Let It Be by Marie Force

Author:Marie Force [Force, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952793905
Publisher: HTJB, Inc.

* * *

After a late-afternoon shift at the tree farm that had brought in only a few last-minute stragglers, Landon arrived home to a dark house and tried to remember what Amanda and Stella had planned for the afternoon. He was greeted by Matilda, the yellow Lab puppy Dude had given Stella when she moved in with them, and let the puppy out in the yard, keeping an eye on her as she did her business and then came bounding back in for dinner.

She bounced with happiness at the sight of her full bowl and dove in, making a huge mess, like she did every time she ate. Thankfully, she also cleaned up after herself.

He went to the dry-erase calendar Amanda kept on the wall of the kitchen to see where his girls were. Dance class in St. Johnsbury at five p.m. They should be back soon, he thought, even as he tried not to think about them driving the dark, winding, icy roads between here and there.

Those roads gave him nightmares because he’d seen—far too often—what happened when cars lost control on the curves, especially at this time of year. He’d insisted Amanda get an SUV with four-wheel drive and antilock brakes so she’d be as prepared as possible for driving in Vermont winters.

When you had everything you’ve ever wanted, the thought of losing it—or them—was unbearable. Six months ago, he’d been single and unencumbered. Now he had a fiancée, a stepdaughter he loved like his own child and a dog who’d quickly worked her way straight into his heart. Life was good, and he was so incredibly grateful for everything he had now.

Maybe that was why his father’s story had touched him so deeply. Hearing what his dad had gone through to be with his mom pained Landon. If he’d had to choose between Amanda and his family… The thought of that was unimaginable. Anyone who would force their own child to make that kind of choice had to be a freaking monster.

And that monster was Landon’s grandfather.

Great.

He opened a beer and had downed half of it by the time the wash of headlights over the yard reflected inside the house. Excited to see his girls after the long day apart, he went to the door to wait for them. Only Amanda emerged from the car, smiling when she saw him there.

That smile lit up his world and made everything that was wrong seem trivial compared to the many things that were so, so right.

“Where’s our girl?”

She pulled a knitted hat off her head, leaving her dark hair charged with static. “She went to have pizza with Emma, Grayson and Simone after dance class. They’re bringing her home.”

Matilda let out a loud whine when she saw that Stella wasn’t with Amanda.

Amanda petted the dog and kissed her head. “She’ll be home soon, silly girl. You’ll survive another hour without her.”

“She’s not sure she will,” Landon said. “You didn’t want to go with them?”

“I figured you’d be home by now, so I came to see you.

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