Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
I got this.
Moving through the thin line of trees back to Tillie’s side, I locate the skinniest and shortest—a young pine about twenty feet tall, no thicker than my thigh—which means I’ll be able to cut through it like butter.
The tree, not my thigh.
I put the chainsaw on the ground, toggle the switch, and purge the valve. I then hold on tight and rip the cord, feeling satisfaction as it rumbles to life on the first attempt.
Lifting it, I can’t stop the ridiculous smile of near achievement that breaks free as I square up to the young pine.
I’ve had much success with this tool, so I’m slightly surprised that it does not, in fact, cut through the wood like butter. I have to put some pressure on it, but as the teeth dig in, it starts to work its way through. I add a slight back-and-forth motion, which speeds the process, and in about thirty seconds, I’m all the way through the trunk.
The tree immediately lists, not away from me as I’d hoped, but toward me. In the split second it takes for it to start falling my way, I realize my game plan for directional gravity is nonexistent.
Luckily, I’m quicker than the tree as it falls toward Tillie’s yard, and I easily scramble away. Because the limbs are up higher than where I cut, I’m easily out of their reach as the tree crashes to the ground.
I power off the chainsaw, as this didn’t go quite as expected. I have to cut this up quickly and move it off her lawn, but before I can consider where to start, Tillie’s yelling at me, “What in the hell are you doing, Coen?”
Glancing over, I see her stomping across the yard toward me, arms swinging to propel her, a glare leveled right at me.
The answer seems obvious, but I answer, anyway. “Cutting down the trees.”
“You could have killed yourself,” she snaps as she reaches the head of the tree with its fluffy branches and pine needles obscuring most of her from me. “I was watching from the window, and you had no clue as to which way the tree was going to fall.”
“I have catlike reflexes,” I reply with a grin as I place the chainsaw on the ground.
And fuck… when is the last time I grinned where I felt it all through my body?
She apparently doesn’t find me funny and barrels toward me.
“I was totally safe,” I assure her.
Tillie rolls her eyes, and it’s one of the things I adore most about her. “Why are you cutting down trees?” she huffs in exasperation.
“Why? Because you want to build a studio, and you need a driveway.”
“But you need your space and privacy,” she counters.
“Do I?”
Tillie blinks up at me. “You’re the one who sued me to keep the trees. It was important to you.”
“I’m thinking was is the key word. Clearly, I’m not still feeling that if I’m out here cutting them down. And besides, no way in hell I’m letting you sell your property.”
Her brows furrow.
I grab her hand and turn her toward the line of trees that separates our homes. “I’ve been thinking, and hear me out—we cut down all these trees, not just the ones needed for a driveway. We combine our two properties together—”
Her head whips to look up at me. “Wait! What?”
I sweep a hand out in front of us. “Imagine it… we can live in my cabin, since it’s larger. And we can convert your house into a studio. It will be far easier than to build from scratch, and your house already has great light, which I’m assuming artists need. And people could then use your existing driveway. We’ll put in a path from the back deck of our cabin over there so you can walk to the studio each day. It will be perfect.”
“We?” she whispers, wearing a deep frown.
“Yes, we. I’ll help you when I can.”
“You want me to move into your cabin?” she asks, voice still low and soft.
Disbelieving.
“Yes,” I exclaim happily—almost giddily—as I pull her into my arms. She tips her head back, confusion etched on every angle of her face, so I kiss her to try to alleviate some of it.
“But… you’re moving back to Pittsburgh.”
“Well, we need to talk about that.” I dip my head and kiss her again, ever so slowly. I feel her body start to relax, then melt against me. Moving my lips to her ear, I say, “I’m not ready to give you up when I go back.”
Tillie’s entire body jerks, and she again looks up at me. I band my arms around her lower back so she can’t escape.
“What do you mean?”
“It means that I never thought in a million years I’d find someone like you. Hell, I wasn’t even looking, and when I moved here, I wanted to be left alone with my misery. But then you came along, and well… you turned my world upside down.”