Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
A quick press of a button unlocks my truck. I slide inside, hit the ignition, and put the gear shifter in Reverse. I’m tempted to stay in the parking lot while I make a call to Fletch. The only reason I won’t is to protect Maeve from finding out and worry yet again. It doesn’t take me long to have my vehicle turned around and at the stop sign, where I scroll through the contacts on my display until I reach the name I need. I click the name and wait for the ringing to go through the speakers before heading back to the ranch. I’ve got a lot of work that needs to be done—the horses need their feet checked, Mom’s new adoptee does as well, and next week, we’ll be making our rounds with the cattle too. One of them I’d like to get to today. I noticed one of our heifers has a slight limp to her gait, which can be a domino effect and cause multiple issues. It’s better to get it taken care of now, and if I can’t, well, I’ll have to see what Tallulah has available on her books. I’m hoping it’s an easy fix I can take care of, a sole ulcer or her hooves needing to be trimmed. I also know the chances of that happening are slim to fucking none.
“This is Wild,” Fletch answers the phone relatively quickly. He must have his cell phone forwarded to his desk, or he’d have known who’s on the other end of the line.
“Hey, Fletch. This is JW. You got a minute?” I hear the typing on his end stop.
“JW, this is an unexpected call. What can I do for you?” There’s no annoyance in his tone when it damn well should be. He’s my oldest brother’s best friend, basically a brother from another mother. Fletch has helped Lane in his situation with Birdie as well as Dean with Tully’s. The only brothers who haven't called him yet for a problem are Lawson, Trey, or Ryland. I’m about to ask him a major favor, one that I’ll return at any time, day or night.
“Shit, I’m hoping you can do something for me. Maeve’s store, Whisked Away, you know the bakery in town?” I attempt to jog his memory. He hasn’t been in town for a while. He and Delilah are settled in Peachtree, Georgia doing their own thing, marriage, family, and whatever else.
“The baker you’ve had a hard-on for all this time?” Fletch says with a hint of laughter in his tone.
“That’d be the one. I’m going after what I want.” I’ve still got my doubts that I won't scare her away with what I want to do to her body. Until then, I’m going to take Mae any way I can.
“About damn time. Tell me what’s going on in the Johnson world that you need my help with.” After a few turns and driving through our small downtown area with the only traffic light in Arrowleaf, I’m on the highway back to the ranch.
“How good are you in IT, or do you have a guy who would be willing to help?” I start. I’m sure Fletcher does. Still, I’d rather ask before I lay it all out.
“Yep. How do you think we found shit out with Birdie? I got a guy who loves to sit behind a computer and break firewalls for fun. I’m sure he’d be willing to help out since he’s done it before.” Shit, I forgot he pulled in the help with that situation. When Birdie had been abused by a guy who had money backing him, it had led to a point where digging deep had to happen.
“Thank fuck. She’s got somebody leaving negative reviews left and right. It’s so bad no one is coming and going. Her only business is from the locals, restaurants, and web orders.”
“What’s Maeve’s website name, and which sites are the reviews on? I’m going to look it up and forward it to my guy.” I rattle off what he needs and then tell him the one she pulled up for me. I looked at it for less than a minute, but the hateful shit on the screen had me ready to yank it off the desk and throw it at the wall. Except the computer didn’t do dick; the person behind the screen did.
“My gut is saying this is jealousy through and through. She’s twenty-one, has her shit together, her business is thriving, and I’m not going to get into her beauty. You’ve got a woman of your own, so you know how that goes. Then there’s the damn thought of it the back of my head where the escalating reviews have me thinking it’s a man. It’s pretty fucking descriptive, man.” I hear the tapping of Fletch’s computer. He’s staying silent, and it’s damn near impossible not to ask questions. I leave him be, though. He’s doing his job, one he’s not even getting paid for.