Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Always.”
Shady Valley had changed a bit through the years. Storefronts that had once been abandoned now featured sweet little mom-and-pop shops that brought a lot of richness back into the community.
Sure, development meant there were also a lot more people than there used to be. But Shady Valley was still the small town I’d fallen in love with, and fallen in love in, many years before.
“Uh oh,” I said as we walked past the pool hall and I noticed a brick had fallen out of the step.
“Don’t suppose you’d be interested in fixing it,” Konstantin said, shooting me a knowing smirk.
“Sure. For a small fee of four hundred thousand dollars.”
Miracle of all miracles, I actually got a little laugh out of the usually so controlled Bratva boss.
“You’ll forgive me for getting some other quotes.”
I wouldn’t claim to be friends with the Novikoff family. But I understood the balance between the criminal empires in the city.
And, well, our kids went to school together. So we had to be friendly, no matter our pasts.
“Picking up your kids too?” Konstantin asked as the front door to the karate studio opened and people started to spill out.
“Yeah,” we agreed, crossing the street to meet ours. Konstantin waited on the other side, waiting for his kids to cross safely.
We were somewhat hands-off parents with mostly independent kids.
But the Novikoff kids were almost feral.
“Mom,” our youngest said, letting out an epic sigh.
“Yeah, honey?” I asked, running my fingers through her hair.
“I gave it a try.”
“Hmm?
“Karate. You said I had to give it a try.”
She gave it more than a try. My little perfectionist had busted her butt to get good at it.
“Okay…”
“I don’t want to do it anymore.”
“Oh, well, okay,” I agreed. “You know your father and I kind of want you guys to each have one physical activity and one more mental hobby, though.”
“I know. I want to try something new.”
“That’s great. What do you want to try?”
“Soccer.”
My stomach sank, but I forced a smile on my lips. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. I’m good at it.”
“I think that’s a great idea then. We will sign you up as soon as the season starts then.”
Happy with my decision, she skipped forward to join her brother.
“You handled that really well,” Saul said, wrapping an arm around me. “I’m proud of you.”
“We want the kids to explore their interests,” I said. Then, with a little smile for Saul. “And the local soccer coach is part of my mom’s group.”
Saul leaned over, pressing a kiss to my temple as we watched the kids run up our front porch to greet their siblings.
“Crazy,” I said.
“What is?”
“All of this because I fell off a ladder and into your arms,” I said. “Been falling for you ever since.”
“And I’ll always be here to catch you.”
XX