Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 79749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
"She suggested he stay around others," I blurt rather than overthinking where my head is taking me. "I want you two to stay here. I think it's best if—"
"Okay," she answers without hesitation. "We'll stay."
I blink at her because I was certain I was going to have to list all the reasons it made sense for them to be here rather than leaving.
"You'll stay?"
She shrugs as she puts the noise-making train into the bag Caitlyn brought with her.
Hemlock walks back into the room, looking at the both of us, and I can see the war in his eyes before he speaks.
"I know this place probably isn't ideal," Hemlock says, lifting his arms to indicate the massive house. "But I want to strongly urge you to keep Eli here."
I don't know whether I should be grateful he wants the same thing as me or annoyed that he thinks he needs to step in and dictate what Aspen does with our son. Maybe I stepped out of line by assuming it would be okay to move them in here without asking, but they prepped a room for him before we even got back.
"He's safe. He'll be cared for. There are lots of folks here who can help," he continues speaking to Aspen. "Families need to stay together, and you have your own shit to work through, no offense."
"None taken," she says as she puts the last toy into the bag and stands.
She doesn't even argue with his insistence on families staying together, but I can't discount the fact that she might very well be waiting to reject that notion when we're alone.
"Thank you for letting us stay," she says. “I’ll never forget your generosity and kindness.”
I almost laugh when I see tension physically leave his body, as if he was prepared to argue with her and put his foot down if she didn't agree.
I'm grateful for this man and his willingness to fight for them.
Chapter 38
Aspen
Both men seemed to have given me a choice about staying or leaving, but I know better. The perception of a choice and actually having a choice aren't the same thing.
But, despite knowing that, I'm grateful they both offered, and I'm torn on why I want to be here so badly. Is it because I have no other choice? Because, honestly, there's still a house and property that would divert to me since Damien is dead unless he willed it to someone else after my father died.
Do I want to stay because I feel safe here or because I feel like this is where I belong?
Does he want me here because he wants to be a part of our lives or simply because he doesn't think I can be a good mother?
I don't focus too long on the latter because I'll only drive myself mad worrying about it. Plus, the only way to assure them I'm not a horrible person is to prove it to them.
Eli is kicking his legs forward and back as if he's the happiest, most well-adjusted kid in the world when we walk into the kitchen.
"What do you have there?" I ask, looking at his plate.
"Red food!" he says enthusiastically.
"Tomatoes," Zara corrects, making me wonder if people haven't been speaking to him at all.
How does he love a certain food and yet doesn't seem to know the name of it?
"Tomatoes," he says with a mouthful.
When he mentioned red food, I instantly thought strawberries or watermelon, concerned they wouldn't have either because they're out of season, but it looked like I had nothing to worry about. On the counter in front of him is a small bowl of what I imagine is every red food they have in the kitchen. It includes watermelon and strawberries, as well as a small bowl of what looks like beets, some raspberries, and even a tiny dish of ketchup.
"He isn't a fan of the beets," Cora says as she adds a handful of whole-grain crackers to his plate.
"I'm not a fan of those either," I tell her. "I do like these, though."
I pluck a cherry from another bowl and pop it in my mouth, chewing the sweet fruit around the pit.
I smile at Nolan when he hands me a napkin so I can dispose of the pit.
When I glance back at Eli, I notice him watching the two of us. I wonder if it's detrimental for him to see the two of us together after witnessing the death of the man he thought was his father. That isn't even something I spoke to Caitlyn about. I make a mental note to jot down a list of what I know has happened to Eli, even though I don't doubt the list of what I don't know that has happened to him would be much, much longer.
We spend most of the day in the kitchen, and breakfast transitions into lunch before Eli yawns. I don't know if seven is too old for a nap, but exhaustion is nipping at my heels as well, so I guide him from the room and back up the stairs.