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)
“Maybe.” She takes a shuddering breath. “But it’s going to take more than a bake sale and some blueberry pies to fix this mess.”
“You’re right. It’d take a hell of a lot of work, but it’s still possible. What if you did a series of fundraisers? Different places around Courage County would be happy to help. If everyone pitches in, we can save the retirement community.”
She thinks for a minute. “Where would we even start?”
An idea hits me, and I know instantly it’s the right one. “Start with my place.”
“Valor Ranch?” she asks, surprise evident in her voice.
Valor Ranch is the place I started when I came back from my time overseas. I’d had it going for about a year, and Vale was supposed to be on his way out of the service. He just had one more mission. One last mission then he’d be home with me.
The plan was to build the place out, make it a home for guys who were struggling to adjust to civilian life again. It was Vale’s dream, except that he never got to see it. Never got to set foot on the land he’d helped purchase. He’d like this idea of helping his sister and aunt in this way.
I nod. “Yeah, do a fundraiser. We have chickens, horses and cows. All sorts of other farm animals too. So, why not put it online? Maybe sell it as a petting zoo experience. Just for a few days, people can come and pet the animals or go on horseback rides or have picnics. You could sell cheap tickets. Me and the guys could get together, offer some refreshments or guided tours. We’d do whatever we could to help you out.”
She nibbles on her bottom lip in a way that I find intoxicating. I want to lean over and run my thumb across that plump bottom lip. Then I want to kiss it until all of her worries are gone. Nope, can’t be focusing on how good her lips would taste right now.
“It’s worth a try. Just think about it for now,” I tell her.
She fights a yawn, looking so exhausted that I’m mad at myself for not stomping over here weeks ago to demand to know what was happening. I’ve known for a while something was going on, but I kept thinking that she’d tell me if she needed help. But she’s so independent and strong that it probably never occurred to her to ask for my help.
“Try to get some sleep for a few hours,” I tell her, turning my attention back to the wall and leaky pipe. The water has stopped thanks to the shut off valve, and we’ve gotten most of the wet drywall out of the way. Now, I just have to saw through pipes, clamp them and get the water turned back on. Not a bad way to keep my hands busy when I’m around Lauren.
“But you’re still working,” she protests.
“Take your pillows and your blankets. Bunk on the couch,” I insist. “Problems like the retirement center rarely get solved at three in the morning.”
She finally surrenders to the yawn. She stands on shaky legs, pausing to put her weight on my shoulder as she does. I barely breathe, content just to feel her leaning on me. When she straightens, I feel a chill all over from the loss of her touching me.
She grabs her pillows and blankets, trudging out of the room without a word. Her couch creaks and groans as she settles. But by the time I’ve started working on the pipes, I can hear the soft sound of her snores.
“You should be here, buddy,” I say into the silence, talking aloud to Vale, like I sometimes do. She’s convinced he’s gone. But I swear there are moments when I feel his presence so strongly, as if he were standing right beside me. That’s when I tend to talk to him.
Maybe it’s his presence. Maybe it’s his ghost. I don’t know. All I know is I’d trade places with him in a heartbeat if it meant bringing a smile back to Lauren’s sweet face.
She’s been through so much. She’s already lost a lot of people. It’s unfair that her brother was taken from her when I’m still here. No one would miss me if I’d been the one on the final mission.
By the time her phone rings a few hours later, signaling that it’s time for her to wake up and get ready for work, I’ve already finished in her bedroom. I got a gator bite to hold the piece until I can come back and complete it later. I’ll get to that today, after I do some chores at the farm.
Lauren smashes her phone, silencing the alarm with a soft groan. She sits up slowly and drops the now quiet device back on the antique coffee table with a huff.