Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
That shit killed me.
And it's precisely why I went to see Memphis today. I want this shit over with so I can tell Mac that she's mine. I want him to know that I can be a man worthy of her. And part of being that man means proving to her father that I can protect her. It means giving her what she needs. And right now, she needs her twin home with her.
I'll figure out the rest once I've accomplished that.
I step into my office, only to rock back on my heels when I realize that Isla and Daniel aren't alone. My mother is seated beside Isla, looking frail and worn, but happier than she's looked in longer than I can remember. She's got Isla's hand clutched in hers, their heads bent together.
I stand in the doorway for a long moment, just watching them. My mother is telling her…God only knows what. Probably something fucking embarrassing. But Isla listens intently, giving my mother her undivided attention.
Daniel stands off to the side, quietly observing.
He notices me first and quietly makes his way over to me. "She showed up about an hour ago," he murmurs, speaking quietly to keep from interrupting them. "I offered to call you, but once she realized Isla was here, she insisted I keep my mouth shut and let her wait."
"I bet she did," I say, eyes narrowed on my mother. She may be frail, but she's as stubborn as ever. It'll take more than a damn heart condition to rein her in now that she knows about Isla. Shit. I doubt anything will do that now.
I'm not mad about it. It's…good seeing her and Isla together. Real fucking good, actually. They both look happy as clams. It's been too long since Ma had that look on her face.
"Isla was upset about something when she got here," Daniel warns me.
I jerk my chin in a nod, grateful for the warning. And then I step forward, clearing my throat.
My mother and Isla spring apart, looking at me with matching guilty looks on their faces. It's fucking cute.
"Brantley! There you are," Ma cries.
I lean down, kissing her cheek. "What are you doing here, Ma?"
"Can't I come to visit my son?" she asks, all innocence. As if I'm buying that. I bet she stopped by just hoping to accidentally bump into Isla.
"You know you aren't supposed to be driving, Ma."
"Who says I drove?" she sniffs at me.
"Did you?"
"Maybe."
I grin, shaking my head. "You just couldn't wait to meet her, could you?"
"Well, she wouldn't have to wait if you'd have taken me to visit her already, Brantley," Isla says, jumping to her defense. "It's your own fault, really. You can't tell your mom that you met someone, and that you'll bring them over, and then not follow through immediately. That's just rude."
"Oh, so now I'm rude, huh?"
"Yes," Ma says. "Incredibly rude."
Isla bobs her head in agreement.
"Jesus Christ." I shake my head, laughing at the severe looks on their faces. "So, now you're both going to gang up on me and give me shit, aren't you?"
They exchange a glance and then nod at the same time.
I laugh again. "Of course you are."
"Someone needs to do it, Brantley Eugene," Ma sniffs. "You spend too much time worried about everyone else and not nearly enough time worried about yourself. Isla can help keep your priorities straight."
"My priorities are straight, Ma."
She sniffs at me again, holding out her hand to Isla. "Help me up, will you? I need to be getting home."
And part of me fucking hates that she asks Isla instead of me because she knows what being touched is like for me. But my girl immediately jumps to her feet, helping my mother to hers. And I push the guilt away, forcing myself to smile.
"Oh, so now that I'm here, you've got to run," I tease. "I see how it is."
"I've known your moody ass your whole life, dear. She's far more interesting than you are."
I growl at her, shaking my head. Christ, I love the hell out of her. Despite everything, my father never could kill her spirit. As hard as he tried, he couldn't break her. She's always been too goddamn strong for that.
Isla wraps her arms around my mom, hugging her. "I'll come visit you soon," she promises, mischief in her eyes when she glances at me. "I might even bring your son with me."
My mother laughs, squeezing her tight. "You're precious, Isla Sterling. If he doesn't do right by you, I'll never speak to him again."
"He does plenty right, Ms. Maureen."
My mother kisses her on the cheek and then grabs her cane and steps toward me. "Take me out to that fine cowboy of yours so he can walk me to my car, Brant."
"Yes, ma'am," I mutter, shaking my head. "I'll be right back, little bird."