Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
The children were completely convinced Reed would be their only hope. But their eager little faces became increasingly dejected and disappointed when Reed told them he couldn’t play this weekend, but promised to make it up to them the following Saturday. By the looks Reed received now while driving through the game, he assumed they were correct in their assumptions about this game and were losing badly.
Continuing to drive slowly down the tree lined street, Reed brought his eyes up to the rearview mirror every few seconds, watching Trevor much as he’d done the entire ride from the airport. He stayed quieter than normal, staring out the passenger side window. Trevor’s face was masked, showing very little emotion. Reed wished he knew what might be going on inside that handsome head. He prayed it didn’t have anything to do with second thoughts. Perhaps thinking back on it now, Reed never really gave Trevor an opportunity to say no, or digest what might be happening to him. Reed desperately hoped Trevor’s quiet demeanor wasn’t due to regretting his decision to come home with him.
Making an exaggerated wide right turn, Reed navigated the massive SUV into his driveway. Pulling forward up the long drive, he came to a stop at the sidewalk leading to his front door, and lifted the gear shift into park. He didn’t move from the seat right away. Instead, he looked out the front window, scanning the construction crew in his yard. Several men of various ages and races were in their blue jeans and tool belts, just finishing the ramp leading to the front door. The crew looked to be in the cleanup stage, loading their equipment in the back of a couple of pick-up trucks, sitting out along the street, preparing to leave. The projects this construction crew were hired to do today cost a small fortune, but they were good to their word. Not a petal of the landscaping looked harmed or out of place in the process of building the outside ramp. Reed hoped the inside looked as good.
His mother, Olivia, stepped out the front door, dressed in her tailor made business suit. She walked down the wrap around front porch and he could hear her high heels clicking on the wood as she made her way toward them. She waved with a big smile on her face. Reed grinned back at her and pulled himself from the SUV. Opening the passenger side door, he stuck his head in, whispering quietly.
“I couldn’t hold her off, I hope you don’t mind. Mom’s been here for hours trying to help get everything ready for your arrival. Dad could barely keep her from coming to Germany.” Reed didn’t wait for Trevor to answer, but disappeared only to arrive back in just a moment with the wheelchair from the back hatch. Trevor’s unload was a little more tricky, having to pull him forward from the back seat. No matter how he tried, he just wasn’t able to get a good grip to help Trevor out without causing him discomfort. Slowly, they worked him out of the truck. Reed’s mother stopped at the bottom of the ramp, watching them closely, with her hand shading her eyes from the bright May sun. Once settled in the chair, Reed came to the front, leaning in to look directly at Trevor to assess his pain level. Only the smallest of ticks in Trevor’s tightly clenched jaw indicated there might be discomfort.
“I think future trips should be with me riding in the front,” Trevor finally said, adjusting himself in the chair.
“The hospital advised that to be a rather bad idea. If we were to be involved in an accident, you could be further injured. We can’t have that, now can we, handsome?” Reed said while locking all the pieces of the chair in place, then going to the back of the chair and pushing Trevor up the walkway to his waiting mother.
“Yeah, I’m not sure a car accident’s possible, Reed. You drive like you’re ninety. I think if you’re the driver, we’re safe from any future injuries there, Grandpa.” Trevor smiled as he spoke, finally chuckling, looking up over his shoulder, giving Reed a wink and a clever grin.
“Say what you will, but I think the backseat is the safest place for you, handsome. Regardless of what that wink does to the pitter patter of my heart.” Reed looked down at Trevor’s smiling face and checked the urge to run his fingertips along his jaw and cheek. He knew Trevor would be uncomfortable with the PDA in front of his mother. Instead, Reed just returned the smile with his own cocky grin.
“Mom even cooked for you. I can’t remember her ever cooking for me. I think that definitely means she likes you better than me,” Reed said loudly, ensuring his mom would hear.
“Reed Kensington, you know that’s not true. I cooked you a special grilled cheese sandwich when you came home from camp with a broken leg when you were twelve years old. I can’t believe you don’t remember me slaving over the stove for you. How very ungrateful of you, young man. I taught you better than that!” Olivia remarked in her Southern accent, her high heels again clicking on the concrete as she walked quickly toward them.
“Oh, Trevor, I’m so glad you’re home,” Olivia said, bending down to take Trevor in a careful hug. He lifted his right arm and hugged her tightly back. “You scared me to death, son. Please don’t ever do that again.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused.” Trevor held her a minute longer while she kissed his cheek. Before she rose, she used her thumb to wipe away the pink lipstick left behind. Tears swam in her eyes.
“Trevor, honey, you’re no trouble at all. I’m so proud of you. Rylie said you saved dozens of women and children. I’ve been watching the news about it all, talking to Reed and Rylie when they called. Everyone is calling you a hero. Of course, they aren’t saying your name, but I know who they’re talking about. I’m so proud of you. You were brave and selfless and very fearless.” Olivia began to run her fingers through Trevor’s short military cut and then along his shoulder. Emotion played across her face while she tried to keep herself together. Finally, she reached down to kiss his cheek again. This time she left the evidence behind on Trevor’s cheek.