Page 133 - EAMMV9covers

NICHOLAS BOOTHMAN
on me. In twenty-two days I lost my father, the ranch I
grew up on—and my dignity." She continued, her
voice steady. “But I found out, even then, I had a
choice. Let the rock crush me, or to use it to climb
higher. I chose to climb. I picked myself up, moved
here and started driving for a living. It's not what I
planned, but it's taught me more about people, about
never giving up than any book or any speech.”
She paused. Took a breath. “Life’s precious. Short.
Crazy. You learn things. Even in the dark. Forgiveness.
Love.”
Julia's eyes locked onto mine, her gaze piercing.
"That's what I’ve got, and that's what I want to share.
The power of forgiving, the beauty of toughing it out.
Of never giving up, no matter what."
I was about to say something but she held up her
hand. She wasn’t done.
“I grew up on a ranch. Me, my dad, three nasty
stepbrothers—and my guardian angel.”
I put the envelope back on the table. ”Julia. I am so
sorry, but I can’t take this.”
"Take it," she said, her eyes locked on mine. "I
didn't say I lost everything." With a hint of defiance,
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