Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Oh, shut up, Clark,” Uncle Jack mutters. “Take the damn suitcases to her room.”
“Trust me,” I laugh softly, “you don’t have to worry about that. I’m sure you aren’t doing anything I haven’t already seen happen.”
Clark glares at me before turning and marching up the stairs.
When he disappears, Uncle Jack places a hand on my shoulder. “Ignore that idiot. Only reason he’s living with me right now is because he doesn’t know how to stay out of trouble. Come on. Let’s go see your Aunt Minnie. She’s in the kitchen.”
I follow him down the hallway, hearing dishes moving and a sizzling noise, like something is being fried or sautéed. We step around the corner, into the kitchen, and there she is. Aunt Minnie. I remember her very well.
“Minnie,” Uncle Jack calls, and she spins around quickly, her eyes wide and just as bright as Clark’s.
“Oh! She’s here!” Aunt Minnie drops her wooden spoon and turns around completely, wiping sauce-stained hands off on her apron.
She’s still so beautiful. Brown skin, like the oatmeal muffins she used to make me for breakfast when I slept over, and bright golden-brown eyes. Her hair is still in those beautiful, wild corkscrew curls she always wore. She’s a thick woman, with full hips and a full bosom. She’s gorgeous.
The family was surprised Uncle Jack married her, but he loves her deeply. He refused to let her go and even put a ring on her finger as soon as he found out she was pregnant…or so I was told.
I wave and smile at her. “Hi, Aunt Minnie.”
“Oh—don’t you do that. Don’t you get shy around me.” She comes my way, opening her arms. “Come here.” I step into her arms, and she squeezes me tight. She’s so strong, but the hug is comforting. Welcoming, unlike her rude-as-hell son. She releases me, looking me in the face. “I swear you get more and more beautiful, the older you get.”
I laugh a little. “Thank you.”
She studies my eyes. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?”
“I’m fine, I promise. I’m alive, right? Still breathing. Daddy used to tell me that’s all that matters.”
“He sure did,” Uncle Jack chuckles. “You take after him a lot. Even when you don’t speak, you’re just like him. He was always quiet, doing more observing than action. I still don’t get how he could be so stupid around that man and let him take his life like—”
“Jack,” Aunt Minnie scolds, staring at him. He clamps his mouth shut. “Please. Not now.”
“It’s okay.” I wave a dismissive hand. “I’m just happy to be here. Thank you guys so much for taking me in.”
“Of course, sweetie. We are glad to have you here, and you’ll always be safe—”
“OH. MY. GOSH!” A high-pitched voice chimes from behind me, and I turn to look back, spotting a familiar girl.
Her green eyes are locked on me, her mouth parted, like she can’t believe what she’s seeing. Her hair is just as dark as Clark’s, straight and pressed, touching the middle of her arm. She’s wearing a coat, gloves, and boots, like she’s just come from outside.
“Oh, Jen,” Uncle Jack exclaims. “I was wondering where you were. Gia’s arrived.”
“I was chopping wood for the fire.” She’s still staring at me as she speaks, shrugging out of her coat and snatching off her gloves.
It’s completely unexpected and catches me way off guard when she rushes my way after placing her coat on the back of a chair, throwing her arms around me and squeezing me tight.
For a moment I tense up, ready to shove her away, but I remember I’m safe.
They’re family.
They won’t hurt me…I don’t think.
“You are still so pretty!” she says, and I’m assuming she’s Jen, their daughter. “I still have a picture of us in my room. When we were like twelve, I think. When I had that sleepover. Do you remember?” She pulls back, grinning, looking me all over. She smooths my hair back and then holds my face. “You don’t look like you were harmed.” She looks down at my hands, and then her brows dip.
She grabs my arms, bringing them up and studying my wrists. “What happened here?”
“Happened when I was taken,” I tell her.
“What did he do?” she asks with way too much sympathy in her voice. I almost want to cry, but I keep it together.
“What he had to do,” I murmur.
“Well,” she sighs, dropping my arms. “You don’t have to be worried anymore. My dad has guards who live only a house away—not that anyone will do anything around here, but still. You are safe here. We’ll protect you.”
I force a smile at her. “I appreciate that.”
“Jen, why don’t you go show Gia to her room. Get her settled in, while your mother finishes up dinner,” Uncle Jack suggests.
Jen nods eagerly, stepping back. “Sure. Come on, Gia.”