Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 139029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
“Can’t I just miss?”
“Nope. But how about if I ask Rachel if we can come over for dinner and fish while she’s getting it ready?”
“I’d rather miss school.”
Dustin picked up the ticket. “I’m already going to get in trouble with Holly because you’re late. You playing hooky for the rest of the day isn’t going to happen.”
“Did you ever play hooky when you went to school?”
Dustin didn’t feel any compunction about lying to his son on that score. “Nope, I never did.”
Logan hurried to eat the last bite of his pancakes and finish his juice before sliding out of the booth. “When we go to Aunt Rachel’s tonight, I’m going to ask her if you played hooky.”
“Go ahead. She’ll tell you I didn’t.” He unashamedly planned to text his sister after he took Logan to school.
“Dad, you’re going to text Aunt Rachel, aren’t you?”
Dustin paid the ticket, reaching for the candy jar that was next to the register to snatch out two pieces. Taking one for himself, he gave the other one to Logan.
“Son, another lesson my father taught me is: don’t lie.” Tearing the plastic wrap off the peppermint candy, Dustin popped it into his mouth. “But when you do, then never, ever admit it. I ain’t admitting a damn thing.”
After signing Logan into school, Dustin drove to his office. He needed to finish Drake’s paperwork for the investment he had suggested.
Making sure that all the signatures were finalized, he texted Drake, letting him know he now owned a percentage in the company he recommended. Filing the paperwork, he was locking the bottom drawer of his desk when he heard the ping of a text coming through.
Charles was cancelling their lunch.
Not surprised, Dustin texted him back that they could catch each other the next time he was in town and asked if he was still planning to leave tomorrow. When he read the reply, Dustin stood up from his desk, deciding to go home and change before picking Logan up from school so that they could go to Rachel’s afterward.
Locking his office door, he stopped by Diamond’s office to say hi to Holly and tell her of his and Logan’s plans for the evening.
Afterward, he drove home and changed out of his clothes, putting on a pair of crisp denim jeans and one of his better long-sleeved T-shirts. He then went into Greer’s room, opening the gun safe.
Looking over the assortment that was within, he chose one of his favorites. Loading it, he tucked it behind his back before closing and locking the safe door.
He was putting on his denim jacket when he heard the sound of the alarm, telling him that someone was coming up the driveway. He had already texted Tate and Greer that he’d been expecting company.
Putting his phone in his pocket, he went outside, taking a seat on the top step that led to the porch, waiting for the car to come up the driveway.
When the car stopped, the man got out, slamming his car door and coming to stop in front of him.
“Hey, Dixon. I’ve been expecting you.”
31
Dustin imperturbably stared up at Dixon Well’s commanding body. For an older man, he remained in good shape.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“You can stay away from my son. I told you when you two were in high school that Charles doesn’t need you trying to sell that Devil’s root to him. You’re going to Hell for your sins. You’re not going to get the chance to drag my son down with you.” The deacon and local businessman who everyone admired was practically foaming at the mouth he was so angry.
“Whooee! Dixon, I asked Charles to lunch at the diner. I wasn’t planning to carry him off to Sodom and Gomorrah. Chill. At your age, you should watch your blood pressure. You look like you’re about to have a heart attack.”
“Don’t talk down to me. I’m not one of the sluts you charm with that serpent tongue of yours, nor am I one of them fools who trust you with their money. I see you for what you are, and I plan to keep Charles as far away from you as I can. He’s on his way back to Lexington, and he won’t be coming back anytime soon.
“I bet you were planning to talk him into that Ponzi scheme you’ve been trying to get any dumbass with a wallet into investing in. You won’t be pocketing a dime of my money.” He snorted. “I’m too smart to believe a thing coming from a piece of trash like you.”
“Yeah, you’re a fucking genius, ain’t you?”
“Smart enough not to believe a man who should have been put in jail a long time ago. I feel sorry for that son of yours. He doesn’t stand a chance.”
Dustin almost lost his temper and killed the arrogant asshole then and there. Pressing his lips into a thin line, Dustin wanted to shoot the sanctimonious idiot.