Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
I sigh and take my cups from Lou Ann. “He’s totally into you, you know?”
“Yeah, well, we might not ever meet again.”
“Who knows?”
“I’ll see you around.” I can’t wait to see him again. In fact, I’m going to be scoping him out
.
Chapter Two
Owen
I’d just been setting up the scope with rookie Officer Carter Ryder when I spotted the two young females who came up to the chairs that were reserved for Autumn Sager and a friend. The name rang a bell in my head, but I didn’t know where. Still, I couldn’t believe when my eyes landed on them, I lost it. She’s the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen and for the first time in my life, I wanted more than making my existence all about my career.
“Is the sight lined up and focused?” he asked me.
“Yes,” I grunted, my attention focused on her as she spoke to the other girl. Frankly, I don’t give two shits about anything right now except the honey-blonde-haired woman in the pale pink coat with matching gloves and scarf. Her smile is wide and her lips are plump. I focus my gaze on her eyes and they’re giving the girl next to her a glare that turns into a cheeky grin. They’re a hazel color, and I want to see more of her, but I’m forced to work up here until the parade is over.
Why did I take this assignment? It’s not what I do anymore. Hell, I was never an officer. I worked in the Special Forces while my father ran our company. It was only when I took over and purchased an apple orchard in town that I got asked about the position. Of course, my friend happens to be the mayor, and he conned me into the onetime deal.
Suddenly, my distraction moves away from her spot, so I tell Officer Ryder, “Hey, before we get going, I’m going to hit up the coffee spot.”
“Go ahead, we have about thirty minutes before the kickoff and the crowd is still thin.”
“Okay.” He nods and then takes the scope to look out at the crowd.
“I hopefully don’t need that long. The shop doesn’t look too busy.”
“Hurry before it does.”
“She’s single, as far as I know. Unfortunately, she’s only twenty, so I’m not sure how she’ll feel about the big age gap.” Fuck, he has a point. I’m almost thirty. I hadn’t even thought of that when I spotted her. She looked well over twenty. Hell, she appeared to be twenty-four at least.
“Damn it.”
“Hey, you never know. She tried dating someone her age, and it didn’t work out.” I growl at the thought of her with someone else. The idea instantly makes me want to hunt down the lucky fucker who blew his shot with the gorgeous woman that captured my attention. “Well, what are you doing? You’re wasting time. It looks like she’s off to the coffee shop.”
I rush down the escape route to make it fast, and luckily, I’m just a foot from her before she enters it. With quick feet, I scooted in behind her before anyone else could get in the way. I take a moment to observe her and breathe in the light floral scent mixed with the fresh fall air. God, I’m getting hard, and it isn’t the right time for it.
She mutters to herself, and I do my best to ignore it, but it is my perfect way in, so I interrupt her spoken thoughts. When she turns around, I’m floored by how more potent the attraction is. I’d never had this reaction before and it’s unnerving.
The little flirting is working, or so I hope it is until we’re bothered by the woman who obviously has a problem with my interesting beauty. I wanted to tell her to fuck off, but I promised the mayor I would behave. When I hear her name, I know immediately that the redheaded bitch is actually my buddy’s sister, so I limit my insults and focus on the reason I came here.
Ryder calls me on the walkie and lets me know my time is almost up and foot traffic is getting wilder, so he could use me. I pay for her drink just because I want her to remember me. I’ll find her again after the parade.
Grabbing my cup, I make a mad dash to the rooftop and start my job, scoping out the citizens of Meadow Falls. It’s a small farming community in southern Illinois that is the perfect quaint village that would be great to raise a family. I’ve lived in Chicago for my entire life except for when I was on a mission. Moving to a beautiful quiet town like this and finding the perfect life was all I could think about. In less than a month, I’ve found both.