Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 94205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“That’s really kind of you,” she whispered as Tanner opened the front passenger seat. He reached for Flick.
“Tanner Malone! I can get up myself! You do not need to lift me in and out.”
“Uh-huh, darlin’. Sure, you can. It’s just this way is quicker and means I won’t get a black eye from West for letting you risk yourself,” Tanner replied as he lifted her into the front passenger seat.
Wow. Could he be any sweeter?
“It’s not a risk!”
“You fell the last time you tried to get in the driver’s seat of his truck,” he pointed out. Then he turned to Lara. “That’s why her driving privileges were revoked.”
“They are not a privilege, they’re a right.”
“Not if they put you in danger.” Tanner shut the door. “West is a mite overprotective. Actually, he’s fully caveman overprotective now that Flick’s pregnant. Any scratch or bruise and he roars like a bear and hovers like you wouldn’t believe.” He shook his head. “Sad how such a grown man can pout. You need a lift, darlin’?”
“Uh, no, thank you,” she said as he opened the backdoor.
She scrambled into the backseat, surprised at how clean and tidy it was.
Flick turned from the front seat to look at her. “The men of Haven are kind of overprotective and bossy. But also, so loving and caring. We live on a ranch near Haven. The sheriff there watches out for everyone, but especially women on their own. It’s a good place to live. People really care about one another.”
“Flick, that wasn’t subtle,” Tanner said as he climbed into the driver’s seat.
“What? I’m just pointing out that it’s a good place to live.”
“I know about Haven,” she said quietly. “My mom and I were going to move there after my dad died. But then, she met my stepfather, and we moved to Devotion.”
“Oh, I don’t know much about that place,” Flick said.
“I do,” Tanner said as he started the truck. “My condolences.”
“Tanner!” Flick said, turning back to slap his arm.
“No, he’s right. It’s not a great place to live, which is why I moved out as soon as I was able to.”
“Where have you been living?” Flick asked, trying to turn again.
“Flick, face the front. That’s not safe. Lara, do you have your belt buckled?”
“What? Oh, no. I guess not.” She pulled her seatbelt on. Funny, Axel had never cared.
But she knew that Axel wasn’t exactly a benchmark to measure other people’s behavior against.
Tanner pulled out of the lot. She leaned back against the headrest tiredly. “Um, I’ve been living in Nashville.”
“Oh, are you a singer?” Flick asked.
She smiled sadly. “I was. I broke off from my band and it’s been hard finding gigs on my own.”
“I’m sorry.”
They were all silent as Tanner drove. She looked down at her phone, wincing as she saw the missed calls and messages from her mother. Her phone rang as she was deleting them, her mom calling again.
“Get that if you want,” Flick said.
“Oh, no, it’s just my mom,” she said as Tanner drew up to the motel. “Thanks for the ride and for saving my life.”
“Are you really sure you’re fine here?” Flick asked.
“Totally. Me and the army of rats at my disposal are getting on great.”
More silence.
Awkward.
“Joking. There are no rats.” Mice, yes. Rats . . . well, maybe.
Tanner got out and opened her door. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had opened doors for her.
“I can walk you in,” he offered.
“No, thanks. Really. It was nice meeting you both.”
She practically ran off. Rude, but she needed to get away before she caved and gave in to their suggestions that she go home with them.
Opening the door to her motel room, she walked in and slumped back against it.
The place still smelled musty and look run-down.
Her phone rang again.
“Mom? Sorry—”
“What happened? I heard screaming. What’s going on?” The concern in her mom’s voice made her feel a bit teary. Sometimes, she felt like the other woman didn’t care. Or at least that she didn’t care about her as much as she did about Emily.
But then sometimes, she surprised her.
“I stepped out on the road and a car nearly hit me,” she admitted.
“What? Oh, Lara!”
“I’m fine. Someone grabbed me and pulled me to safety.”
“You have to be more careful! You’ve always been so distracted.”
“I know.”
“I want you to come over here,” her mother said.
Lara frowned. “That’s not necessary.” It was also the last thing she wanted to do.
“It is. I need to see that you’re okay. I’m sending Lawrence to pick you up.”
“That’s really not needed. I’m fine.”
“Lara, you were nearly run over. I want to see for myself that you’re well.”
“You could come here,” she whispered, crossing her fingers.
“Oh no, I can’t do that. No, it’s not possible. I’ve got so much wedding prep to do. You’ll come here for dinner.”