Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
But I can’t be mad about it. Not after meeting Lakelyn. We probably only said a handful of words to each other, but it was enough to know that I want to talk to her more. Heck, I want to do more than talk to her.
People have gathered around the table of food, so I walk off to the side where some of the other locals are milling around. A few say hi, and I nod at them. They don’t get mad or upset at my lack of conversation. I’m sort of known in Whiskey Run for keeping to myself.
I stand with my arms crossed on my chest and my eyes on the tent that Lakelyn walked into. She has to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. No makeup, cutoff jean shorts and hair haphazardly in a knot on the top of her head. She looked like she’s down to earth, and I’ve already decided I’m going to get her number.
“You’re probably the last person I would have guessed to be here.”
I don’t even have to look to recognize Old Man Jacobs’ voice. He’s the town busybody, usually hanging out on the bench in front of the barbershop. It’s a joke in town that he hangs out there because it’s obvious by his long strands that he never goes in and gets a haircut.
“Yeah, I know. But Violet asked me to bring some food down, so I thought I’d stick around and see what’s going on.” There’s no way I’m going to tell him I met a girl; it would be all over town before I made it back to my shop.
“Violet’s due any day now, isn’t she?”
“Yep, any day.”
“Are you excited about being an uncle?” he asks.
I tear my eyes away from the tent and look at Jacobs. He’s a lonely man, I know that. And even though I want to keep a watch out for Lakelyn, I also know I can’t just ignore him. I’d feel guilty for sure.
“Yeah, I’m excited. Violet is happy... so I’m happy.”
He whistles loudly. “Well, I guess she is. She’s always smiling these days.” He nudges me in the arm. “Tell me, are you able to get Eagles tickets now since your brother-in-law is the running back?”
I laugh. “Yeah, I’ll be able to go to a few games.”
I wait for the next question because with Jacobs, there’s always a next question, but he’s staring to the side of me with his mouth wide open.
I turn and follow his gaze and I do the exact same thing as Jacobs. My mouth drops, and I know my eyes about pop out of my head. It’s her. It’s Lakelyn. But it’s not the same Lakelyn from before. This one is enough to make any man watching hard. I don’t know if I should run up to her and cover her with my T-shirt or just stand here and enjoy the show as she sways her body back and forth as she walks toward me.
I walk toward her, leaving Jacobs mumbling behind me.
“Lakelyn?” I ask her questioningly. I mean, I know it’s her, but I still stupidly ask the question.
She laughs, and it’s the same sweet sound from before. “Yes, it’s me. I’m glad you stuck around.”
Her face is made up and hair teased and lying in soft, round curls down her back. She has on a short black leather skirt and a white tank top. Big hoop rings are hanging from her ears and a matching necklace is nestled between her breasts. She’s beautiful... obviously from the big city... and obviously way out of my league.
“Yeah, uh, you’re a model?”
She tilts her head to the side, but before she can say anything I’m shaking my head. “I mean, yeah, of course you’re a model.”
She looks at the people setting up behind her and then up at me with the same flirty smile from before. “Yeah, and I need to get to work before they fire me.”
“Oh, uh, sure.”
As if I’m still grasping at straws, trying not to believe what I’m seeing, I nod my head. “Sure, I’ll see you later.” No you won’t, Tate. She’s a rich girl from the city, you won’t be seeing her later. You’re going to get the hell out of here, I tell myself.
“Come on, Lakelyn, you’ve already got us behind... quit fraternizing with the townspeople and get to work,” the man from earlier, the one that took the piece of cake from her, says from across the way. He’s eyeing me, and I can see the fear from where I’m standing.
Lakelyn rolls her eyes. “I’m sorry about him. He’s kind of an ass.”
“Yeah, he is. It’s fine. I know you’re busy... go ahead.”
I smile at her, but it’s nothing like the one before. Right now, I feel like I’m under a microscope, by Lakelyn and the rest of Whiskey Run that is no doubt gawking at the beautiful model talking to me, the town mechanic.