Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Everyone around here is a different breed than me. Their priorities are different,” I finally blurted out my biggest concerns about living here. “The way they see life is different. The food they eat, the beer they drink, the conversations at dinner are all different. Dash’s different, too, when he’s around them.”
“I wondered if you noticed that,” my mom said. The hand on my forearm swiped downward in a caress. “But he only has eyes for you. I worried that he was too controlling but seeing you two together has ended that concern. He really tries to care for you. You don’t make it easy on him.”
I laughed and tilted my chin to glance at her. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I want him to be my partner.” The wedding ring on my finger seemed to have a direct line to my emotional well-being. My belly did a little flip-flop as the tip of my finger skimmed the band. Maybe I rushed us into wearing these rings too soon. I just liked it, and what it stood for. “Since we moved here, he’s been a better equal to me. He doesn’t try to take care of all our expenses alone. We do it together now.”
“You know, he still hasn’t cashed the check for the truck,” my mom said.
“I know, but keep the money ready. I think we’re headed into some hard times,” I said, but that was only a fifty/fifty bet. Dash had somehow orchestrated life in a way that he wasn’t doing without. I was concerned about his strong ties to his family, and what it might mean losing his foundation so dramatically, but he hadn’t had a landslide yet.
“I appreciate the way you’ve started adding the g’s to the ends of your words.”
“It wasn’t intentional,” I said, dryly. For the entirety of my life, she’d been on me about the way I spoke. I’d never give in. Probably even dug my resistant heels in harder. Now, I had another thing to add to the list of cons about Chicago: involuntary accent change.
“He’s headed this way,” she said.
“Invite him to sit with us,” I suggested. “If it’s Carter, he’s been really good to us.”
“Of course I will, I’m a southern woman. Manners before God, country, and family.” She grinned at me, but she wasn’t wrong. I laughed, if only on the inside, staring into her round sunglasses. Her cheek leaned against my bicep as we watched Carter’s approach. He grinned broadly when my mom loved on me.
“I’m Wesley Carter,” he said, still a few feet away. I made myself rise, stretching out a hand, instantly intimidated by the man. Carter was lean and fit. As he came to me, he removed his sunglasses. I did too, only because he did.
“I’m Beau. This is my mom,” I said, hooking a casual thumb to the side. “Linda.”
All his attention landed on my mom.
“Dash told me this was your mother, but I doubted him. You must have been very young when you had him,” he said, causing my mom to beam under the compliment. On the other hand, I furrowed my brows. Since Carter didn’t linger, I let it go. “I understand congratulations are in order. You three had a big morning.”
My eyes dropped to my commitment ring. The tip of my finger ran again reverently over the band, a symbol of everything Dash and I shared. I had to put the doubt away.
“You two have the same rings,” he said, bending to peer closely at mine. I appreciated his genuine interest and attention to detail.
“Dash surprised me this morning. It’s his birthday today, and now the day holds even more significance,” I said. “I don’t know how much more the day can handle. Better for me though, I knock out all the sentiment in one twenty-four-hour period.”
He chuckled. I did too because I was damned funny, and it was true. I bent, starting to take my seat. “Join us. We’re waiting for Dash to take a break. He’s kicking these people’s butts. It has to be exciting for him.”
Carter didn’t immediately sit. Instead, all his attention focused on my mom again. “And you’re the mother figure I’ve heard so much about.”
“I am. Have a seat, Wesley.” She patted the blanket beside her.
“I don’t want to intrude, but it’d be nice to have some company,” he said. I was regularly baffled by how she effortlessly engaged in conversation with anyone around her. A talent I didn’t possess. “Most call me Carter, but you can call me Wesley, and you’re beautiful.”
My brows instantly snapped together. Apparently that particular muscular contraction was my newest superpower. I jerked my head toward my mom. A blush creeped up her cheeks. She seemed to melt right in front of my eyes.
“Not true but thank you.” He settled comfortably beside her, both of them ignoring my very direct stare. Oh no, I wasn’t sitting here on this gorgeous day with not a cloud in the sky to watch my mom be flattered.