Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 104237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“You’re free! I’m so jealous!” she quietly said.
Laughing, I stepped back from her. “Only a few more years, Liberty.”
“Ugh, it can’t come soon enough. The thought of being here without you makes me physically ill.”
“You have Merit, Rose, Aurora, and Katlyn! What are you talking about?”
“I know, but you’re the one who sneaks out with me to go swimming in the river.”
“Please, Katlyn sneaks out all the time to the barn to ride that horse of hers. She’d be totally game to meet you for a night swim.”
We giggled. “If Uncle Cord and Aunt Maebh find out about her nightly rides, she is in so much trouble.”
Hudson walked up to me and engulfed me in a hug. “Congrats, cousin! How’s it feel to be officially free of Oak Springs?”
I shrugged. “It doesn’t feel as great as y’all think it will. Enjoy this time and enjoy high school. It goes by quick.”
Hudson smiled. “We’re going to miss you, but you’ll be back for breaks and during the summer.”
“Yes, of course I’ll be back. I’m only a few hours away.”
Dread moved over me. I hated the idea of leaving my family. Of leaving Rip. I focused back on him and saw him smile as my aunt and uncle made their way over to me. Aunt Waylynn hugged me.
“Chloe, I just can’t believe it. It feels like it was just yesterday you were sneaking dogs home and trying to take over Aunt Harley’s vet practice.”
I laughed. “I think Rose is the one Aunt Harley needs to worry about. That girl is hell bent on becoming a vet and taking the fast track.”
Aunt Waylynn rolled her eyes. “Sounds like a Parker woman. Listen, we need to get back to the ranch, or your grandmother will have a fit. Chloe, don’t fiddle around too long.”
“I won’t. Mom and dad are waiting for me.”
“I’ll give her ride,” Rip said, walking up and kissing me on the cheek.
My insides warmed like they always did when my best friend stood next to me. “You’re coming over now?” I asked, glancing past him to his family.
“Yeah, we’re not having a graduation party until Evie can get back to town. Probably next week. Your granddaddy invited us all over.”
I smiled. Evie was Rip’s oldest sister. She was married and living in Austin.
“Awesome! Let me text my mom and let her know I’m riding home with you.”
After sending my mother a quick text, I said goodbye to my cousins and followed Rip through the small crowd that was still gathered outside of the high school.
Our ride back to the ranch was filled with talk, a lot of laughter, and a few promises that we would text or call each other every day. When we made it to Frio River Ranch, I smiled.
Home.
This place would always be home. I already knew the moment I graduated college I’d be making my way back to Oak Springs. Rip said the same thing. He was planning on working with Jonathon at his construction company, but as an engineer. He hoped to help him design the buildings for some of the bigger projects Uncle Jonathon did in Austin and San Antonio.
Rip pulled up and parked behind the plethora of trucks and cars.
“My gosh, did they invite all of Oak Springs to this party?” I asked while pushing open the truck door and sliding out. Rip was right there, waiting to help me out of the truck. That was one thing about living in a small Texas town, southern boys still had manners. Well, most of them did anyway.
As we climbed the steps to the ranch house, I turned to Rip. The excitement of today rushed back to me in one quick moment.
“We did it! Can you believe we did it?”
He laughed. “Nope. Feels like it took forever to get to this moment.”
We faced each other. Our eyes met, and for once I wanted to tell him how I felt. Rip had made it clear early on that he only felt friendship between us. He never made any attempt to take our friendship beyond that, so neither did I.
I let out a quick breath and said, “Let’s go party the Parker way!”
“Hell yeah, the only way to party!”
We made our way through the house and to the backyard. Tents were set up, much like how Grammy does it for spring fling dinner she throws each year.
My eyes scanned the crowd. My granddaddy was dancing with Grammy, and I felt my heart beat faster in my chest. I’d never seen two people so in love. Well, I had, but they were like the monarchy of the Parker family and the example of what true love really was and should be.
Then I saw my parents, looking directly into one another’s eyes as they danced. So completely in love. It gave me hope that someday I’d find a love like theirs.