Page 6 of This Broken Heart
“Even if that means leaving Lincoln?”
She winces slightly. “I won’t pretend I won’t miss you. But this will be good for you. You’ve never lived anywhere else. You need to get out there. Spread your wings a little.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” She waves her hands dismissively. “I’ve had my turn, Erin. I had my adventures, found romance. Built a family with your dad. It’s your time now. Don’t miss your chance because of me.”
“I’m not missing anything because of you, mom. I’m happy with the way things are.”
“You deserve more.” She nods at the job listings lying on the table. “I think it’s time you took a chance.”
4.
Josh
I grew up with three little sisters.
Which means I got a solid education on the emotional and physical habits of teenaged girls in the wild.
I also turned into a protective caveman. Keeping assholes away from three beautiful girls is a full-time job.
I love my sisters equally, but Reese and I always seemed to get each other. She’s got a whip-fast sense of humor and isn’t afraid to go out there and get her hands dirty.
We pull up to the farm and start walking towards the house.
I grab and handful of her parka and tug her behind me so I can walk ahead.
She squawks indignantly and hurries to catch up to my side. “Dick.”
I glance down at her. “Oh. Didn’t see you there.”
She’s short, like my mom, and has her dark hair and eyes.
“We drove together.”
“Did we?”
She laughs, shoving me. “You picked me up from the airport.”
“I did?”
She rolls her eyes, glancing back at the cattle feedlot. “God, you forget how pungent the smell is.”
I take a deep breath and sigh dramatically. “Smells like money.”
“Smells like cow shit.”
I grin. “Are you ready to graduate?”
She sighs. “Very. If I never see a textbook again, it will be too soon.”
“Got any job prospects lined up?”
“No.” She shrugs. “Remind me again why I decided to study community planning? I should have gone into nursing like Parker and Charlie.”
“Yeah, but you have a weak stomach and hate needles.”
She nods. “There is that.”