His daddy pats him on the shoulder. “Positive, son. You two go forward. I’ll discover you after I’m performed with Mr. James right here.”

I pull on Beckett’s hand and lead him out of the barn. “The fishin’ pond is my second favoritest place on the entire ranch! You may go fishin’ and swimmin’, however Mama says I’m not allowed to go within the water on my own ‘til I’m older.”

“What’s your first most favoritest place on the ranch?” Beckett asks.

“Oh, that’s straightforward. The horses are my most favoritest issues in the entire broad world. Certainly one of ‘em simply had a child. Daddy let me identify her after my favourite flower! He says when she’s slightly bit older, she could be all mine, and I can trip her anytime I need! Do you want horses, Beckett?”

“I dunno.” Beckett’s shoulders carry. “My dad was a cattle rancher ‘til we moved right here. They’d some horses on the final ranch we lived on, however solely the grown-ups had been allowed to trip ‘em.”

“The place’d ya dwell earlier than? I’ve been in Georgia my entire life.”

“Brownsville,” he says. “That’s in Texas.”

After we attain the pond, I run down the fishin’ dock and pull my footwear off. I like stickin’ my toes within the water. It’s humorous when the fish tickle my toes. “How come you moved to Hope?”

Beckett takes off his socks and boots and hangs his legs over the sting like me. “Mr. Wakefield bought the ranch we had been livin’ on. He moved away and took my mommy with him. Dad says it’s time to make new recollections, simply us boys, so we got here right here. He stated livin’ in a city referred to as Hope was an indication from God that every thing was gonna be okay.”

“How come she left if she’s your mama?”

He runs his finger alongside the picket fringe of the dock. “My dad says generally folks aren’t match for bein’ mommies and daddies, so he’s simply gonna have to like me sufficient for each of ‘em.”

I kick my toes and giggle when water will get on my face. “Are you unhappy you don’t have a mama no extra?”

“Typically.”

“Effectively, my mama’s actual good. I’m positive she could be your mama, too. She makes the perfect peach cobbler in all of Georgia. Plus, if I get a boo-boo, she fixes me all up and offers me ice cream after. She’s an actual good mama.”

Beckett kicks the water similar to me. “I like peach cobbler.”

“It’s the yummiest.”

“Hey, Presley?”

“Huh?”

“Do you wanna be my pal? My pals name me Beck, so you’ll be able to, too, in the event you wanna.”

“Okay, Beck.” I nod. “I’m gonna be your bestest pal in the entire broad world!”

Chapter Two

Presley

“Mrs. Winters? Is it okay if I are available in?”

My eyes comply with the sound of the deep voice, and I discover a middle-aged man standing within the doorway to my room. I don’t know who this man is, however he appears to be like like some kind of official, which has me immediately on edge. He should sense my discomfort as a result of he digs into his swimsuit jacket’s breast pocket and withdraws a pockets.

He flips it open to disclose a badge, however he’s too far-off for me to see any particulars. “My identify is Derek Simmons. I’d wish to ask you a couple of questions on your assault.”

I slim my good eye in suspicion. “I already gave a press release to the police.”

Mr. Simmons nods to the plastic chair that sits in opposition to the wall. “Could I? I promise I gained’t take an excessive amount of of your time.”

I give him a slight nod.

“Mrs. Winters—”

“Presley,” I insist.

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