AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I did, but I can’t help but wonder how lucky I’d be if Nina had been in my life for the last ten years.
***
After a few days of traveling, we finally pass the welcome sign that says, “Mistletoe Creek.”
“Sweet Girl.” I drag my knuckles down her cheek to wake her. She’s a horrible co-pilot, but that’s okay, I’ll take her head on my shoulder while she sleeps any day of the damn week. “We’re home,” I state, and damn, I didn’t think it would feel so fucking good to say.
I’ve missed it here.
The snow is sticking to the ground, the beautiful white blanket goes on for miles over the mountains while weighing down the tree branches.
She mumbles, burying her face in my arm.
“We’re here, Nina. We’re home. Wake up.” I nudge her a bit, tapping the tip of her nose.
She startles awake, wiping the small trail of drool from her lip. When she sees the snow, she perks up as if she hasn’t been sleeping for the entire drive. “We’re here! You’re here.”
“We are. I am,” I chuckle, lacing my fingers with hers to hold her hand. “I’m sorry I was gone for so long,” I whisper. “I’m sorry I was being stubborn and for not seeing what was right in front of me.”
“It’s okay,” she says, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “I understand. We can’t change the past, Simon. Let’s just focus on the future. You’re here now.”
“And I’m not going anywhere,” I say, bringing her hand to my lips to give her a kiss.
I watch the road, the truck peaking at the top of the hill to show the entire town. The most noticeable part is the castle situated behind the town at the base of a mountain. It’s daytime so no one can see, but I have no doubt Christmas lights are decorating the entirety of that giant castle.
“Well, there’s Gold’s Gas and Garage. I see that hasn’t changed a bit,” I say, liking that it hasn’t changed. The white and red building is classic. I would hate to see it be any different.
“Everything is how you left it,” Nina states. “Nothing new to add. Everyone is going to be so excited to see you. Your mom… I can’t imagine what she’ll do.”
“Before we do anything, I want to go to the lawyer, okay? I need everything settled before my uncle beats me to it.”
“I agree. He’s so… I don’t know. There’s always been something about him that’s so unsettling.”
I tap my fingers on the steering wheel and glance in the rearview mirror to make sure Tim and Pete are still behind me. They are and they must be singing something because I can see their mouths moving in a way that says they are jamming out.
“Can I tell you something?”
“Always.” She squeezes my hand with reassurance.
“You know how my dad got into that accident and they said his brakes failed?”
She nods.
“I don’t think they failed. I think my uncle had something to do with it. That entire night, the more I think about it, the more it felt like it was a setup. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“I wouldn’t either. He’s made a few threats to the sanctuary, saying he’d kill the lions one by one until there were no cats for us to care for.”
“He did what?” I snarl, pressing my foot on the gas to get to the lawyer’s office quicker. “Please tell me H.C. Anderson’s law office is still there?”
“He’s still the town lawyer,” Nina confirms.
We pass The Glass Slipper, Mistletoe Creek’s Bed and Breakfast, and then just a half a mile up the road is the law office. I pull into the parking lot, slamming on my brakes until the tires slide against the pavement.
I don’t bother turning the truck off as I get out, Nina following right behind me.
“What’s going on?”
“Got to see a man about a fortune, Tim! Hang tight. It should only be a few minutes.”
