Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“How could I forget it. I wiped your tears away with the hem of my shirtsleeve endless times.” He smiled. “Mom thought I was chewing on them and when she discovered the truth she told me to wear my worn shirts around you.”
Amy laughed. “I always wondered why the hem of your shirtsleeves were worn when your brothers weren’t.”
Looking at the two of them now made me think they’d make a good pair, but for some reason I couldn’t shake the feeling that Beau would suit her better.
“I’m going to leave you two to talk,” I said, grabbing my jacket.
“I’ll unlock my car from here so you can leave that package for me,” Amy reminded.
“Will do. Talk with you later.” I looked to my brother. “How’s Lola?” Not that I was really interested, the woman irritated me, but it was the nice thing to do.”
“When did you start playing nice?” Thomas asked with a laugh. “I know you don’t like her.”
“She’s not right for you,” I shot back.
“And what if I said that about Ian?”
I laughed. “You’d be lying since I know you like him.”
Thomas shook his head. “I don’t know how he puts up with you.”
“And I don’t know how you tolerate Lola, but hey, you like her, so I’ll play nice… be grateful. You may need help burying the body one day.” I laughed as I walked away.
“I went to my truck to transfer the folder to Amy’s car and jumped when I turned to find Beau standing in front of me.
“Who is he?” Beau asked.
I looked to where his eyes went to one of the diner windows, though I didn’t need to. I knew he was staring at Amy and Thomas, his arm still around her.
“Are you stalking her?” I asked in jest.
He took it seriously, his eyes still on them. “No. Yes. No.” He shook his head. “I worry about her, and I’ve never felt this way about a woman before Amy. I had no plans on falling in love and she went and stole my heart. I didn’t even think a heart could be stolen but she stole it.”
“Are you reading Amy’s romance novels?” I asked, staring at him bewildered.
“No. Yes. Damn it, I’ve read some romance novels before meeting Amy,” Beau admitted. “It gives me insight to the heroes and helps me with the way I pose and the looks they want, a scowl, a devilish smile, or a come-hither look.”
“Come hither?” I repeated, thinking Beau and Amy were definitely made for each other.
Beau shook his head again. “Don’t tell anyone that.” He looked to the window again. “Who is he?”
“You’ve met him… my brother Thomas. He’s been there for her since she was little. They’re friends.” I wouldn’t say any more than that. It was up to Amy to tell him more if she wanted to.
“Oh, I couldn’t quite make him out. I’ll go in and say hello,” he said, relieved.
I grabbed his arm. “Slow down, cowboy. Back off some or you’re going to drive her away.”
“Did Amy complain about me?” he asked anxiously.
“No, she didn’t and if you want to win Amy’s heart be a hero like in her romance books and be there for her strong and confident and cut out the creepy stalking stuff.” I let go of his arm and opened Amy’s door and left the tote on the back seat.
“Thanks for the advice, Pepper,” Beau said and he ran his fingers through his dark blond hair. “I’m really at a loss when it comes to this love thing.”
“Remind yourself you’re a hero and you’ll do fine,” I encouraged though truthfully I had no idea if I was giving him good advice. “Ian!” His name popped right out of my mouth and Beau gave a quick look around expecting to see him, so I hurried to explain. “He’s good at this love thing. You should talk to him.”
My cell phone rang as Amy’s car door lock clicked. I didn’t have to look at my cell screen to know it was Amy. “We ran into each other,” I said as soon as I answered and listened patiently as she talked non-stop. “Okay, will do.” I ended the call. “Amy says to wait here. She got a call from Barn Book Store that her order is in, and since her morning appointment cancelled, she wants to know if you’re free to drive there with her. She also wants to tell you about her meeting with her dad.”
“She met him?” Beau asked anxiously as if he missed out on something.
“She did and she will tell you all about it on the drive to the bookstore.”
Beau beamed with happiness, and I wondered if I looked that love-struck when it came to Ian.
“Thanks so much, Pepper,” he said, grinning.
“No problem. Do you know if the CSU team is still at the gravesite?”