Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
I get a sinking feeling in my gut.
Apparently, Kellen feels the same because he nervously drums his knuckles on the side window and fidgets in his seat. I want to assure him that his family and their farm are fine, but I’m not one to give false hope.
As we pass through the tiny town of Collyer, Kansas, we marvel at the fact that the brick church is the only thing left standing. Someone has tagged the brick with a spray can.
The end is here. Repent before it’s too late.
Several men step out of the church, shotguns in hand, and watch us with warning stares as we pass. We give them a respectful nod but don’t slow for a second.
The rain has long stopped, but the wind continues to blow. It’s hazy, smoke from nearby fires cloaking the white vehicle in soot. Knowing we’re able to drive through these things rather than Kellen walk them alone is relieving to say the least.
We soon turn off Old Highway 40 onto 531 that’ll take us straight south into Ransom. According to the map, we have about another thirty to forty-five minutes before we reach town.
Kellen grows more and more anxious as we drive. We left this morning before sunrise, not bothering to eat breakfast. Now, my stomach growls and I wonder if we should take a break.
“I’ll find us some food,” Kellen grunts. “Keep driving.”
He reaches into the back, rummages around, and then returns with a bag Mary sent me with. Inside are some blueberry muffins, homemade jerky strips, and some nuts. We eat as we ride in contemplative silence.
I’m nervous about meeting Knox. His family doesn’t sound as if they’re close like me and my brothers are. What if Knox rejects me? Or worse yet, what if he rejects his own brother?
A sick feeling twists my gut, making the muffins sour in my stomach.
No matter what, me and Kellen will be together. It’ll be in Ransom or Goodland or some other place. Regardless, we’ll be together.
The town of Ransom isn’t much to look at. It’s old and pretty bare save for a couple of churches, a bank, a restaurant, and a school. In a blink, we drive through the main part of town without issue and are on the outskirts. When we come to a dirt road, Kellen motions for me to pull over.
“Is this it?” I ask, gesturing at the small wooden sign with the name Bennett and the road number carved on it.
He nods and then turns a pleading look my way. “Let me go alone. In case there’s trouble.”
I snort out a laugh. “Really?”
Without answering, he climbs out of the passenger side and meets me on the driver’s side. He opens the door and reaches in to unbuckle my seat belt. Anger quells up inside me as I climb out.
“Was everything we talked about a lie?” I demand, hurt making my voice quiver.
He drops into the seat and then rests his head on the steering wheel. I stand nearby, arms crossed over my chest, waiting for an answer. My fingers twitch with the urge to rub the tension out of his shoulders, but I’m mad at him, so I refrain.
“Kellen,” I grit out. “Talk to me. You promised.”
He sits up and lets out a heavy sigh before casting me such a heartbroken expression that all anger evaporates out of me. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t a lie. I do want you with me. It’s just…”
“It’s just what?” I frown as I consider another possibility. “Are you embarrassed of me? That you’re with a man?”
He gapes at me as though I’ve slapped him. “What? No. Of course not. I’m just nervous as hell to see what’s become of my uncle’s farm. I think I’m afraid you’ll see me as some big failure.”
He sure is dense sometimes.
I close his car door and then trot around to the passenger side. I sit down and then reach across to take his hand in mine.
“We can face this—face anything,” I vow, my words fierce, “as long as we do it together. You’ll never be alone again, Kellen. Got it?”
His lips curl into a sheepish grin. “Yeah, I got it.”
My lips meet his for a quick, reassuring kiss. Then I squeeze his hand and nod toward the dirt road. “Let’s do this.”
Kellen
Once I successfully turn the dials on the combination padlock that’s never changed all these years, I unlatch the gate and then drive through, a sense of peace washing over me. Tyler was right. No matter what happens here this morning, I’ll still have him. I’ll still have our group of friends and his brothers. We have people who we can live with in Goodland. Not all hope is lost.
Uncle Mason and Aunt Beth’s farmhouse comes into view. So many fond memories came from our visits here. It was the country living part I loved without all the stressful hard work that came with living on Dad’s ranch. I’d always wished Dad would relax like Uncle Mason and live life rather than try to control its every move.