Page 64 of Out to Find Freedom

But I couldn’t jump to conclusions yet. I’d wait and see where this went… but I was darn excited to be in contact with him. So excited that I let out a little squeal and kicked my feet up and down. Cheese and bacon balls went flying, but I didn’t care. Instead, I read on.

If you haven’t tried it, you should. I won’t hate on you for reading. A lot of the women I know do it. Football is life. You should see if you like it. Butch is still being a dick. He’s taken a couple more meals from me. But I did it back to him today and the douche didn’t like it at all. Maybe he’ll stop now. Glad to hear you’re doing well, darlin’. Now everything’s over, even the court case and all, I hope you’re breathing easy. Was surprised you haven’t seen Disney movies. Even more surprised to learn you worked on a farm. Your dad sounds like a good guy. Glad you had him in your life. Sucks it ended so early for you. The cases I have right now are doing my head in. But nothing too bad, which is good.

Heard you’ve got your own place and set up your own business. That’s bloody great, Emmie. What else have you been up to?

He’d heard things about me. From who? Had he asked or just been told?

At least he was asking about me now. That meant something, right?

If I texted back right away, did it show I was too eager? Desperate for his attention?

Screw it all. I wasn’t one to play mind games. He could take me replying straight away any way he wanted to.

Emmie: I’ll be sure to give that pizza a try, maybe one time when I’m also figuring out football. I hope Butch doesn’t try again. Then again if he does, you should set him up and have something hidden in your lunch that will make him never steal your food again.

I’ll never say I won’t try Disney movies…. I heard Julian talk about them the other day, and I have a feeling if he found out I’ve never seen one, it would change, and quickly. I loved working on the farm. I miss it a lot. And yes, you’re right, Dad was an amazing man.

Sorry to hear your cases are playing on your mind, but at least, like you’ve said, it’s not too bad.

I do have my own place and business. I live right next door to Julian and Mattie. It’s small, but perfect for just me. I took a couple of online courses to develop my graphic design skills and get into branding, things like designing logos. As it happens, I have a natural talent for it, so I’ve been told. The clients I have were willing to hire me even though I hadn’t finished the courses. From them being happy with my work, they’ve spread the word, and I’ve managed to gain a couple more clients. It’s small right now, which suits me just fine, but I am hoping to grow it eventually. Say in a few years.

Honestly, my days have been filled with work, courses, and taking back my life. Making my days how I want them. You might know already, but there was enough money in Dad’s accounts for me to live comfortable until my inheritance comes in. I could sit around and do nothing if I really wanted to, but for me, that’s not life.

Life is about making your own mark. My dad had his with his businesses and the farm. I want to make my own. I’m not even sure why I’m telling you that.

Anyway. I have some questions for you.

Do you eat chocolate? My favourite is Nestle Smarties. But in the block size.

What do you do in your time off?

How do you like your steak cooked? I’m a medium-well to well-done kind of lady.

Do you watch TV? Julian and Mattie have me hooked on a few shows on Netflix. So much so I had to make sure I had Netflix at my own house.

I quickly hit Send before I chickened out, then put the phone back on the couch. It didn’t stop me from staring at it, but at least I wasn’t holding it.

I heard footsteps on the front porch, and when a key was inserted in the lock, I didn’t bother getting up to check who it was. Only two people had keys to my place, so I knew it was either one of them or both Julian and Mattie.

The door swung open. I peeled my eyes from my phone and rubbed at my chest while I looked up at Julian and Mattie in the doorway.

“What happened?” Mattie asked.

I glanced around me, completely forgetting about the cheese and bacon balls everywhere.

“I got a text.”

“And that caused you to throw chips about?” Julian asked with an open-mouthed smile. Mattie moved off into the kitchen with the bags he carried. I heard him dump them on the counter and then come back into the room.

He leaned over the back of the couch. “Hey, honey,” he said before kissing my temple.

“Hey, honey, back.”

“No, seriously, before you get some lovin’ off me, who texted?” Julian asked. His hands went to his hips.

“Ryan,” I told them.

Julian’s eyes widened comically. His hands slid up to cover his mouth. He spread his fingers and whispered, “Warden?”

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