Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“How are you feeling about the road ahead?” he asks. “Do you believe her? Do you believe she was that Winston Jeffries guy?”
“Yes.” I turn. “I …” I rub my forehead. “I don’t know how it’s possible to believe her, but I was there when she found those bodies. There is no other explanation. And here’s the thing … I will follow her down any rabbit hole, no matter how deep or how dark. If I didn’t love her and trust her, I wouldn’t be marrying her.”
Chief Watts nods several times before grinning. “She’s never been in better hands.”
I don’t know about that. If I was totally honest with him, I’d tell him I’m frightened out of my fucking mind that something is going to happen to her again on my watch. She’s in this position because something happened to her on my watch.
“Daddy?” Reagan peeks her head into the room.
“Hey, Button, let me see you.”
She closes the door behind her and runs to me.
I hunch down and hug her before holding her at arm’s length. “I have never seen a more beautiful girl.”
She twirls in a circle. God, I love this girl.
“Mommy went to get me a snack.”
“A snack, huh?” I stand straight.
“Uh-huh. I’m going to see Josie now.”
“Whoa, whoa, I don’t want you running around here by yourself. It’s not safe.”
“Because of bad people?” she asks.
Isaac gives me a look. It’s the don’t-lie-to-her look.
“Yes. Unfortunately, sometimes there are bad people. Probably not here, today, but you should still be safe.”
“But I want to see her.”
“Do you know where she is?”
She nods.
“You can go see her, but I want you to stay with her until your mom comes back with your snack. Okay?”
Reagan nods, her curls and ribbons bouncing with each dramatic tip of her chin.
“Love you, Button. You look beautiful.”
“Bye, Daddy!” She blows me a kiss with fishy lips.
This is the very best day of my life. Everything has come full circle.
“Do you think you and Josie will have kids together?”
I turn toward Isaac, hiding the confusion I feel from his question. Did she not tell her family that she can’t have kids? Did she never tell her parents that she didn’t want to have kids?
“I’m not sure it’s what she wants. And I have Reagan. My life is complete. Anything else would just be extra. So … one day at a time.” I find a believable smile. I’d have a dozen babies with Josie because it would mean a dozen more pieces of Josie walking the earth, gracing my life with giggles and fishy kisses.
There’s a knock at the door.
“Everyone dressed?” Savannah asks before opening the door a crack.
“You’re not allowed to see the father of the bride before the wedding,” Isaac says.
Savannah opens the door the rest of the way. “Is that so?”
Isaac saunters toward her, wrapping his arms around her waist, hands resting on her ass. If I said I’m not having a blow job flashback, I’d be lying.
“What’s that look for?” Savannah asks me when he releases her.
I realize I’m cringing and quickly correct my expression. “Nothing. Just …”
“Cold feet? Nerves? Your bride-to-be is stunning. Just …” Savannah gets tears in her eyes. “And Reagan couldn’t look more adorable. They’re having a private moment right now.”
I nod.
“She told Josie you said she needed to stay with her because there are bad people around. I certainly hope there aren’t any here today.”
“She what? She said that to Josie?”
Savannah nods.
“W-where are they?” My stomach twists into knots. I have a feeling. A terrible feeling.
“You can’t see Josie before the wedding, silly.”
I take long strides to the door. “Where are they?”
“Colten …”
As soon as I open the door, my world explodes. That feeling comes to fruition in the form of my daughter standing before me with confusion on her face, a short bob, and her long hair banded and hanging from her fist.
I can’t fucking breathe.
Reagan holds out her shaky hand with the hair. “J-Josie said I’m safe.” She’s on the verge of tears. “And s-she said she’s j-ust a star.”
I take the hair and pull her into my arms.
“She said t-to step backwards … and I … think she said there’s a galaxy.”
“I’m sorry, Button. Your hair will grow back.” I hold her at arm’s length again like I did when she showed me her dress. “Where is Josie?”
“What’s going on?” Isaac asks.
Reagan shrugs. “Her room? I don’t know. I unzipped her dress and came to give you my hair.”
“Stay right here. Don’t move.” I kiss her forehead and take off running.
“Colten?” Savannah calls behind me.
When I throw open the door to the lounge just off the ladies’ room, an unwelcome emptiness settles into my chest. She’s not here. She’s not in the building. I feel it. Fishing my phone from my pocket, I call her.
She doesn’t answer.