Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
It gave me hope, and that was something I thought had died when I was torn away from him. But after the night we shared, I dared to believe that we could still have the future we always hoped for—the one that was stolen from us so many years ago.
Holt gave me a sexy smirk as he teased, “Are you complaining?”
“Nope. Not even a little.” I reached over and took hold of his collar, gently tugging him over to me. “In fact, why don’t you get back in this bed and do that thing you did with your thumb again.”
“You liked that, huh?”
“Hm-hmm.”
“Well, be good and get up, and I might do it again later tonight.”
“You’re really gonna make me get out of this bed?”
“Afraid so.”
“Okay. Okay.” I groaned with a stretch before I eased the covers back. “What do you have to show me?”
“Gonna have to get dressed to find out.”
Curiosity outweighed my need for more sleep, so I pulled myself out of bed and slipped on my pajamas. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time. I’ll wait for you in the kitchen.”
It was still a bit cool, so I slipped down to my room to change. I pulled off my pajama top, and I couldn’t help but smile when I caught a hint of his scent on my skin. It was a mix of cologne and something warm and familiar, and it filled me with a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.
I changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt before pulling my hair up. Once I was ready, I rushed to the kitchen to find Holt. When I walked in, he had a tumbler of coffee waiting for me. “Thought you might need this.”
“I definitely do.” I took it from his hand and smiled. “Thanks!”
“Come on.”
He took my free hand and led me out of the house. The door had barely closed behind us when Mable and Percy came rushing over. Holt gave them each a quick rub on the head, but that didn’t suffice. They both kept bumping up against him, begging for more. “Alright, alright.”
He stopped and gave them each some love, then promised, “I’ll feed ya in just a minute. I’ve got something to show the pretty lady first.”
To my surprise, they both settled down and walked patiently next to us as we continued towards the barn. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think they understood you.”
“’Cause they did.” He chuckled. “Any mention of food, and those two are all ears.”
“They are adorable.”
“They have their moments.”
When we reached the barn, Holt pushed the door open, and I followed as he walked past the different rows of stalls. “I’m thinking about two or three more goats and maybe a couple of cows.”
“It’s perfect.”
“Yeah, it’s got some potential. I’ve just gotta take the time to work out all the details.”
I was amused by his enthusiasm, but it was the door off to the side that caught my attention. He hesitated for a second, then pushed it open with a small, proud smile. Inside was a room bathed in natural light. The walls were clean and white, with shelves lining the walls, and there was a sturdy table in the center. It was the perfect art studio. My mouth dropped as I gasped, “Is this…”
“It is.”
I stood there completely speechless, looking around at everything he’d done. My heart swelled with emotion as I turned to him and whispered, “It’s wonderful.”
“I hoped you would like it.” He stepped closer and placed his hands on my hips, pulling me gently against him. “It’s a work in progress, but we can add whatever you need.”
It was at that moment that I realized just how well he knew me and how much he really cared. This wasn't just a room. It was a piece of my heart he'd given back to me. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”
We lingered outside the barn, and we both threw out some possible ideas to make the barn even better. We’d just started back towards the house when Holt turned to me and said, “I need to ask you about something.”
“Sounds serious.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“I need to know more about your father,” he started. “Do you know anything about his business or the people he was involved in?”
"No. I mean, I knew he was a real estate lawyer, but that’s about it.” I shrugged. “We were never all that close, and things got even worse when he sent me away. So, whatever he was into, he kept me out of it."
“That’s what I thought.” Holt nodded slowly, but his jaw tensed. "So, you don’t know anything about a code.”
“No, I can’t say that I do.” I shook my head. "Why?”
“The men who were following you think you have some information they need.”
“Well, too bad for them because I don’t know a thing. And if I had to guess, Mom doesn’t either.”