Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“You need a shirt,” I say when I realize his skin is mottled from the cold. I walk to his bedroom and pull one from the closet. Turning, I bump into him.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.” Although the words are a command, they’re spoken softly.
I love you.
I help him into the shirt, resisting the urge to run my fingers across the material. “You shouldn’t get cold.”
He shakes his head. “That’s not what you were thinking about.”
I sigh and finally decide to explain to him what I can. “I like you, Crew. But when I go home, I plan to find a wealthy man and marry him.”
He gasps like I’ve slapped him. “So, that’s what it takes, huh? You need a man with a lot of money?” He gestures around the tiny cabin. “I’m not rich enough for your tastes?”
“I didn’t say that.” I answer, feeling my heart break into tiny pieces. Crew will always own me. My heart and body will belong to him. But a lot of people are depending on me. They need me to be strong.
Before he can answer, there’s a noise from my bag. It’s an old song about dancing with the one you love. It’s another reminder of things I’ll never get to do with my handsome mountain man.
“Must be your phone,” he says. “I thought the towers would still be down for another day or two. But I guess they got them working faster than normal this time.”
My eyes widen as I realize the ringtone is for the medical service that cares for my grandfather. “I have to get that. It’s about my grandfather.”
11
CREW
I watch Maggie search her purse for her phone as I try to process this. Everything I know about this woman in front of me led me to think she was different. That she wasn’t all about the bottom line.
Maggie doesn’t want a marriage built on love and trust. She wants one built on cold hard cash and trust funds. That’s why she was trying for an arranged marriage the first time.
She’s the same as my ex.
Maggie answers her phone and listens, her full lips pressed into a thin line.
At least, I figured it out before I got all the way to the altar this time. I rub a spot on my chest as if that will magically ease the ache.
“Which hospital? Yeah, I’ll be there as soon as possible,” she says before ending the call. She tucks her phone back into her bag and swipes at the tears on her face. “I need to go. My grandfather fell and I wasn’t there.”
I had plans to delay her leaving, to keep her here as long as possible. But now I’m almost glad for the phone call. Maybe once I get her gone, I can return to my life before.
Maggie
Crew doesn’t say anything as he drives his truck down the mountain. But I guess there’s nothing left to say anyway. We had a few wonderful days together, and now it’s over. My snowstorm adventure is coming to an end.
When he pulls into a spot in the hospital parking lot, I pause and turn to him. “Thank you for…all you’ve done.”
He looks away from me, like he can’t stand the sight of me any longer. A muscle works in his jaw and I hope he’ll say something. Anything.
But there’s only silence.
I swing open my door, surprised when he does the same. He follows me wordlessly into the hospital.
My best friend is there in the surgery waiting room. Iris is juggling her three kids and looking about as frazzled as I feel.
“Oh, good. You’re here.” She lets out a soft sigh and bounces her six-month-old son in her arms.
“How is he?” I ask when she’s given me a hug.
Iris glances toward Crew but thankfully she doesn’t ask any questions. “He’s good. He fell getting out of bed last night and broke his hip. The doctor had to wait to do the surgery until this morning. But they gave him the good meds and he’s been chill. He just went back so it’ll be a few more hours before they come to get you.”
“Thanks for waiting with him,” I say as the tiredness on her face finally registers with me. “Have you been here all night?”
“I knew you wouldn’t want him to be alone and besides, the boys had fun.” She nods to where her two toddlers are happily coloring at a kids’ table.
“You should go. I’ll be fine.” I give her shoulder a squeeze. “Take the boys home and get some rest.”
She eyes Crew one more time, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll come right back.”
When she leaves, I settle into the waiting room chair she vacated. I know I should probably start making phone calls, letting everyone know where I am and that I’m safe. But I don’t have the energy. I’m too worried about my grandfather.