Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
I was just about to knock when the door flew open, and my mother greeted us with a big smile. “What in the world?”
Dalton rushed up to her with arms wide open as he shouted, “Grangran!”
“Oh, my goodness! What are you two doing here?”
“I really need to talk to you.”
“Of course!” She picked Dalton up and started back inside as she said, “Come on in, and I’ll make us some coffee.”
“Do you have time? I know you need to get to work.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Mom turned on the TV and found one of Dalton’s favorite shows. “Work can wait.”
She let Daisy out of her kennel, and she and Dalton started playing in the living room while Mom and I headed into the kitchen. Mom started up a fresh pot of coffee as she said, “I thought you were going home last night.”
“That was the plan, but then some guy tried to run us off the road, and we ended up at the clubhouse.”
“What?”
“It’s nothing. We’re fine. It was just a little scare, but Cotton and the guys took care of it.”
“Well, it’s good you had them to turn to, I guess.”
“It was.”
She walked over and motioned for me to sit down at the table with her. “Okay. Get over here and tell me what’s going on with you.”
“It’s Malcomb.” I pulled the chair out and sat down. “He’s wanting us to move in with him.”
“Yeah, you told me about that a couple of days ago. I thought you were excited about it.”
“I thought I was, too.” I shrugged. “Now, I’m not so sure.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
“No, nothing like that. I just...” Tears started to pool in my eyes as I told her, “I’m just so confused and scared.”
“Scared of what, honey?”
“Of getting lost in him only to lose him again. I just don’t think my heart could take it if something happened.”
Mom placed her hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. “I understand why you’re scared, but you can’t live your life in fear. You have to be willing to take chances.”
“And if things don’t work out, and I get my heart ripped out again?”
“Then, you’ll handle it, but I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about that. Malcomb loves you. He’s not going anywhere.”
“I know, but…” My voice trailed off as the tears flowed freely down my face. “I just don’t know.”
Mom and I went back and forth for quite some time. We finished one cup of coffee, and we were about to have another when Mom said something to me that I would never forget:
“There are two kinds of love, Londyn. The one that burns bright and can warm you inside and out. It’s beautiful, wild, and free, but it burns hot and fast, and then it’s gone. Then there is the one that’s like a river. It changes and flows, twists and turns, but it is steady and strong. It meanders, but it always finds its way home.”
She reached over and placed her hand on mine. “Only you can tell if the love you have with Malcomb is one that burns or one that flows, but if it flows like that river, you should hold onto it because those are the hardest to find.”
“It’s been five years since we were together, and I still love him like I did back then. And I think he feels the same way about me.”
“Then, I’d say you have your answer.”
“I’m moving in with him, Mom. I’m moving in with today. Like now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” My eyes drifted to the ground as I added, “I’m sure Dad will be thrilled.”
“Your dad just wants you to be happy.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’d always thought until he broke my heart and then did nothing to help fix it.” I shrugged as I told her, “He’s my dad. I will always love him, but I’m not sure I will ever forgive him.”
“And that’s okay. You don’t have to forgive him, but I hope, in time, you will.”
“I do, too,” Dad whispered from the doorway.
“Dad,” I gasped. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
“I wasn’t. I just came back to grab my laptop. I left it here by mistake.”
I didn’t respond.
I couldn’t.
I didn’t know what to say to him.
He stepped into the kitchen, his eyes on mine as he said, “I really do hope that one day you will be able to forgive me, sweetheart. I love you so much, and I can’t bear the thought of losing you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’re not going to lose me, Dad. You did lose my trust, and I’m not sure that you will ever get it back.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying. I’ll do whatever I have to do, and not just for you and Dalton, but for your mother, too.” He walked over to me and gave me a kiss on my forehead. “I’ve got to get to work. I hope I’ll be seeing you again soon.”