Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“You know Jo and I wish you all the best.”
“I know.” Jewell continued watching the faces in front of her. “Jo called me this morning. Rider, there is something I should have said to you before I left.”
“What? If it’s about me being more on time, I’ve already gotten that message from Shade.”
“No, that’s not it,” Jewell said slowly, dreading what she was about to say, but it needed to be said. She should have confronted him before she left, but it had taken her so long to rebuild Rider’s trust in her after she had broken it by showing Jo the real Rider. She had been afraid if she continued to press about Delara, she would harm their friendship for good. Rory had taught her that when you love someone, you couldn’t live your life afraid, as if the ground in front of you were quicksand.
“Rider … let her go.”
Rider’s tone changed, going from lighthearted to cold. “I’ll never let Jo—”
“I’m not talking about Jo.” Her hand shook as she held the phone at the evident anger coming across the line. This was why she hadn’t been brave enough to have this talk before she had left Treepoint six months ago. “Let Delara go.”
“Listen, Jewell, congratulations on getting married. Jo needs some help with a car, so I need—”
“I know my regret about turning Michael’s machines off influenced you where Delara is concerned. I was wrong, Rider. I was being selfish. I regretted turning those machines off, regardless of the shape Michael would be in if I hadn’t. There was no bringing him back to the life we shared, just like there’s no bringing Delara back. Jo isn’t going to wait around for you forever, despite her telling you that. Crux is getting older and, sooner or later, he’s going to know you’re choosing Delara over his mother. It’ll create a wedge between you.”
“Jewell, Jo and I are good.”
“For now … but it won’t last, Rider, not with you holding on to Delara for the wrong reasons. At least my regrets came from pure love … yours is coming from revenge. You want to make her family pay for giving her the bomb she detonated, killing your baby. You’ve been denying them the closure they needed, just like you’ve been denying it to yourself by saying you’re staying married to her because you don’t feel it’s right when she can’t understand what’s happening. Delara is not coming back, and if by some miracle she does, would you leave Jo and Crux for her?”
“No.”
“Choose someone you trust to make the decision for you. Someone completely unbiased who can make the best medical decision for her. I’m not saying stop her financial care; I’m just saying put the decision in someone else’s hands. Get out of your marriage to Delara and marry Jo.”
“Who would you have me ask?”
“Dr. Price, Viper, Greer Porter. Any of those three would do what is right.”
“Are you drunk? Dr. Price and Viper maybe … but Greer? You lost me.”
“Greer might jerk your chain—he does everyone’s—but he’ll tell you right out what he thinks. Don’t underestimate him. He uses it to his advantage. Who does he remind you of?” Jewell let a hint of sarcasm enter her voice. “If there is a glimmer of hope for Delara, Greer will tell you flat-out. If not, he’ll tell you that, too.” She dropped her sarcasm to gently ask, “Isn’t that what you’d want if what you truly want is what is best for Delara?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think about it too long, Rider. Time is getting away from us all. The four years I was gifted with Michael were gone in a flash. When Jo gets tired of waiting, she’ll be done, and you won’t be getting her back next time around.”
“I’ll talk to all three of them then decide.”
“Do that. And, Rider?”
“Yeah?”
“Still friends?”
“Yeah, we are.”
“I want you just as happy as I am. Give Crux a hug for me.”
Disconnecting the call, Jewell called the restaurant to secure the tables they needed.
She had always assumed there would be a strain if she ever met the people who had received Michael’s organs. Instead, as she walked back amongst them, there was an unbelievable feeling of peace that settled in her heart.
Agreeing to meet everyone at the restaurant, Rory and she remained on the sidewalk as they broke apart to head to their cars.
“You still not angry?”
“No. The Aldridges …” Jewell couldn’t get the words out.
“Devon received Michael’s corneas.”
“You made our wedding day perfect.”
“I wanted …” Sadness filled his eyes. He was having just as much trouble with words as she was.
Jewell managed a trembling smile, instinctively knowing what Rory had wanted. He had wanted a part of her son to be able to witness his mother’s happiness.
“You always have to outdo me on presents. I gave you a stuffed bear for Valentine’s Day, and you gave me a key to your home.”