Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
“Pfft,” he huffs in response. “He can have that two-timing witch.”
I smirk, knowing he doesn’t mean it. He liked her a lot, and they’d been on and off for six months before Fisher strolled into town. She was hoping for some kind of commitment from Diesel, and he stupidly didn’t offer it to her.
“We’re going to Vegas. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to find a rebound,” I remind him, taking off and driving us toward the chicken coops. Once we’re there, we collect the eggs, throw out feed, and place fresh hay on the ground and in the nesting boxes. Typically, one of my younger cousins would do this grunt work, but with less than a month of school left, they’re all staying up late to study for final exams. I think it’s just an excuse for them to get out of their morning chores. However, my sister, Rowan, who’s three years younger, is coming home next week from the University of Houston, where she’s finishing up her second year of undergrad studies in finance. When she comes home, she’ll be able to help with some ranch chores, but she’ll probably spend most of her time working at the family bar.
“I’ve had rebounds,” he states proudly. “But it always comes back to bite me in the ass. There aren't enough options in this small town. And well, you keep telling me your sister is off-limits so…” He flashes a shit-eating smirk, purposely pushing my buttons.
“And I’ll tell you again…” I warn, narrowing my eyes at him. Rowan turns twenty soon, and I know she’s not innocent, but she’s my baby sister, and I don’t want Diesel’s lips or hands anywhere near her. He’s got a reputation when it comes to breaking hearts, and I don’t need to kick my best friend’s ass for hurting her because I will.
Once we’re done dealing with the chickens, we drive to the B&B and deliver the eggs. It’s a tradition to sit and eat before heading back out, but with our shortened day, we just grab a quick bite and refill our coffee. Before we make it out the door, my mom enters wearing scrubs, and she smiles at me.
“Hey, honey!”
“Hey, Ma. We’re just heading out so we can get done early today.” I wrap an arm around her, towering over her petite frame. She’s been a nurse for over twenty-five years and commutes to the hospital in San Angelo, where my uncle Evan and his wife, Emily, work as doctors. “You leaving for work soon, or did you just come off the night shift?”
“I’ll be heading in soon. Em and I are carpooling, but I wanted to say goodbye before you two kids left.” She squeezes Diesel’s cheek, which he hates but smiles through the pain. She’s referred to him as her “bonus son” for as long as we’ve been best friends.
“We’ll be back before ya know it, Ma,” I reassure her, so she releases her hold on me.
“You better behave yourselves. I mean it.” She jabs her finger in my shoulder.
“Yeah, Riley,” Diesel goads, stuffing his hands in his front pockets and leaning back on his heels.
“I was mostly referring to you,” Ma says pointedly.
“Me?” He brings a hand to his chest. “I’m an angel,” he protests.
My mother snorts. “Please. I married a cowboy. I know all about you…angels.”
“I’m sure Dad was a complete Southern gentleman when you first met in Florida.” I waggle my brows at her, knowing that’ll make her blush and hopefully get us off the hook from hearing her “behavior” speech.
“Who was a Southern gentleman?” Grandma Bishop walks in, immediately pulling me in for a hug.
“Dad was when he first met Ma,” I respond. “She’s worried about us going to Vegas,” I explain.
“I raised all my boys to be gentlemen, so he better have been!” she responds, then leans in and lowers her voice. “Though your mother showed up a few months later to announce she was expecting you, so perhaps he was too much of a gentleman if you get my drift…”
“Grandma!” I laugh.
“Oh my God.” My mom groans. “Just do as I say and not as I do, okay?”
I grin. “You got it. No making you a grandma just yet.” I flash her a wink, and her eyes go wide.
“I’m too young! And so are you!” She glowers at me, keeping her lips in a firm don’t push me expression. My mom is sweet as candy, but when she means business, you don’t mess with her.
“Promise, Ma. Plus, I’m gonna be rooming with this drunk. There won’t be any inappropriate fornicating happening,” I tell her.
“Don’t use me as an excuse. What he meant to say is he’ll have whiskey di—”
I jab my elbow hard into his ribs before he can finish his sentence. “Dude, my grandma is here.”