The Achilles Heel by Karyn Rae Read Free Book Online

was complicated by the ticking from the
     Granddaddy clock in the hallway, and every stroke seemed louder than usual; each second
     was clear as day.
    Hope spoke first. “Honey, you’ve worked so hard to get to the top, why would you throw
     it all away?” she pleaded with me.
    “Well, I really don’t see it that way. I’ve gotten almost everything I could have
     ever hoped for and carved out a life for myself that far exceeds anything I ever thought
     was possible. I’m proud of my accomplishments in this amazing, sometimes dirty rotten,
     and insatiable, industry. It’s been quite a ride, but I just don’t want to spend half
     of the year traveling to city after city and the rest of the year glued to my phone.
     I hope y’all aren’t too disappointed. It’s not like I’m dying; just taking a break,”
     I explained.
    “I never thought I’d live to hear you say you’re gonna retire. I don’t agree with
     this decision and I think you’re gonna get bored, but if it’s what you want, then
     I suppose nothing we say is gonna change your mind; and you bet your ass I’m coming
     to the islands! St. Croix doesn’t know what it’s up against!” Wade yelled as he stood
     up and high-fived me so hard, my head jerked back and my hand stung.
    “Oh, lord,” I said, rolling my eyes. “All right then, I’m glad y’all know. I feel
     a hundred pounds lighter, but I’ve got to get home and get some things taken care
     of before leaving and only got a week to do them,” I said.
    Hope hugged me and told me she always had my back, even though her eyes said, “Big
     mistake!” As Wade followed me out, Mama D called over and said, “Let me walk you home
     honey, I could use the exercise.”
    “I would love that!” I beamed as we linked arms and headed back towards the path.
    The night air was dark and thick, but the fireflies and the sky full of stars were
     working together to light the way for us. When we reached the arbor, Mama D turned
     me around so we were face to face. She looked directly into my eyes, put her hands
     on my shoulders and said, “I’m not out here ‘cause I need the exercise. Hell, walking
     all the way to your door might kill me. I’m out here to tell you I’m proud as punch,
     Kessler Carlisle, and I want you to know that. I’ve been wondering for a while when
     you were gonna figure it out, and it looks like you finally came around. The first
     half of your life was a great success story. I don’t deny that, but the second half,
     the second half will be your masterpiece. You go out there into the world and find
     what you’re lookin’ for and when you do, you bring her back here to meet me,” she
     said as she gave me a big hug and smacked my face.
    She just always knows.
    My heart felt almost as full as my stomach as I watched her make her way back to the
     house, whistling a little tune as she skipped along the path.

ANNIE
    J amie dropped me off at the edge of my driveway. I wanted to make the walk to my door
     alone. As I suspected, my two acres of land didn’t have the same curb appeal, and
     my house seemed less like a home since the last time I was here.
    Jack found this house in Kansas City over ten years ago, and I was floored walking
     through it for the first time. The red brick, walkout ranch sits on 2.5 acres, and
     was built in 1942. It has two creeks running the length of the property, one in front
     and one in back, and it sits across the street from the seventh green of a golf course.
     The craftsmanship and the location of this home are unparalleled, and for me, it was
     love at first sight. We’d put so much effort and money into renovating it year after
     year; customizing it to become our dream home and today, I can’t even stand the sight
     of it. My hope was to grow old with my husband here, watch our kids play in the yard,
     take hikes in the woods behind our house, and now, it was an absolute certainty none
     of those things would ever happen.