A Heart of Time Read Online Free Page B

the most thoughtful little girl in the world, Olive. Thank you for making me meals.” Her wet lips press against my cheek and her hands squeeze against my back.
    “We’re going to miss the bus,” she says. I look up at the clock, seeing we have five minutes to get to the bus stop down the street, so I scoop her up and head out the door. I don’t want to let her go. I’ve kept her by my side for five years. And to show for that, she’s probably the only five-year-old who could install a carpet with her eyes closed. Every day has been a “bring-your-child-to-work day” and I’ve loved it. Today will be the first job without her next to me in five years.
    By the time we reach the end of the driveway, AJ is pulling in. His window is down and his head is craned out of the window. “Is my big girl finally going to school today?” he shouts over.
    “Uncle AJ!” she shouts, wriggling herself free from my arms so she can run to his truck. “I’m going to school!”
    AJ throws the truck into park, hops out and swings his arms around Olive. It’s seconds before she’s sitting on his shoulders. “You are going to have the best day, little girl.” He tickles her senselessly until she’s hanging upside down and completely out of breath.
    “We’re going to miss the bus,” I tell him.
    “Well, Mr. Serious Pants said I have to put you down,” AJ says in a mockingly deep voice. “Can’t miss the bus on your first day, Ollie-Lolly.” With one last giggle, Olive runs back to my side, slipping her hand into mine.
    “Come’on, Daddy,” she drawls.
    “I’ll be back in twenty,” I tell AJ.
    “I’m heading right over to the job site. Just meet me over there when you’re ready,” AJ says. I give him a quick nod and continue toward the bus stop. “Hey, Hunt.”
    I look back at AJ as we continue to walk. “Yeah?”
    “She’s going to be great, bro. Don’t worry.” AJ is a man of many words, but most of them are filled with humor, sarcasm, or things I don’t need to hear. It makes up for my serious disposition, but when he says something from the heart, it means a lot.
    “Thank you,” I say, waving over my head.
    “I’m excited,” Olive says as we approach the bus stop.
    “I’m going to miss you today,” I tell her, taking in the scene of a half dozen moms and what must be ten kids. What if the bus driver doesn’t see her get on?
    “It’s just kindergarten,” she whispers into my ear.
    I chuckle against her cheek and place her down. She’s quick to take off, throwing her backpack to the ground so she can join the other kids running across the grassy area. She doesn’t know any of them but she doesn’t care. Olive makes friends with everyone she meets, just like Ellie did. I could learn a thing or two from my intelligent daughter.
    “Hi there,” one of the moms says as she approaches me with her hand outstretched. “Are you new to the neighborhood?”
    I clear my throat from what feels like a gummy substance lodged between my tongue and tonsils. Keep your shit together, Hunter. “Yeah, ah, Olive and I just moved in a few weeks ago,” I manage to get out while shaking her hand—her warm, inviting, and surprisingly strong hand.
    “Oh, you’re the new neighbors in the yellow house?” she says, pointing down in the direction we walked from. I don’t look to where she’s pointing, though, since the wind blowing through her long, auburn hair seems to have caught my attention.
    “Yes, Ma’am, we are.” Ma’am? Really? Smooth.
    She chuckles quietly. “I’m Charlotte Drake. Welcome!” With an awkward pause because I can’t figure out how to say my name, she continues, “Well, I’m sure you and your wife will be happy here. This is a wonderful neighborhood to raise a family as you can clearly see.” She emphasizes her statement by looking back at all the children playing.
    My wife …my wife who should be here with us today, but isn’t. And just like that, I’m reminded how nothing