Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
With determination, I put one foot in front of the other and walk out of her room and down the stairs. This doesn’t feel right at all, but it’s the best thing for her. I can’t sleep in the same room as Jane, let alone the same bed. Not until I know for sure she’ll be safe. So I go to the bedroom downstairs and force myself to lie down. I lie here for hours, forcing myself to stay where I’m at even though it’s the last thing I want. One day, I’ll be able to sleep with Jane in my arms. Hopefully.
CHAPTER 8
GRANT
“Are you sure about this?” she asks me.
After a sleepless few nights, I feel like a walking zombie, but there was no way I was going to let her down.
It’s Saturday, and I’m driving us across town to the park where the welcome home party is being held. I would love to skip this, but there’s no way I’m going to let myself. The last few days, Jane and I have tried to get into a routine. She works during the day doing medical coding from her laptop at home, so she’s been around the house. I’ve been doing odd jobs like patching up the porch, fixing some cabinets in the kitchen, and the like. Jane has done an awesome job with the house and maintained the upkeep, so there’s not a lot to do.
I yawn and shake my head. “I’m sure.”
“You’re not sleeping,” she accuses me.
We haven’t talked about the other night, and we should. She’s been really guarded since then, and it’s obvious she’s worrying about me. I told myself that I was going to be the man she needs, and right now I feel like I’m about to fall apart.
I’ve barely slept, and when I did, I’ve woken myself up from the night terrors. The longer it continues, the more ill at ease I feel about being in the same house as Jane. “I’m fine,” I lie to her.
I park in the parking lot and see all the flags and people standing around. I’m completely on edge but force a smile to my face. “Let’s go.”
I get out of the truck, and before I can get around to open Jane’s door, she’s out and meeting me at the front of the vehicle. “It’s not too late. We can turn right around.”
I grit my teeth. “I’m fine.”
We walk toward the party, and as we get closer, the applause starts. I want to turn around and leave, but I stay because I know that Jane would be mortified. I wait until the clapping stops before I start to talk. “Thank you so much for this party. It really means a lot to me that you did this. I also want to take this time to thank each and every one of you for looking after Jane while I was gone. She’s mentioned how much her friends mean to her and we both—” I reach for Jane, engulfing her hand with mine. “Well, we both really appreciate your friendship.”
There's more clapping, and then people surround us, hugging Jane and shaking my hand. Right when I think I’m about to lose it, I get to the end of the line and then walk away, hoping I can get a few seconds’ reprieve and go unnoticed.
Jane’s eyes follow me, but I smile and nod at her, hoping to let her know I’m okay.
Someone puts a beer in my hand, and I take a sip of it. Some of the men gather around me and are talking about the new mechanic shop that’s opening in town, but my eyes never leave Jane. She’s lit up as she talks to her friends, and I wasn’t lying: I really am thankful she had them when I was gone.
Everything is fine until a man in cowboy boots and hat walks up to her. He hugs her, and even from where I’m standing, I can tell her smile dims. I excuse myself from the guys I’m standing with and make my way to Jane. She jerks when I put an arm around her, but once she realizes it’s me, she melts against me. “Grant, honey, this is Raymond. He’s done some work around the house.”
There’s no hiding my surprise. “He has?” I look at the man that’s openly staring at my wife. “What kind of work did you do at the house?”
He shrugs, and even though he answers me, he keeps his eyes on Jane. “Put in a new window when the neighbor's ball went through it.”
I nod and can feel my jaw cracking as I watch the man devour my wife with his eyes. I pull her behind me and force a smile to my face. “I do appreciate everything you’ve done at the house, but now that I’m home, I’ll be taking care of anything Jane needs.”