Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Your entire family is here.”
“Looks like it.”
“Why?”
He turns and stares at me like I’m suddenly stupid. “Because that’s what family does, Doc. They’re worried about you.”
“That’s really sweet.”
Before I can walk up the stairs, Rem picks me up and carries me up to the door, which is opened by Millie.
Her eyes are red and puffy from crying, and both Johnny and Holly flank her sides, their faces covered in worry.
“Oh, Erin,” Millie says with a sniffle. “Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine.” I feel like it’s the eightieth time I’ve said it. “Really, I am. I just have a cool shiner. I’m not sure why I’m being carried.”
“Because it makes me feel better,” Remington replies and sets me down on the couch. There are questions and worried faces, and finally, I hold my hand up and everyone stops talking.
“And because you have an owie,” Holly informs me and sits up on the couch next to me. “Daddy always carries me when I have an owie.”
“That’s very nice of him.” I kiss her brow and smile at Johnny as he watches me with concern furrowing his brow. “Everything’s okay, buddy. I look a lot worse than I feel. Honest.”
“You have a bad black eye,” he says as he steps closer, standing right in front of me. “Does it hurt?”
“A little.” I swallow hard, really wanting my own mother right now. I reach out for Johnny’s hand, wanting to comfort him. “I know you’re worried, but I’m going to be just fine.”
Johnny steps into my arms and hugs me tight. “I love you.”
“Aw, sweet boy, I love you, too.” I kiss his head and then his cheek. I glance up at Remington. “Does anyone know how far out my parents are?”
“They’re in the rental car, on the way here,” Chase replies.
“You’re kidding. That was fast.” I accept a glass of water from Joy and take a drink as Johnny sits on the other side of me. “I’ll tell you everything when they get here so I don’t have to repeat it.”
“That’s fair,” Chase says, his face grim. “I will tell you now that he’s going back to prison on the original charges, but now we’ve added kidnapping, trespassing, assault on an officer, and a whole host of other things. He’s going away for a very long time.”
“Good. That’s good.”
“There was a bad guy?” Holly asks with a tremble in her little voice, and I close my eyes. I wish with everything in me that these two babies wouldn’t have to see me like this or hear this story. I love them both so much.
“There was a bad guy, but your uncle Chase got him, and he can’t hurt me or anyone else ever again. Isn’t that awesome?”
She frowns and crawls up in my lap, snuggling against me. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too, baby.” I kiss her brow and cuddle her and then smile when Johnny takes my free hand in his. These two little loves mean the world to me.
John and Brady are pacing the room, and Joy sits across from me, her face lined in worry as she watches me with the kids.
Finally, I hear a car pull up outside, and Remington walks over to open the door.
“Where is she?” Mom demands. “Erin?”
“Everyone’s in the living room,” I hear Remington reply.
“Oh, my baby,” Mom says and breaks into a fresh bout of tears. “My girl.”
“Mama.” She folds me and Holly both into her arms, and I break down into tears again. All the fear and emotions from the past several hours just bubble up and out, and I can’t control it.
When the tears finally slow down, I glance around and find everyone watching me, including both Holly and Johnny.
“Sorry.” I wipe at the tears, sucking in a breath when I rub my hurt eye too hard. “Ouch. Okay, Chase, get your recorder ready because I’m about to spill my guts. Wait, should the kids be here for this?”
“Hey, you two, let’s go out to the barn and see if we can talk Lucky into taking us all for a ride on the horses,” Millie says.
“I want to stay,” Johnny says, shaking his head and crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’ll talk to you and Holly later, and tell you the story,” I promise, running my hand over his hair. “I promise, I will. But for now, I have to tell the adults, and I think it’s best if you and Holly go have fun, okay? I love you, buddy. It’s going to be okay.”
Johnny firms his lower lip and looks like he’s going to be stubborn, but he glances over at his little sister and reluctantly nods.
“Okay. Come on, Holly.”
Holly hugs me tight, kisses my cheek, and then joins her brother and Millie.
When I hear the front door close, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, take another sip of water, and then nod. “Okay, so I was working with Millie…”