The Switch, Debra Kayn [best books for 20 year olds .txt] 📗

Though, there was no misunderstanding. Trip was with her because of her, not the kids.

He made her feel beautiful and alive. Most of all, she felt wanted and needed. He gave her what no man had ever given her, and that was support.

No, he gave her confidence to let someone else step into her life and know with everything in her soul that she could rely on him, not only for herself but for her kids. That was huge to her.

She pressed her hand to her chest. He had her obsessed with listening to her heart.

He seemed amazed that he could fall in love with her, which was the most endearing thing she'd ever experienced in her life. It made her feel like they were sixteen years old and discovering love for the first time.

But what would her boys think if she threw herself over the edge of the cliff and decided to have Trip in her life forever?

Her stomach fluttered. Was that something Ben would've wanted for his sons? Another man influencing them? Protecting them? Supporting them?

She closed her eyes, knowing the answer. Ben had been a terrific father. Though young and dealing with the stress of being a teenage father, Ben's love for his sons was the one thing he never fought.

Filling her lungs, she slowly let out her breath. She and Trip had a lot to talk about if he was sure he wanted to change his life for her.

She opened her eyes. The old familiar comfort she always got from Grandpa Gene's house surrounded her. She wished he was alive to talk to about her current situation.

Remembering Grandpa Gene's journal, she got up from the table and shut off the light. She wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight. She might as well use the time to see what was in the notebook.

Stretched out on the bed, she opened the cover and ran her fingers over the page. The ink was smudged in places. She was surprised the mice hadn't destroyed the pages after so many years in the shed.

Ever since Avery Falls Motorcycle Club bought the town and heavy-handedly urged me to accept their offer to buy me out, I've noticed the strange nightly activities have increased. I've also found evidence that someone is blasting the side of the mountain. There are flyrocks littering the area in front of the old railroad tunnel that is now closed at the edge of my property. At first, I believed the motorcycle club had collapsed that side of the mountain. The structure was fragile and a safety issue, though the locals that knew about the location are long gone. I'm the only one still around who knows the history.

I heard the noise again last night. It's no longer rock blasts. I suspect there are men inside the mountain, tunneling either through the collapsed area or taking it in another direction. No biker I've ever known had the skills to go into mining.

SHE TURNED THE PAGE, curious to know what Grandpa Gene discovered. He'd never mentioned the activity around her, but she'd been a child.

AFMC doubled the offer on my place. I escorted them off my property with the shotgun. No one needs to tell me, they'll be back. I'll be ready.

Holy shit. She sat up in bed. Go, Grandpa Gene!

I saw the most unbelievable thing I've seen in my eighty-seven years. After I realized I wasn't having a stroke, I accepted what I saw with my own two eyes with the aid of glasses. I witnessed a man run through the forest like Steve Austin on The Six Million Dollar Man. I swear on Trudy's grave.

Putting the notebook down, she went back to the kitchen, stood by the table, and used her phone to Google Steve Austin. Quickly reading the recaps of an old television show, she hurried back to the bedroom and continued reading.

I've noticed more black vans rolling up the road every Friday like clockwork. They look like government officials. I've seen those types of men before when the silver mines were running. They're up to no good. I'm glad Trudy can't see what they're doing to her beautiful mountain.

Bonnie rubbed her eyes. She hadn't known her Grandma Trudy because she'd passed away before she was born, but everyone who knew Grandpa understood that his wife had loved the mountain. She often suspected his refusal to move to a place with more accommodations for his advancing age had to do with not leaving the last place he'd lived with his wife before losing her.

I staked out one of those government officials this week, and let me tell you, I've never met a more uppity son of a bitch in all my days. I'm thankful Trip arrived, or I would've shoved my shotgun in that official's mouth. Later, Trip and Demon bought my silence off. I'm getting too old to traipse through the woods and keep the trespassers off my property. Trudy will roll over in her grave at what I've done, but I'm not a young man any longer. In return for letting them use the mountain, they gave me money. It wasn't the cash I wanted—I want to make that clear. I took the payoff, so my dear, sweet wife's resting spot would remain untouched. I believe Trip when he promised me Trudy's gravesite will not be disturbed. I'm holding him to his word. I know something isn't right with that young man. I can see it in his eyes. It's the same thing I had seen when I served in the war, but I know Trip grew up in a time when he wouldn't have to experience that. I think the government officials are doing something to the bikers.

Her heart raced. She thumbed through the pages. What was wrong with Trip? What had Grandpa Gene found out about the government officials? How was Trip involved?

Bonnie, if you're reading this, I'm gone, child. I don't want