Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
I jerk my eyes open when Eastyn knocks on my office door.
“All ready?” I ask when she walks inside, holding out the report.
“It was only a few date corrections. I’ve attached sticky notes to all the places he needs to sign. If you get them back to me quickly, I can drive them to the courthouse and hand deliver them. I wouldn’t chance them being late with a courier service.”
I take the folder as I stand from my desk. I could really use a chiropractor right now. My bones feel as if they’re rubbing against each other.
“I’ll get him to sign them.”
“Don’t forget the cupcakes. You can’t show up empty-handed.”
I frown in her direction, but my annoyance isn’t about her. She can’t possibly know the issues Adalynn and I are having right now.
“Yes, ma’am,” I tell her, my cheek twitching when she gives me a wide smile. “I’ll be back in just a bit.”
“I’d say you have about three hours before I’ll need to leave for the courthouse. Take your time.”
The glint in her eye makes me wonder if she isn’t aware of more than I give her credit for.
The unrelenting Texas heat slaps me in the face when I step outside, my uniform molding to my body as a sheen of sweat covers my skin. I can’t wait for fall, although the temps won’t drop too drastically until late November, early December, and then there’s still a chance we’ll be wearing shorts on Christmas Day.
The thought of the holidays makes my chest ache. I’ve always spent the holidays with Adalynn and her family. They’ve never once made me feel unwelcome or like I was invading their time together. I’ve always had presents under the tree like the three Tate children. When Aunt Mable was still able to get out and about, she included me in her handmade gifts. For a man who doesn’t cook, I have more potholders than I know what to do with.
As I climb in my truck and head to the bakery, I realize just how alone I am. I’ve clung to Adalynn like a leech. I’ve put all of my eggs in her basket and expected her to keep them safe. I forwent spending time with other people in order to soak up every drop she was willing to give me. I’ve alienated myself from nearly everyone else who has tried to be a part of my life. At the time, I didn’t think I needed anyone else. I couldn’t imagine a day when she wasn’t the first person I’d call.
Things are different now. We’re broken, and I’m all alone.
I’m not a man who cries, but that doesn’t stop the taste of salt from invading the back of my throat when I climb out of my truck and walk toward the front door of her store.
With a deep fortifying breath, I pull open the door, my heart racing when I see her standing behind the display case, describing each one of the cupcakes to a customer.
Her smile is perfect, proof that she loves what she does.
It fades when she glances up to see who entered.
There was a time when her smile would only grow when she saw me.
I wait for the customer to make their decision, keeping my distance because I don’t want to intrude despite it taking what feels like forever for them to end up only buying one cupcake.
I nod at the stranger when they walk past me to leave.
“Do you have time to talk?”
“Super busy today,” she says, her eyes landing anywhere but on mine.
“Chandler’s dad died yesterday evening.”
Her jaw flexes. “I’m aware. I was going to put together a care package for him.”
I hate the dismissiveness in her tone, but I also know that I can’t control how she feels. If I could, the kiss this morning would’ve landed us in bed where I would’ve kept her all day.
“That’s why I’m here.”
Her eyes find mine for the briefest of seconds before she pulls them away again.
“Eastyn said he’d love the cookie dough ones.”
“How considerate of her. I’m all out of cookie dough. I put the last of them in my care package.”
There was a time when she’d suggest that we send one care package together. The man can only eat so many cupcakes after all.
The suggestion never meets her lips.
“What’s his second favorite?”
She shrugs as she reaches for a bleach cleaning wipe. “Eastyn didn’t tell you? She seems to know everything about everyone.”
I pull my head back at the unfamiliar bitterness in her tone.
“I’m sure he’ll be happy with anything,” I tell her.
Chapter 32
Adalynn
Just like a man to think someone should be grateful with whatever they get.
I pull in a deep breath as I reach into the display case to pull out the last of the vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing. They’re Cash’s favorite, but I recall Chandler begging him for one once when I took some to the office. I figure they’d be great to send to him.