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 court case has been opened against Colby, but God only knows what will happen there. Honestly, I have zero interest in the matter.
The only thing missing from my life is Kelcie, and I haven’t heard anything from her since she called two weeks ago. Every passing day, it gets harder not to reach out to her, but she asked for space, and I have no choice but to give it to her.
I pat my thigh for Lick to follow as I leave the house and lock up behind me.
We head to the truck I bought two weeks ago, because the sedan couldn’t handle the dirt road anymore. The snow is coming down hard, and I hurry to get Lick into the cab before I climb behind the steering wheel.
Lick shakes her body to get rid of the snowflakes and curls up on the seat while I start the engine and carefully steer the truck toward the road.
Midway to Paoli, where the motel is, my phone starts beeping like crazy. I dig the device out of my pocket, thinking the messages are from Tish.
Seeing Kelcie’s name, I’m so surprised, I almost steer the truck off the road. I quickly pull over and put on my hazards before opening the message and devouring the words, then my fingers move as fast as possible as I type out a reply.
Levi: It’s so good to hear from you. Let me know when works for you. I can come over, or we can meet somewhere.
Guiding the truck back onto the road, a smile spreads over my face while I check my voice messages.
‘Hi. It’s Kelcie. Um . . . can you give me a call when you get this message? Ahh . . . thanks.’
Jesus, hearing her voice is everything, and it has my smile widening as the next message begins to play.
‘Levi, it’s me again. I don’t know if you’ll get this message, but if you do, please . . . please call me back.’ The panic in Kelcie’s voice has me frowning, then her breathing speeds up, a clear indication that she’s having a panic attack. ‘Don’t . . . just . . .’
“Fuck!”
When she begins to sob, I floor the gas and head for Verona. I exit my voice messages and quickly press dial on her number, then impatiently listen as the call connects.
“Levi!” Kelcie’s gasp comes over the line.
“Are you okay?” I ask, worry for her making my voice deeper than usual.
“Thank God you got my messages.”
“Are you okay?” I repeat my question.
“Yes. Sorry for rambling on your voicemail.”
While relief pours through me, I say, “It sounded like you were having a panic attack.”
It’s so good to talk to her.
“I did, but I took my medication, so I’m okay.” She pauses for a few seconds, then her tone sounds apprehensive as she asks, “How are you?”
“I’ll be fine when I see you. I’m on my way to your place. Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
The smile returns to my face, and I suck in deep breaths of air.
“So I’ll see you soon?” she asks.
I check where I am, then reply, “I’m five minutes away.”
“Okay. I’m going to hang up.”
She ends the call, and I drop the phone on my lap while grinning at Lick. “We’re going to see your mom soon.”
Her ears flick, and her head perks up as if she understands what I’m saying.
When I pull up Kelcie’s driveway, I can’t switch off the engine fast enough, and I hurry to climb out of the truck. Lick jumps out, and I slam the door shut.
The front door opens, and the sound has my eyes darting to where Kelcie is standing in the light spilling from the living room behind her.
It feels like my soul manages to finally take a deep breath after drowning for the past three weeks.
As I close the distance between us, Lick runs ahead and jumps up against Kelcie. She gives my dog pets before looking at me again, a nervous smile tugging at her mouth.
My eyes roam over every beautiful inch of her, and unable to stop myself, I grab her into a tight hug against my chest.
“Jesus,” I groan, and my body shudders from the indescribable feeling of finally getting to hold her again.
Totally overwhelmed by the emotions filling me, I press kisses to her hair and take deep breaths of her flowery scent.
Kelcie’s arms wrap around me, and I feel her grip hold of my sweater. Her breathing hitches, and then she hides her face in my chest.
“I missed you so much,” I murmur, my tone raspy. “Fuck, I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she admits before pulling away. “Come inside.”
After I step into the house, she shuts the door behind me. Our eyes meet, and I search for any signs that she’s not doing okay.
I can’t get a read on her emotions, and ask, “You wanted to talk?”