Prologue

Ten years in the past

“Cassidy, I’ve received to go, child,” he stated, his lips pressed in opposition to my brow. My arms had been tightly wrapped round him, tears steadily flowing down my face.

I knew at the present time was coming, but the fact was far worse than something I imagined.

“I do know, however I don’t wish to allow you to go, Cade.”

He was two years older than me, so whereas I used to be ending up highschool, he was off to start out his faculty profession.

“I’ll be again earlier than you already know it and we will get married and stay fortunately ever after.”

“Promise?” I requested, wanting up into his stunning eyes.

“I promise, Cass,” he whispered, kissing me yet another time earlier than he headed off by way of the gate to board the airplane.

Six months later, after I grew to become the laughingstock of our small city after he married somebody he met whereas away in faculty, I vowed to maneuver away from everybody’s small-mindedness. Oh, and it was the final time I might consider another person’s guarantees.

One

Cassidy

Current Day

I sigh as I pull as much as the trailer I’m at present dwelling in with my mother. Coming dwelling has sucked, however my people wanted me after Daddy received damage whereas at work, so right here I’m, in BFE, also referred to as the North Georgia mountains, struggling to search out my place in the neighborhood once more.

I hear the whispers every time I’m at work as a clerk within the grocery retailer and know that even a decade later, people nonetheless assume mine and Cade’s ‘damaged love story’ is one thing to gossip about. As for me, I maintain my mouth shut and my head held excessive. I wasn’t the one who broke their promise. Nope, that was him. And now that he’s wealthy and well-known and I’m nonetheless simply me, I’m certain the gossips have a shitload to say about that as nicely.

Turning off my automobile, I get out then seize the luggage of groceries I’d snagged so I could make dinner. Now that it’s simply me and Mother, she depends on me for just about every little thing. I do know she’s grieving the lack of my father, similar to I’m, but it surely’s as if she’s fully shut herself off from every little thing, which implies I’m doing virtually every little thing today. Actually, it’s beginning to put on me down. I imply, right here I’m, allegedly within the prime of my life and all I’ve to point out for it’s… nicely, nothing, truly. No nice job, no boyfriend, no children… nada, zip, zilch. Decided to not let my present ideas get me down, I shut the door and make my method inside.

“Hey, Mother,” I name out.

I’m by no means certain what sort of temper I’ll discover her in, however wanting round, it looks like right this moment has been a very good day . The trailer, by no means actually soiled to start with, sparkles and smells lemony recent and I do know she’s been cleansing. Good. I didn’t wish to take care of that on prime of creating dinner and attempting to determine if we had sufficient to pay the payments this month. We’re ready on a settlement from the accident that took my daddy from us, but it surely’s taking without end, like these items appear to do. Within the meantime, we’re consuming lean and I’m taking each shift I can to ensure that I maintain the lights on, and our mobile phone payments paid. Fortunately, the land and trailer are owned free and clear, however taxes are looming as nicely, and I’m fairly certain the septic tank is because of be emptied or no matter it’s that these people do. I’m positively grateful for our native meals pantry, which is phenomenal. Not solely can we get to return in twice a month, however proper now, we’re getting farm recent eggs, together with venison that some native hunters had processed then donated. Since I do know she’s in a very good temper, I put a smile alone face, one thing I’ve realized to do since Daddy died.

“Hello, sweetie!” Mother singsongs as she comes from the again hallway. “Acquired some information right this moment.”

She appears to have a glow about her, one thing that’s been lacking for a very long time. I discover that she’s taken pains to do her hair, and if I’m not mistaken, she’s even carrying make-up.

“Oh yeah?” I ask.

“Yeah, the lawyer referred to as, and so they received the settlement verify in right this moment! We will go into city tomorrow and get that taken care of if you happen to don’t need to work.”

I shortly take into consideration my schedule and understand that I work the afternoon shift. “So long as we will go very first thing, it shouldn’t be an issue, Mother. I don’t go in till twelve.”

“Oh, that’s nice. I’ll go name him again and let him know, okay?” she questions, already turning again towards her room.

“That’s advantageous, Mother. How’s spaghetti for dinner sound?”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll offer you a hand in a couple of minutes.”

I nod despite the fact that she’s already left the room after which set about getting dinner ready. Appears like I would like to tug out our price range and see what we will care for immediately in order that we will relaxation simple.

Proper now, I’m grateful that regardless of my dad’s revenue, we all the time lived considerably frugally. Nevertheless, despite the fact that he had a Employee’s Compensation declare, my mother needed to dip into their financial savings for issues that had been denied. I do know the lawyer has all these receipts, in addition to those from the funeral dwelling.

Thank goodness for my faculty fund, I feel as I stir the bottom beef after including some spices. I used to be in my second 12 months, and had a scholarship which coated most of my bills, however my dad and mom had saved and what I didn’t use whereas in faculty went to varied payments to make sure we continued to have a roof over our heads.

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