Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“There’s no use trying to talk to him,” I sigh as we walk to the car where Tyler, Ryan, and Noah are waiting. We left Eddie with Lainey.
I lift my hand and place it on my forehead as I glance back at the house. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Can I give some advice?” Easton asks. When I nod, he says, “He can’t live here alone. He’s clearly not getting enough to eat, and the place is filthy. I think we should put him in assisted living.”
“He’s going to lose his shit,” I mutter.
“What else do we do, Nova? We can’t just leave him like this. What if the deputy comes to check on him, and he decides to grab his shotgun?”
“I know.” My teeth worry my bottom lip.
Just then, a sheriff’s car comes up the dirt road, and we walk toward it.
Recognizing Deputy Stone, I wait for him to get out of his vehicle before I say, “Hi, Deputy. I’m so sorry about this.”
His eyes lock on Easton, then shock ripples over his face, and he stares at him, completely awestruck. “Holy shit. Easton Rowe, as I live and breathe.”
“Hi.” Easton walks toward the deputy and shakes his hand. “I’m Nova’s partner. We talked on the phone earlier.”
“I had no idea. Hot damn.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “I never thought we’d see you in these parts again.” The deputy looks like he’s a second away from asking for an autograph. “Everyone in town is so proud that you’ve made such a big name for yourself in Hollywood.”
“Thank you,” Easton replies.
I step forward to break up the ‘fanboy’ moment. “About my grandfather. He’s threatening to use his shotgun, so we can’t go inside.”
“I should’ve taken the weapon when I dropped Bill off.” Deputy Stone shakes his head. “He can’t live like this, Nova. He’s dangerous with that shotgun.”
“I know.” I look at Easton. “Maybe it will be best if we put him in assisted living.”
“There’s a nice place on Oak Drive,” the deputy informs us. “But it’s going to cost money Bill doesn’t have.”
“Don’t worry about the money,” Easton mutters.
I give the man I love a thankful look, then ask, “What do we do with him tonight?”
The deputy shrugs. “Leave him here until you’ve made arrangements for the folks from assisted living to come get him. I’ll make sure I’m here so Bill doesn’t shoot any of them.”
“Yeah, I guess we have no choice. Thank you for all your help.”
“Before you leave,” Deputy Stone says as he takes a notepad and pen from his breast pocket. “I have to get an autograph for my son. If you don’t mind?”
“Sure.” Easton scribbles a short message on the paper before signing it.
“Thank you so much.” Deputy Stone walks back to the driver’s side of his patrol car, then pauses to say, “My condolences about Rachel. I read about her death in the newspaper.”
Hearing her name makes my heart clench with sorrow. Easton just nods.
“You have a nice stay in Verona. I’ll stop by tomorrow morning to check on Bill,” the deputy says before climbing into the patrol car.
“Thank you.” I look at the house again, and it’s to see my grandfather peeking through the curtains with his shotgun in his hand.
Stubborn old man.
“Let’s go,” Easton says.
“We wasted time coming here today,” I mutter as I head to the car. “I’m sorry. You should be at home resting and not out here dealing with my crap.”
“Stop apologizing.” Easton waits for me to climb into the back seat before he slides in beside me. He takes my hand and rests it on his thigh. “We’re a family, Nova, which means we deal with shit together. Okay?”
I lean my head against his shoulder. “Thank you.” I glance at the house as we’re driven away and let out a sigh. “I’ve forgotten how far the house is from town. That was quite a walk for someone his age.”
“And he survived it, so don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine on his own for one more night.”
“I don’t know why I worry,” I mutter. “It’s not like he ever cared about me.”
Easton lifts his arm and wraps it around my shoulder. “Should we drive to Madison for the night?”
“We can go to Sugar River Inn? I know the owner. She’s really nice.” I give him an apologetic look. “It’s close by, and we can get everything taken care of first thing tomorrow morning. I want to go home as soon as possible. I don’t like leaving Lainey for longer than absolutely necessary.”
“Sugar River Inn it is, then.”
I give Tyler the directions, and when he pulls up to the inn, which has a charming feel to it, my stomach grumbles.
“What are we going to do about food?” Easton asks.
“I can run to the diner and grab us something to eat,” I say. “But let’s first check with Maggie whether she has a room for us.”