Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
A wide smile spreads over Tish’s face. “I’ll get in touch with their lawyer and let you know when the paperwork is ready. I’m sure they’ll be open to you paying rent and starting with renovations while we wait for the sale to go through.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“I just need you to sign a couple of documents so we can get started on selling your two properties.” Tish sets an envelope down on the worn surface of the counter and pulls all the contracts out.
We fill out all the information about the two houses, and I sign everywhere there’s an X before I say, “If possible, I’d like to include the furniture currently decorating the houses in the sale.”
“I can add it, but what do you want to do if a buyer doesn’t want the furniture?”
“I’ll arrange for some charity to collect it.”
Tish jabs a thumb over her shoulder. “Let’s go take a look at the lake anyway. It’s walking distance.”
We leave the house, and as we trudge through the few inches of snow, Lick runs around, letting out a happy bark every couple of minutes.
“Well, the place has Lick’s stamp of approval,” Tish says. “Just let me know when you would like to bring your wife for a viewing.”
“It’s a surprise for her.”
Tish’s eyebrows dart up. “A three-point-five-million-dollar surprise? Wow. She’s one lucky lady.”
I shake my head as we approach a lining of trees, and I see the smooth surface of the lake through the branches. “I’m the lucky one.”
Or, at least, I was.
We stop to look at the body of half-frozen water, and Tish says, “It’s a beautiful piece of land. I hope you and your wife will find happiness here.”
Me too. But if Kelcie ends things between us, then I hope this farm will bring her all the joy I can’t.
Glancing at Tish, I ask, “Would you mind if I stayed here for an hour or so?”
“Not at all. Take your time and have a good look around.” She turns to head back to where our cars are parked. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks, Tish.”
When she walks away, I shove my hands in my coat pockets and stare at the winter wonderland around me.
I’ve never been the praying kind, but as I stand out in the cold air, I send up a prayer.
Please let Kelcie forgive me.
Kelcie
My sleep routine is so messed up. It’s already midnight, and my mind won’t come to a rest.
I can’t stop thinking about Levi. Tonight is especially bad because I keep remembering the memories he shared with me.
That family was horrible to him long before his brother destroyed my life.
Half brother.
I grip my phone tightly, my heart beating faster and faster as I think of calling him for the hundredth time.
As much as I’m upset about him keeping the truth from me, I’m also worried about how seeing his mother has affected him.
Unable to stop myself, I unlock the screen and press dial on Levi’s number. The instant the call connects, my heartbeat speeds up drastically.
Listening to the ringtone, I begin to second-guess my decision, but as my thumb moves to cut the call, Levi’s voice suddenly bursts over the line. “Hi.”
My lips part, and when the words don’t come, he asks, “Kelcie? Are you there?”
“Uh-huh.” I squeeze my eyes shut when the urge to cry hits hard.
I wish I could run into his arms right now. I need comfort so bad, and he’s the only one who can make things better.
“Hey, baby,” he murmurs, his tone gentle. “How are you holding up?”
“Not good,” I force the words over my lips. A second later, a sob sputters from me.
“I’m here.”
I curl into a small ball and keep the phone pressed to my ear as I soak in the sound of his voice.
“Want to talk to me about what happened?” he asks.
“No.” I suck in a trembling breath. “I want to know how you’re doing after seeing your mother.”
“She’s not my mother,” he says, tension creeping into his tone. “I’m doing okay. I’m more worried about you.”
I keep quiet for a few seconds before I ask, “Memory for a memory?”
He lets out a sigh. “I don’t think tonight is a good time for that.”
“Please.”
“Okay. Do you want to go first?”
“No.” I clear my throat. “You go first.”
Levi’s quiet for close to a minute before he talks again. “I would always walk home from school, whereas Wesley would take the bus. One day, he didn’t get off the bus at the stop, and when I got home thirty minutes later, Rene was hysterical. We searched everywhere for him, and eventually, the bus driver brought him home. He fell asleep in the back, and the driver only realized when he walked through the bus.” Levi takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Dennis, my stepfather, was so pissed off with Wesley, but instead of taking his anger out on his own son, he came after me. He made Wesley watch while he whipped my back with a belt. While the buckle tore up my skin, he told Wesley I’d be hurt like that every time he messed up. I was lying in a puddle of blood by the time he stopped, and when Dennis walked away, Wesley just stood there smiling at me as if he was reveling in the sight of me beaten half to death.”