Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Except that it is.
“I thought I was doing a good thing,” I whisper. I’m not sure which one of us I’m trying to convince. My idea was supposed to help her not be lonely anymore. She deserves her own life, a chance to find love.
“Oh, honey,” she sighs softly the way she does when she thinks I’m misunderstanding her.
She’s been alone for almost her entire life. She inherited the Wildflower Retirement Community when her dad died, and she was just in her early twenties.
Despite her grief, she threw herself fully into caring for the senior residents of Courage County and the surrounding areas. She never once complained or acted like the job was anything less than a calling that she felt deeply passionate about.
“It’s not your fault,” she repeats again as though that should settle it in my mind. All it does is make me feel more miserable. Why didn’t I do more research? How did I not know about deep fakes that are so convincing they can make it look like an entirely different person is talking to you on a video call?
It’s scary to think about what the scammer could have done. Maybe we should be grateful that all he cared about was getting access to her computer and phone to transfer the money from her accounts. Once he had that, he completely ghosted her. We’ve talked to the authorities, but everyone says the same thing. The funds are nearly impossible to trace.
“It’s little wonder people aren’t honest or good anymore,” I mutter, more to myself than Elaine. She has enough on her plate. She doesn’t need me complaining.
The look she sends me is filled with motherly affection, or at least, what I imagine motherly affection would look like. She stands from the chair and rounds her desk stacked high with paperwork. Yes, actual paperwork like this is the nineties. She’s never fully gotten on board with computer systems. Sure, we have them. But not Elaine. She still does most of her work by hand.
She drops to her knees beside my chair and puts her hands on my shoulders. “Now, you look at me. I know things are hard. There’s always been injustice in this world. There always will be. But people like you and me? We are joy and light. When things are dark, we shine even brighter. This isn’t a test about what we should do. It’s a test about who we are. And you are sunshine, beautiful golden sunshine. Don’t let this world dim you or make you forget just how special you are.”
I sniff, not feeling very much like sunshine right now. But even the sun has days when it has to hide behind the clouds. “I’m scared.”
“I know you are, but look at how brave you’re being. You didn’t even know if it would work, and you started this fundraiser. You’re trying, and that’s all you can ask of yourself. So, you hold this pretty head high and remember who you are.”
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in for a tight hug. She smells of vanilla and belonging and tired hearts that find home. “I’m going to fix this, I swear.”
“Don’t you worry about anything,” she tells me when she’s on her feet again. It’s then I notice the bag by her desk.
“Where are you going?”
She hesitates for so long that I don’t think she’s going to tell me then finally, she seems to settle on a decision. “I have some people, here and there. Connections I’ve made from traveling. A couple of them have arranged to meet with me, talk about the future of the community center. I’ll only be gone a few days.”
“You’re going to sell the center?” I gasp.
She squares her shoulders. “If that’s what it takes to save it, then yes.”
“You can’t do that! This is our home.”
“Our family’s legacy has never been this building. It’s always been the people in it. If I have to sell the building to protect and care for the people within it, then that’s what has to be done. Besides, I’ll have clauses added. You and I will stay on. I just won’t…be in charge anymore.” The way she says the last sentence guts me. She’s trying so hard to hide her heartbreak, to be strong. I swear to myself that I’m going to fix this. I’m not going to let the place go under. I will sell every single one of those cowboys at auction.
“We’ll get through this,” I reassure her.
“Damn straight, we will,” she gives me a nod even as her chin wobbles. “I’ll be gone over the weekend. Bree and Dalton will be handling everything. But you can call me if something requires my attention.”
I nod, knowing the center is in good hands with Bree and Dalton. Bree’s medical knowledge and Dalton as a handyman means no problem will be unfixable.