Read Online A Week for Love to Bloom by Scarlet Wolfe - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Scarlet Wolfe
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you knew the things I’d like to do to you .”
“If you only knew the things I fantasize about you doing to me.”
“You asked for it now. I’m coming over there.”
“No, wait. I really want to see you tonight, but I’m exhausted. I promise I’ll make up for the sexual harassment this weekend.”
Justin let out a groan of frustration into the phone.
“You’ve definitely sexually harassed me during this phone call, but I believe it’s worth it if you want to make it up to me. You get some rest, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I have to go take a cold shower.”
***
Lauren smelled the savory scent of her mother’s chicken and dumplings.
“Is Justin coming over again?” Claire asked as she stood at the stove.
“No, I told him I needed tonight to myself. You and I have barely chatted this week, and I need to rest my feet.” Lauren was sitting at the table, trying to wrestle one of her boot strings out of a knot. “That means I’m not moving from the couch for a few hours, but I need to ask you some questions about the finances first.”
Claire had her back to Lauren at the stove. She froze, holding her spoon still in a pot . “I’d really like for you to discuss that with your father.”
“Mom, I know you never handled the financial side of the business before he left, but neither did I. I’m starting to feel as if you two are trying to avoid discussing this with me. I don’t see how we made enough income to get us through the off-seasons. We barely had enough this past winter. Once I pay everything, there isn’t much left, so I will likely have to get a part-time job in November to cover us while the nursery is closed.”
“I’ m sorry, honey. I really wouldn’t understand any of it. You know I’ve never done anything in my life other than work in that nursery. Please make your father deal with it,” Claire said as she walked over and handed Lauren her plate.
Lauren let out a lengthy sigh. “Grandpa and Grandma ran this place until five years ago. Since they died, I’ve slowly taken over their role. Dad just walked away, and you are here expecting me to be the parent. Maybe it wasn’t your intention, but it happened.
“That first month after he left, I held you each night while you cried. I didn’t know if you would recover. Well, there are days I feel I’m going to crack. I’m twenty-one, but I feel as if I’m forty from the responsibility that was dumped on me. Please, if there’s any help the two of you can give me, I need it desperately. I usually feel sorry for Dad, but days like this, when I’m utterly overwhelmed, I hate him.”
“I’m sorry, Lauren. I never meant for thin gs to get this bad.”
Lauren saw the unsettled and sad expression on her mother’s face, but she didn’t feel like she owed her an apology. She was tired of carrying the burden alone.
She and Claire watched television after su pper. It wasn’t the pleasant evening she hoped for. After the brutal honesty she dished out to her mother, their evening was awkward and somber.
A fter a couple of hours, Lauren realized she hadn’t paid attention to the television programs. She could only think about her time with Justin and his charming smile. She felt as if he took up permanent residence in her mind, and her heart warmed from the thought of being wrapped inside his protective arms.
Chapter Twelve
Lauren called Justin on Thursday morning.
He answered his phone when it rang. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“My name already pops up on your p hone. I’m flattered. They’re calling for rain tomorrow, so we’ll probably be packed today, but I wanted to tell you I’m thinking about you.”
“Same her e. I think my family is aggravated with my preoccupied mind.”
“You told your family about me?”
“Jonathan knows, but I haven’t told my parents yet. I really hope I get the opportunity to introduce you to them soon. Did you get to relax with your mom last night?”
“Not
“If you only knew the things I fantasize about you doing to me.”
“You asked for it now. I’m coming over there.”
“No, wait. I really want to see you tonight, but I’m exhausted. I promise I’ll make up for the sexual harassment this weekend.”
Justin let out a groan of frustration into the phone.
“You’ve definitely sexually harassed me during this phone call, but I believe it’s worth it if you want to make it up to me. You get some rest, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I have to go take a cold shower.”
***
Lauren smelled the savory scent of her mother’s chicken and dumplings.
“Is Justin coming over again?” Claire asked as she stood at the stove.
“No, I told him I needed tonight to myself. You and I have barely chatted this week, and I need to rest my feet.” Lauren was sitting at the table, trying to wrestle one of her boot strings out of a knot. “That means I’m not moving from the couch for a few hours, but I need to ask you some questions about the finances first.”
Claire had her back to Lauren at the stove. She froze, holding her spoon still in a pot . “I’d really like for you to discuss that with your father.”
“Mom, I know you never handled the financial side of the business before he left, but neither did I. I’m starting to feel as if you two are trying to avoid discussing this with me. I don’t see how we made enough income to get us through the off-seasons. We barely had enough this past winter. Once I pay everything, there isn’t much left, so I will likely have to get a part-time job in November to cover us while the nursery is closed.”
“I’ m sorry, honey. I really wouldn’t understand any of it. You know I’ve never done anything in my life other than work in that nursery. Please make your father deal with it,” Claire said as she walked over and handed Lauren her plate.
Lauren let out a lengthy sigh. “Grandpa and Grandma ran this place until five years ago. Since they died, I’ve slowly taken over their role. Dad just walked away, and you are here expecting me to be the parent. Maybe it wasn’t your intention, but it happened.
“That first month after he left, I held you each night while you cried. I didn’t know if you would recover. Well, there are days I feel I’m going to crack. I’m twenty-one, but I feel as if I’m forty from the responsibility that was dumped on me. Please, if there’s any help the two of you can give me, I need it desperately. I usually feel sorry for Dad, but days like this, when I’m utterly overwhelmed, I hate him.”
“I’m sorry, Lauren. I never meant for thin gs to get this bad.”
Lauren saw the unsettled and sad expression on her mother’s face, but she didn’t feel like she owed her an apology. She was tired of carrying the burden alone.
She and Claire watched television after su pper. It wasn’t the pleasant evening she hoped for. After the brutal honesty she dished out to her mother, their evening was awkward and somber.
A fter a couple of hours, Lauren realized she hadn’t paid attention to the television programs. She could only think about her time with Justin and his charming smile. She felt as if he took up permanent residence in her mind, and her heart warmed from the thought of being wrapped inside his protective arms.
Chapter Twelve
Lauren called Justin on Thursday morning.
He answered his phone when it rang. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“My name already pops up on your p hone. I’m flattered. They’re calling for rain tomorrow, so we’ll probably be packed today, but I wanted to tell you I’m thinking about you.”
“Same her e. I think my family is aggravated with my preoccupied mind.”
“You told your family about me?”
“Jonathan knows, but I haven’t told my parents yet. I really hope I get the opportunity to introduce you to them soon. Did you get to relax with your mom last night?”
“Not
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