Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“We’re just trying to help.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“No, you didn’t.” My throat tightened as I told her, “But I’ve been in your shoes. I know how hard it can be.”
“You don’t know anything about me or what I’ve been through!” She rolled her eyes, then started to walk off as she grumbled, “Just leave me alone.”
She didn’t get far when Cotton stepped in front of her, stopping her dead in her tracks. He looked down at her with concern as he asked, “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing.” She nervously bit her bottom lip as she looked up at Cotton and announced, “I was just leaving.”
When Cotton turned to us, Two Bit was quick to explain, “We just found her going through the dumpster.”
“I already told both of them...” the girl whipped back around, “I was looking for my keys.”
“Oh?” Cotton studied her for a moment, then asked, “And how did they end up there?”
She didn’t answer.
She simply stood there and glared at him.
“You got a place to go, kid?”
“Why do you care?” She glanced over at me and Two Bit as she asked, “Why do any of you care?”
“Cause it’s thirty degrees out here, and you got no coat,” I clipped. “We’re not leaving you out here alone.”
“Please just leave it.” Tears filled her eyes as she told us, “I just gotta make it a couple more months.”
“What happens then?”
“I’ll be eighteen.” Her eyes were filled with determination as she told us, “I won’t have to be put in the system and end up in some place I don’t wanna be.”
“The way I see it, you got two choices.” Cotton crossed his arms. “You can either come with us, or we’re calling the cops.”
“Why would I come with you?”
“We’ll get you cleaned up and some real food in your belly.” Cotton’s expression softened as he told her, “And a warm place to lay your head. How does that sound?”
“It sounds great, but what’s it gonna cost me?”
“Nothing, kid. Not a damn thing.”
She mulled it over for a moment but eventually agreed to come with us.
After we got her some food, we took her down to one of the guest rooms where she took a shower, and then the girls got her some clean clothes and other girlie shit. It took a few days, but she finally opened up and admitted that she’d recently lost both of her parents in a house fire. She’d heard horror stories about the foster care system, so she decided to try and hide out until she turned eighteen. She left the only home she’d ever known and spent the next month living in her parents’ car.
Our president was known to have a bit of a soft spot for folks like Elsie, who were having a hard time, so none of us were surprised when Cotton offered to make her stay more permanent. It only took a couple of months for her to settle in and become like family, and I was pleased to hear she was doing well in her college classes. “Proud of ya, kid.”
“Thanks, Q.” She rolled her eyes with a groan as she said, “The professor didn’t make it easy. The guy’s a grade-A asshole with a receding hairline and a bad case of halitosis, and he’s intent on making my life hell.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”
“Oh, he definitely is, but I won’t let him get the best of me.”
“That’s what we wanted to hear.” Clutch gave her a proud smile as he asked, “You up for taking a break from all the ball-bustin’ tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I could use a break. What do you have in mind?”
“Some of us are heading out to Smokey’s place tomorrow. Gonna do some grilling and help them set up for Pioneer Day.”
I could still remember the day Smokey’s dad died and left Smokey their family orchard. Smokey and his father weren’t exactly close, so it was understandable that Smokey wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea. We all expected him to back out and sell the place, but MJ, his ol’ lady, convinced him to hold onto the place. It took some time, but they’d completely revamped the entire place. It was no longer a simple apple orchard but a place for apple picking, gift buying, weddings, and family events.
It had become a local attraction that brought tourists in from all over, and they were expecting a huge turnout for their upcoming Pioneer Day. They’d have folks dressed up in pioneer clothes making jams and shit like they did back in the day, and there would be tons of activities for the kids. It was something we’d all come to enjoy, so I wasn’t surprised when Clutch told Elsie, “I thought you might like to tag along.”
“I’d love to.”
“Good deal. We’ll head out around nine.”
“Sounds great.” She glanced over at the clock, then told us, “Well, I should probably go get some studying done. You guys have a good night.”