Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 63214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“I’m fine, Daniel. Thanks for looking after me.”
“I want to do more.”
I didn’t know how to answer that.
Daniel wanted to do more of what? Guard me? Fuck me? Love me? Maybe he wasn’t even thinking in that direction. Perhaps, he thought I’d lost it and needed some mental help that he didn’t think he was experienced in addressing.
We stood in silence for a few more seconds, until I broke the quiet. “What are your plans for tonight? Merry Christmas by the way.”
“Merry Christmas to you. I’m doing nothing. It’s my ex-wife’s turn to have the boys for Christmas. We switch holidays each year. If I have them for Thanksgiving, then she gets them for Christmas.”
“Interesting. How has that worked?”
“We don’t kill each other, so that’s good.”
I laughed. “Good assessment. I’m hoping to not want to kill Brett anymore this year.”
He gave me a sad look. “Separation and divorce is hard. If you ever need to talk to someone, call me.”
“I will.”
“No, you won’t.”
I gave him a weak smile. “Yeah. You’re right. I won’t. It would be weird.”
“Why?”
“Because we used to date and then I cheated on you with the man that I’m divorcing.”
“Oh, that.” Daniel shrugged. “I’m over that.”
“Brett and you have reunited as friends, since he’s been back?”
“No.” He spit on the ground. “I forgive Brett for taking you away from me, but I don’t forgive him for not treating you right, after he stole you.”
“That’s life.”
“That’s bullshit. If he was going to take you away, he should’ve treated you better.”
I blinked. “I wasn’t innocent in the whole situation.”
“Unfortunately for Brett, he’s not as beautiful and good-natured as you, so he gets all of the blame for the past.”
“We were young.”
“You’re right, Faith. We were young, then.” He closed the distance between us and brushed some of the snow out of my hair. “We’re not too old now.”
“No, but we know better, now.”
He tucked my hair behind my ear and slipped his warm finger along my cheek. “And what do we know better about?”
I swallowed. “Life.”
He moved his hand away and stared at me. Melting me with his gaze. Triggering impossible yearning to rise above my gloom and madness. “We know better about life, but not love?”
“No, not love.” I stepped back.
“Maybe we can teach each other more about love. We were always good about learning things together. It would be nice to have an intimate understanding with life again.”
I blushed. “You were a good teacher.”
“I believe you were the teacher and I was the eager student, hoping you would fail me so that I could stay in your class every year and always sit in the front.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “In fact, I’m stilling sitting in the front row.”
“I don’t know how to respond to that.”
“You never leave this property so I doubt you’re dating anyone. Am I correct?” he asked.
“Yes, and how do you know I don’t leave my land?”
“Because I’m always driving by and you’re either over there,” He pointed to my garden studio where I spent most of my days carving and slicing elements into artistic submission, “Or you’re usually running around with your girls in the front. I’ve seen people deliver your groceries and I know Brett picks the girls up for school and bring them back later in the day.”
“You know a lot.”
“Because I’m watching you.”
“That’s scary. It sounds like I have a stalker.” I raised my eyebrows. “Should I call the cops?”
He grinned. “It would be a waste of time.”
“I think so too.” I frowned. “Daniel, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. Just because Brett left doesn’t mean I don’t know how to take care of myself.”
“It’s not about being worried about you. I’m not a fucking boy scout, Faith. I’m still in love with you.”
A large branch broke in the tree near his car. It fell near the mail box and blocked the path toward the driveway. Daniel ran over there, picked it up, and tossed it to the side. “Be careful around these trees. There’s heavy snow on the—”
“I am from here. I think I know how to live around here.”
“Okay.” He wiped snow off his gloves. “Well then, let’s return to the topic of us dating again.”
“Wow.” I raised my hands in the air.
“I don’t have a gun.”
I had nothing to say.
“Faith, are you okay?”
“I’m. . .fine.” I blew out a wintry smoke, wishing it was real smoke. I’d left my cigarettes up in the bedroom and hadn’t had one all day. I’d been so obsessed with getting the jails built around my snow creatures in time.
Daniel stepped back. “Was it too soon to ask?”
“No, just. . .not a good week.” I glanced at my snowman in his jail. “I’m currently busy with a little problem. Maybe check with me after the holidays. . .” Another tree branch fell a few feet near the car. “Or maybe we can wait until the snow melts.”