Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Okay, I accept that. You’re welcome,” I told her and sat beside her. The sound of her gasp as the truck sank under my weight hit me behind the zipper, and I looked up at the sun to temporarily blind myself. Now was not the time to get distracted by physical needs, not when I might be, kind of, sort of, close to making progress with this woman. “Wanna talk about it?”
“No,” she sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it. I want to scream about it. I want to fight about it, maybe even blow some shit up about it. But the last thing I want to do is talk about it.”
“Healthy,” I snorted and risked life and limb by lying back on the blanket right beside her. “But okay.” I never met a woman, my sister Lacey included, who didn’t want to talk everything to death, so I pretended to take her at her word.
“His grandparents are trying to take him away,” she said bluntly.
“Whoa, that’s not what I was expecting.” I sat up and turned to her. “Can they do that?”
She laughed bitterly. “This is America, you can sue anybody for anything. They have almost no chance of winning, at least I’m pretty sure that’s true, but that won’t deter them. They’re awful people. Really fucking awful.”
The sound of the f-bomb dropping from her lips was another mark in her favor. “Worse than me?”
“By miles,” she said easily.
“Ouch,” I replied, and rubbed my face. It made me sick to think of a good kid like Everest ending up in a home with people that didn’t deserve him.
“They don’t even want him, not really. They’ve never even met him before.”
“He’s practically a man!” After our mom died, the grandparents flooded us with love. “Our grandparents showed up for everything after Mom died. Sporting events, awards ceremonies, holidays and most of all, just because. They filled in the gaps our father couldn’t meet.”
The corners of her mouth curled up into a sweet smile. “Right? Nicola’s parents are just hateful people who wrap up their hate in religion, and the fact that I’m unmarried and raising the grandson they’ve never met is somehow a stain on their good name.” She rolled her eyes, telling me exactly what she thought of that. “I’m going to fight them, but I’m just tired. So damn tired.”
I understood that sentiment well. “It’s always best to rest before a fight. Rest and eat lots of carbs.”
She laughed as I meant her to. “Thanks for that.”
I don’t know what I was thinking, but the words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. “Is there anything I can do to help, Bella? I know you hate me, and that’s fine, but I like Everest and I’d like to help in any way I can.”
She shook her head before she even considered the idea, pushing off the cab until she was seated upright, her face less than a foot from mine. “That’s a generous offer, but…oh wait, yes there is something you can do.”
I swallowed hard and reminded myself why I didn’t offer to help people, especially strangers. It always came down to money, and I hated how it made me feel when they asked for it. But if that’s what Bella needed, it was the least I could do for her and Everest. “Name it.”
“I need a name. The name of the sleaziest, most affordable and most winningest lawyer you know.”
Her words surprised me, but then again, they shouldn’t have. This was Bella, not some greedy stranger. This also wasn’t the shy but pretty little girl she had been when we were children, this was a strong and gutsy woman, in protective mode. I laughed and shook my head.
“Great, thanks for that Derek.”
I put a hand out to stop her movement, and jerked my hand back at the electricity that arced between us. “Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. It’s just that your request surprised me. Believe it or not, I know someone who fits the bill exactly.”
“You do?” The hope that filled her brown eyes made me sit up a little taller.
“Yep. I’ll have him call you tomorrow.”
Her body visibly relaxed. “Thank you Derek.” She pushed off the cab until her legs swung over the edge of the truck and jumped off. “Do this, and we’re even.”
“Even?”
She nodded. “Yep. No more attempts at an apology required.”
“Friends?”
Bella let out a loud, unladylike bark of laughter. “Not friends, but not enemies. Just neighbors. Does that work?”
Hell no, it didn’t work, but it was a good start. “Sure.”
“Good. Hop in, I’ll drive you over to your property, or stay back there and we can have some fun,” she said on a laugh and slipped behind the steering wheel.
We could have some fun together, just not the kind of fun she was talking about.