Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Jack heads to the bedroom. He returns with a thick envelope that he drops unceremoniously on the kitchen table.
“What’s that?” I ask as a chill slips down my spine.
His jaw sets. “Everything my father owns is now in our name.”
“What?”
He just looks at me.
“Jack. What the hell?”
“Said it would be ours anyway. It’ll make it easier when he dies.”
My mouth hangs open as tears lick the corners of my eyes. Oh, Harvey.
“His headspace is fucked up, Lo. He took a turn somewhere, and I didn’t notice. I’m kicking myself in the ass for not picking up on it sooner.”
“No, Jack. Don’t do this to yourself.”
I push the envelope away and wrap my husband in my arms. He pulls me into his chest and presses a kiss to the top of my head.
My heart breaks for Jack—and for Harvey. It’s one of the things I’m eternally grateful for. I never had to see my parents suffer. But it also isn’t going to be easy to watch the old man who took me in as his own suffer—not to mention his son, the man I love with my whole entire heart.
It might break me too.
“He probably just needed some space,” I say, pulling away and wiping my eyes. “You needed a bit of time today, right?”
Jack nods.
“Your dad probably did too. I can only imagine how painful it was for him to admit he’s a mere mortal like the rest of us.”
A smile flirts against Jack’s lips.
“We’ll find him,” I say. “He’s probably sitting somewhere with a bucket of berries and a bacon sandwich.”
Michael, Maddie, and Ava come inside.
“That didn’t take long,” I say.
“My grandmother called and talked to Mike,” Ava says, holding on to my son’s arm. “We hurried over on the golf cart. We met Maddie halfway.”
“Dad—where’s Pops?” Michael asks, his eyes wide.
“Not sure.”
“It’s gonna storm. The dark clouds are rolling in again.”
Jack peeks out the window. “Shit.”
“If he was going to find blackberries, he’s probably either gone out by Asher Cave or Old Bear Cave,” Maddie says. “He mentioned those yesterday.”
“We should check the boathouse,” Ava offers. “Even if he’s not there, they may have seen or heard something.”
I smile at her. “That’s a good idea.”
Michael places a hand on Jack’s back. “What do you need, Dad? I got you.”
Jack forces a swallow as he looks at our son. He pulls him into a hug that takes Michael by surprise. The whole scene does nothing for my emotional stability.
My heart.
I grab a tissue box from the top of the refrigerator and pull a few tissues out to dry my eyes.
Jack pulls back. “Okay, here’s what we need to do. Michael, can you take Maddie and Ava with you? Make sure the boat is still at the boathouse. Ava—good call.”
She grins.
“If the boat is gone, take ours and look for him. Tell the boathouse to call me if he turns up. Check all the peninsulas and inlets where he likes to fish. Okay?”
Michael nods. “Got it.”
“If he’s not there,” Jack says, his voice more confident, “head to Asher Cave. If not there, try Old Bear Cave. Maddie is right—those are two of his favorite haunts. But remember—check all the service roads and parking lots for his truck. Hopefully, he’s in it and didn’t let anyone borrow it today.”
“Got it, Daddy,” Maddie says.
“Stay together,” Jack says. “If you don’t have any luck in an hour, come back here, and we’ll regroup, okay?”
They nod.
Jack looks at me. “Your mom and I are going to head out by the iron furnaces, and we’ll check the fields out that way. Again, we’re looking for the truck. If there’s a reason for you to go exploring on foot, stay together. And if you find the truck, Maddie and Michael, you go look for him. You know where he’ll be. Ava, can you drive my truck back here and let us know? The phones probably won’t work that far out.”
“Yes, Mr. Reed.”
“We’ll see you in an hour,” I say. “If we’re not here, we’ve found him. Sit tight until we get back.”
“Keys are in my truck, Michael. We’ll take your mom’s car.”
Michael and Ava head for the door. Maddie turns but pauses. “Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
She smiles. “We’re gonna find him, and he’s gonna be fine. Trust me.”
“I love you, Mads.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.” She grins at me. “You too, Mom.”
“Love you, baby girl.”
She tosses open the door. Snaps bolts down the stairs and stops at the screen. He barks for Maddie to come back, but she doesn’t hear him. Jack’s truck is already headed down the road.
I jog into the bathroom and return with an emergency kit. Jack eyes it nervously.
“It’s just in case,” I say.
He tears his eyes from the white plastic box and brings them to mine. The fear, the anger—the determination in them strengthens me.