Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as she stares at the fire. Does she believe me? She has no reason not to, right?
“To be honest with you, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got himself into trouble.” Maybe I shouldn’t say it, but I can’t suddenly be his biggest fan. Not in front of Mom, when she knew how much I didn’t want to get married. How would I handle this if I really didn’t know what happened to him?
“What kind of trouble?” She still sounds like she doesn’t believe me.
“I don’t know. I’ve already told you he’s a bully.” That was a close one. I almost used the past tense. “He was only pretending to be charming.”
“You know what wouldn’t surprise me?” Mom’s voice goes bitter. “If he took one look at the insanity Kade unleashed and decided he didn’t want to have anything to do with us.”
If that’s what she needs to tell herself. But wait, I’m supposed to be backing him up, right? Or is all of that behind us now that we’re sleeping together…if that’s even what we’re doing.
“Why would Jackson not contact his dad, though?”
She sighs before rubbing her temples and closing her eyes. “I know. I’m grasping at straws. I suppose the only thing to be grateful for is knowing he has nothing to accuse you of. He’s only wasting his time.”
Sure. We’ll go with that.
“It’s probably a big misunderstanding. Maybe he decided to go home early, got stuck somewhere, whatever. He can probably afford to go wherever he wants, whenever he wants.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” She sounds so tired. I understand the feeling.
“I’m going up. I need to shower.” I remember I left my bags in the car, but they can wait.
As soon as I’m upstairs, I pull out my phone. Kade answers my call right away. “What was so important?”
I lock my door, then lean against it. “There’s going to be an investigation.”
“Of course, there is.”
“Did you…or…was his body hidden well?”
He breathes heavily while I go to the window and look out. I don’t know why I keep expecting to see someone watching. A pair of headlights. “My people know what they’re doing. Trust me on that. It wasn’t the first time.”