Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“She’s been to see Lindsey?” Ryan surmised.
I nodded.
“Things serious between you two?”
I smiled, thinking about our delicious morning sex and how we had finally crossed that bridge into a formal declaration of our love. “Yes, I think they are.”
26
LINDSEY
Iwas going to go to Macy’s cabin just as soon as I got dressed. I waited until Jason had kissed me goodbye before slowly going to the shower and washing off the memories of our lovemaking. It was wonderful to wake up in Jason’s arms and share the magic of the morning together. I wanted it to last forever, but I was worried what might happen when he found out about the baby. We had just barely said “I love you”—what if the pregnancy changed all that? I knew I should tell him. I knew that would be the first thing Macy would ask when I saw her later that day. And she was right. I just had to find the right time.
This crisis over Jason’s soon-to-be ex was interrupting our relationship. I wondered what he had ever seen in her and whether he saw the same thing in me? She seemed distant and out of control. She was obviously violent and dangerous. Hiding out from her made me feel like a fugitive in my own town. I trusted Jason to handle it as soon as he could, but I wondered if that would be soon enough. What if she went after Jason instead of me?
With regret, I realized that I should have told him the news that morning. In the afterglow of sex, he might have been more receptive to the news. I resolved to tell him as soon as the current situation resolved itself. As soon as the ex-wife was in jail, or at the very least had left town, I would sit down with Jason and discuss our future. If he didn’t want the baby, then we could part ways amicably.
I shuddered with the thought, hoping beyond hope that the news would make him happy. We could have such a beautiful life together, just like Macy and Dillon. We could babyproof the cabin, move all my stuff out of the second bedroom and create a nursery. With those thoughts in mind, I went to the kitchen to scrounge some breakfast.
I considered texting Macy to let her know I was coming but thought better of it. We were such good friends. I couldn’t imagine she would have a problem with my visit. Even if Macy had to work, I could spend the day keeping Nicky and the baby out of Dillon’s hair while he worked. It would be a good crash course in childcare, one that I would need seven to eight months in the future.
As I was working on my cereal, musing over nursery decorations, there was a knock at the door. Maybe Macy or Ava had come over. They were both certainly aware that I needed an extra layer of protection with Jason’s ex in town. Without considering the danger, I got up and answered the call.
As soon as I opened the door to reveal the porch and the forest outside, I realized my mistake. Instead of a friend or even one of Jason’s coworkers, the crazy lady from the grocery store stood holding a gun. I froze, releasing the door and backing up slowly. She followed me inside, her eyes on fire.
“Don’t move,” Angie swore.
“I’m not—” I began.
“Shut up!” Angie snarled. “You think you can come between me and my husband?”
I didn’t want to risk angering her further by arguing, so I held my tongue. I watched in horror as she removed one hand from the pistol and used it to shake a cell phone out of her purse. She dialed a number that she knew by heart, one that I was coming to know as well. A moment later, Jason’s voice on speakerphone broke through the cabin.
“This has to stop,” he said.
“Shut up and listen!” Angie yelled. “I’m at your cabin with your whore.”
“Lindsey?” Jason’s voice shot up an octave, the worry crystal clear.
“I’m okay!” I shouted.
“She won’t be okay for long,” Angie threatened. “I’ve got a gun, so don’t try anything.”
“Angie, if you hurt her—” Jason complained.
“Get your ass over here,” the crazy lady growled. “Or I’ll put an end to this extramarital affair you’re having.”
“It’s okay,” Jason said, his voice suddenly soothing. “You haven’t done anything that you can’t come back from. I know that it was you who trashed our cabin, but we can let that slide. Don’t make a mistake you’re going to regret.”
“I regret nothing!” Angie screamed. “Other than walking out on you. Give me a chance to prove that we were meant to be together.”
“Alright,” he lied. “I will. Just don’t hurt her.”
“If you’re not here, alone, in ten minutes, I can’t be held responsible for what I might do.” She shut the door behind her, waving the gun at me.