Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I hung up and turned to see Mallory talking to two little kids. She laughed, and a strange sensation filled my chest. I lifted my hand and rubbed around the vicinity of my heart as I watched her interact with the children.
“Oh man,” I whispered, realizing I was falling hard for Mallory.
Making my way back to the steps, I smiled at the kids and Mallory as I sat down. “What’s going on?”
“Just making new friends,” she said as she winked at the two littles.
I laughed. “One can never have too many friends, that’s for sure.”
“This is Peter, my brother, and I’m June. That’s our mom right there.”
Following the direction of where June was pointing, I saw her mother sitting not far from us. She smiled warmly at me.
“It’s very nice to meet you, June and Peter.”
“Are you tourists? Mom said they’re everywhere down here.”
“June!” the mother protested as Mallory and I both laughed. “That isn’t very nice. And don’t repeat what I say!”
Mallory leaned forward to see the other woman. “Your kids are very charming.”
The mother rolled her eyes but grinned. “That’s one word to describe them.” She stood. “Come on, kids, let’s get going.”
June and Peter said their goodbyes and followed their mother dutifully.
“I wonder if I wanted kids?” Mallory said, breaking the silence between us.
“Do you want them now?”
She nodded. “Well, not right this second, but yes, I would love kids. What about you?”
Nodding, I replied, “I love kids and would like to have them someday.”
Suddenly, Mallory asked, “Do you think I was a recluse?”
I laughed. “Hardly. Just because you kept to yourself doesn’t mean you’re a recluse. Besides, your old boss said you went out with the other employees, so I highly doubt it.”
“That’s true. What did your friend say?”
“Georgia and Sheila are going to meet us at the hotel bar. We might want to do a bit of shopping for you.”
“Why?” she asked.
“You could wear jeans and a shirt at the bar, but I’m pretty sure they have a business casual dress code.”
Mallory looked down at her clothes. “Oh. I hate you having to spend all your money on me. I wish I could at least remember what bank I used.”
I chuckled and stood, reaching my hand down for her to take. She did, and we stood facing one another. “I know you don’t need to be rescued, Mallory, but I really like rescuing you. A lot.”
She lifted her hand and placed it on my chest. “I don’t know,” she said with a sparkle in her eyes. “I kind of like you rescuing me.”
I raised a brow. “Really?”
Chewing on her lower lip, she nodded.
“You need to stop looking at me like you’re undressing me with your eyes.” When she blinked rapidly and gave me an innocent look, I drew her to me and kissed her quickly, but thoroughly. “Let’s go dress shopping,” I said, laughing at my own words.
Mallory asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I just never thought I’d hear myself say those words.”
Mallory joined in on the laughter as we made our way back to the bus stop to catch the tour bus.
When we reached the hotel, the concierge recommended a women’s boutique just a couple of blocks away. Mallory told the saleslady what she was looking for, and twenty minutes later, she came out of the store holding two bags. I’d left her with my credit card while I made a few business calls outside.
I was stilling thinking about Chad’s phone call from yesterday. After two years of silence from him and he wants to talk to me about the baby he and Krista were having. Or rather, ask me something. I highly doubted it was to be the child’s godfather.
Shaking thoughts of my brother away, I pulled up an email from Larson. Spirit, one of our mares, looked like she was about to foal early. I prayed she held off until I got back to the ranch. There was nothing more beautiful than watching a new life come into the world. Plus, I was positive Mallory would love to see it as well.
“That was quick,” I said, standing as Mallory approached me.
“The saleslady really knows what she’s doing. I told her nothing too fancy, but something that would fit in with where we’re going. I had to get shoes as well. I swear I’ll pay you back, although that’s a pretty pricey store, so it might take me a while.”
I kissed her on the forehead. “You’re not paying me back, so stop thinking about it.”
Back to the hotel, I took a shower first and then changed into dress slacks and a button-down shirt. I was glad I’d brought them, something I only did out of habit.
Mallory walked out of the bathroom, and I forgot how to speak or breathe. She wore an off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her curves in all the right ways. It was shorter in the front and fell mid-thigh, while the back of the dress hit just behind her knees. Mallory’s hair was swept up on the sides. The back was left down, showcasing her curls.