Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I don’t know what it was—the look in his eyes or the tone of his voice, but I believed him, and it was impossible not to feel grateful for all he was doing for me. I leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “You’re pretty great. You know that?”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
Billy was just being kind, but the way he spoke to me—the way he looked at me and encouraged me, lifted me up in ways I couldn’t describe. He had a way of making me feel more confident—like I was worth his time, and it meant more to me than he’d ever know.
BILLY
After we finished eating, Everleigh headed back over to the creek and started wading around in the water. She looked so beautiful, so young and innocent, dancing around in that creek. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I might’ve been a little jealous of the fact that she seemed so carefree as if she didn’t have a single worry or an ounce of trouble weighing on her, but I knew better.
She was just as worried as I was about DeLuca and what he might do next, but our little outing had given her a much-needed reprieve from the all-consuming dread we’d both been feeling. It was the reason I’d suggested it. I knew she was terrified, and rightly so. Now that he knew she was alive, Antonio wouldn’t stop until he found her, so he could finish the job he’d started the night he’d shot her.
But I was going to do everything in my power to make sure that didn’t happen.
I was thinking of all the ways I’d like to wipe DeLuca from the face of the earth when I heard Everleigh ask, “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?”
“Are there any parameters that I need to be aware of, or are you talking about any place on Earth?”
“I wasn’t thinking I’d need parameters,” she scoffed. “I was just asking if there was a place you’d like to travel to sometime. You know, like Switzerland or Greece.”
“Well, when you put it like that... I’ve always wanted to go to the cliffs of Moher in Ireland.”
“Oh, that’s a good one. I’ve always wanted to see the Dublin castle.”
“Maybe we could go there sometime.”
“I’d like that.” She splashed the water with her toes, then suggested, “Maybe we could start with something simple like dinner and a movie first.”
“Yeah, I think we could manage that.” I started gathering all the food and our drinks as I told her, “For now, how ‘bout we continue with our ride around the lake.”
“I’d like that.”
Everleigh slipped on her shoes, then helped me put everything back in the truck. Seconds later, we were both back in the truck and making our way around the lake. She thought we were just taking a causal scenic drive, but it was much more than that. It was my opportunity to check our surroundings and make sure there were no unexpected guests. Thankfully, the only thing I saw was a few deer and some ominous clouds rolling in.
I didn’t want us to get caught out in a storm, so I decided to head back. By the time we got to the cabin, the clouds had grown even darker, and the wind was starting to pick up. Everleigh sounded a little nervous as she said, “It looks like we’re in for another storm.”
“Yeah, we better get inside before the bottom falls out.”
I grabbed the stuff from the backseat, then we both raced up to the front porch. I unlocked the door, and we’d just started inside when the clouds broke and rain came pouring down. A loud rumble of thunder had Everleigh bolting into the living room with a shriek. “Wow, this storm isn’t messing around!”
“No, it isn’t.” I carried the cooler into the kitchen and started unpacking it as I told her, “I’ll light a few candles in case the power goes out.”
“I can do it. Just need to know where I can find a lighter.”
“There should be one in the utility drawer.” I motioned my hand toward the end of the counter. “Pretty sure the candles are in the storage closet down the hall.”
“Got it.”
I finished unloading the cooler and put everything away while Everleigh took care of the candles. The thunder continued to rumble and roar as she placed them throughout the cabin, and just as I feared, it wasn’t long before the power went out and we were both encased in darkness. With the light of a candle illuminating her face, Everleigh smiled and said, “Just in time.”
“Yep, you did good.”
I thought she would go over and make a spot on the sofa.
She didn’t.
Instead, she simply stood there staring at me with a look of wonder in her eyes. It was the kind of look dreams were made of, and it stirred something inside of me. I felt more alive than I had in years. I held her gaze for a moment, then shook my head and asked, “How do you do that?”