Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
My heart aches at the sight of them. After three days, it feels like they’ve grown so much. I hold out my arms, content when they both climb into my lap and start chatting about all of the fun things they did with grandma this weekend.
For just a second, I let myself wonder what it would be like if Flint were here too. But I instantly dismiss the thought, reminding myself of my promise. Besides, I've worked too hard and too long to create this peaceful life for the four of us. I'm not going to throw that away just because a man that I'll probably never see again gave me the best sex of my life.
As soon as I think the thought, I know it's not true. It was more than just sex. There was a connection between us, an intimacy and budding trust. Something that if I were in another season of my life, I might want to nurture and let grow.
But I'm needed here, so I’m not going to allow myself a luxury like that. Instead, I focus on the boys and listening to all of their tales from the last three days.
Brock finishes his story with, “I stomped him. I stomped the spider that scared grandma. And I used my outside voice to say yippee-ki-yea, motherfucker.”
I send a glare to grandma, already knowing exactly where that came from. Sylvester might be the love of her life, but any action movie with a hot guy in the lead will make her happy. “That’s not a phrase we use.”
“Boys!” Grandma gasps. “What did I tell you about language like that?”
Branson takes a bite of his cereal, spewing the food as he says, “You said mama doesn’t have to know everything.”
“Because some secrets are the good ones,” Brock adds.
Grandma has the decency to give me a sheepish look. “I thought they were asleep.”
“Nuh-uh, you said we could watch if we were quiet and didn’t tell.”
She blows out a frustrated breath. “See if I let you guys ever watch the fun movies again.”
“I think we’ve all learned a lot,” I say and clap my hands together. “Now, let’s get our day started. Lots of deliveries to do.”
Grandma waits until the boys have left the room in search of their shoes to ask me, “When does the new job start?”
“Not for about a month. Do you have enough medication to last?” I ask because money has been a little tight, but I don’t want her skipping things she needs. As it is, her pension barely takes care of her. Add rising medication costs with brutal rent hikes, and it’s nearly impossible for her to keep up with her bills. It’s one more reason I’m glad we live together, and she’s not like some of her friends who are having to consider assisted living facilities.
“I’ll be fine,” she says without complaint, and I make a mental note to get her a three-month supply the next time I can afford it. Maybe if I pick up an extra shift stocking groceries that will smooth out her finances for a week or two. Just until I can get that new job started and have steady money flowing in for both of us.
“Well, four weeks then things will get better,” I quickly reassure her. “I haven’t had a chance to even mention it to Mira yet though I think she’ll love it. She’s been spending time between the ranch and her townhouse.”
The truth is, I’ve barely talked to Mira over the past month, and I miss my friend like crazy. But she got married, and things have been different. I knew they would be, but it still hurts.
“She seems taken with that cowboy of hers,” grandma says.
“I think he’s good to her.” I start the dishwasher just as the boys come back into the room. I usher them through our usual routine, packing a cooler with snacks and a bag with activities they can do in the backseat. Then I’m picking up groceries from local stores and delivering them to shoppers who have ordered through an app.
It doesn't always pay well, but it's enough to keep the lights on. That's all I need to do until my new job starts. I'm grateful that I had the foresight to have a bit of savings before I lost my job. It's what's allowed us to keep going, and it’s the only reason I’m able to keep helping my grandmother.
As soon as I start working at the ranch, I'll begin rebuilding my emergency fund.
Maybe I'll get to see Flint too. I dismiss the thought instantly. It doesn't matter if Flint is at Valor Ranch. I probably won't even see him that frequently. The ranch is over thirty acres, and it takes dozens of men to run it. If anything, we'll bump into each other every now and again.