Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“Office?”
“I figured you wanted to work. I mean, you don’t have to. I have enough money, and eventually the store will be profitable and I’ll be able to actually be paid.”
“The store is for sale,” Mr. Woodson says.
“Are you saying you won’t sell it to me?”
It’s Mr. Woodson’s turn to grow a little glassy-eyed. “Are you saying you aren’t leaving town?”
I look over at Chase. A lot depends on his answer.
I feel a little choked up myself that Mr. Woodson is more concerned about where his family is going to be than continuing the legacy of his hardware store.
“Easier to run my hardware store from Lindell, Pop. Don’t you think?”
Mr. Woodson clears his throat. “Yeah, son. That would make it a lot easier.”
Chapter 43
Chase
“Listen, you opened that can of worms. You just have to deal with it,” Madison says, her lips pressed to my chest. I love the tickle each word makes as she speaks.
“I didn’t open anything. The question was asked, and I answered it.”
“You,” she says, lifting up and back a few inches so she can press her finger into my chest, “weren’t asked anything. You butted your nose into our conversation.”
“She’s moving faster than I can. I thought we’d get to choose some of this stuff.”
“She simply said that everyone in the South uses sunflowers for their fall wedding, and maybe we should consider something else. Besides, I figured you wouldn’t want to be involved.”
“Wouldn’t want to be involved? I want to help with everything. It’s our wedding, Madison.”
Her smile is soft, and it reveals more about her past than I imagine she thinks it does.
Her mother might’ve mentioned that her ex didn’t want to be involved in the wedding planning, but even if she hadn’t brought it up, I’d still want to be a part of it. That man was trying to hide the fact that he was draining her dry and living a double life. He had no problem getting involved in the wedding plans with the woman he truly wanted.
“You’re everything. You know that, don’t you?” One of these days, she’s going to be able to look at me and not feel lucky because she’ll know this is what she deserves. One day, I’m going to have loved her enough that she knows her worth and value.
I press my lips to hers. “You’re incredibly easy to love.”
“Is this a good time to tell you that I ordered enough cupcakes to give this baby gestational diabetes?”
“He’ll be just fine,” I tell her a second before rolling her to her back and pressing my lips on her still flat stomach. “Will Adalynn have them ready for me?”
“She should,” she says, her eyes following me the same way they have for the last six weeks since she moved in with me.
“If you keep staring at me like that…” I warn as I pull on a pair of jeans.
“You’ll what?” she challenges.
I have to groan as I reach for my shirt. She wants all the things at once, but she’ll turn into a little grizzly bear if I use up all her energy before I have cupcakes waiting for her to refuel.
“I ordered cookies and cream, creamsicle, and mint chocolate chip. Oh and we’re out of—”
“Freeze-dried Skittles and Tajin,” I say. “I saw the empty packages in the trash.”
“You’re the best fiancé a girl could ever have.”
“Tell your mother I like sunflowers, and I don’t care what everyone in the South does. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“You can tell her when we pick up the boys,” she says.
“Do not get out of that bed,” I say. “And don’t bother putting clothes back on either.”
She laughs when I bolt from the room. I grab my keys and wallet from the console table near the front door and nearly trip trying to walk and get my boots on at the same time.
The drive into town is quick, and since it’s so early, there’s hardly anyone out. They’re all getting ready for church. I knew it would be a good time to come to the bakery because Adalynn will be slammed in less than an hour when hungry kids are begging for sweets to make it through the service without falling asleep.
The bell above the door announces my entry, but Adalynn isn’t behind the counter smiling at me.
I allow my mouth to water as I look over the other treats in the display case. Madison has been counterproductive to my exercise routine since she got pregnant. Although she tells me that she wouldn’t care if my muscles weren’t as defined, I get a thrill every time her eyes trace the dips and ridges.
“Chase!” Adalynn snaps when she comes out from the back room. “I didn’t know you were here.”
I narrow my eyes at the sight of her messy hair and disheveled clothes.