Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Doobie is the name of our white mare. In my opinion, she’s the most beautiful, but I am biased since I helped birth her. My stupid brothers named her Doobie as a joke. Now, every time her name is mentioned, I have side-by-side images of my beautiful horse and a man smoking a big, fat joint.
“I’m fine.”
“I don’t know why you are acting cagey. I’m the one who’s like the new girl in school. Everyone already knows everyone, and I’m the outsider. Makes me think you are embarrassed by me.”
I turn to her, guilt churning in my stomach.
“I’m sorry, Mama. This is a big deal.”
“Big deal because this is your best friend’s last bridal shower? Or big deal because I’m meeting your boyfriend?”
“Both?” I shrug, checking the rearview for the terror trio following us. It would have been great for one of them to ride with us to keep my mom occupied so I could wallow in fretfulness without notice.
“You’ve never been nervous about introducing your family to your boyfriends before.”
“The last actual boyfriend I had was Tommy Fots, and he grew up with us.”
“You introduced us to that nice young man in college.”
“He was my economics partner.”
“What about that sweet guy junior year?”
“I don’t even remember who that was. Regardless, you get this is different, don’t you?”
Her face softens, and she pats my knee. “Yes, I’m fully aware this is different. My baby girl is in love. It’s written all over you. And according to Ronnie, he looks at you like you’re his world.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I’ll make my judgment. And that’s precisely why I’m here alone. Threatened to hog-tie your dad and brothers to their chairs if they tried to crash my girls’ weekend. They were itching to get a shot at your new man.”
“Jesus, why can’t they mind their own business?”
“You’ll always be the baby of the family. Things will go much smoother once you admit it.”
I utter a few choice words under my breath at the fact. It’s been this way all my life.
When I turn onto the guys’ street, my phone rings, showing Bea’s name on the console.
“Is that the house?” she asks eagerly before I can say hello.
“Yes.”
“Oh, my,” comes from my side, and I look to see my mom’s mouth gaping open.
“I felt the same way the first time we saw it,” I tell them both, leaving out the part that Harley and I were stalking to shed light on the Casanova rumors.
“The Casanovas live well,” Ronnie bellows through the line.
“Wait until you see the inside.” I disconnect, parking on the side by the garage. “There’s a reason people refer to it as the mansion on the hill.”
The front door swings open, and all the breath leaves my lungs as Major jogs down the steps, his eyes locked on mine.
With our schedules, we haven’t seen each other since Wednesday night. His mom flew in earlier than expected this morning, changing his plans to come over to my house after he got off shift.
At this moment, I think the change was a good thing because of the way my body is reacting—Mom would have arrived and walked in on something very inappropriate.
He doesn’t acknowledge anyone else, lifting me into his arms and crashing his lips to mine. The taste of mint and chocolate fills my mouth, the aroma of his soap paired with the scent of his cologne hangs in the air, and the strength of his arms holding me kills every bit of anxiety from the last hour.
I wrap my arms around his shoulders, holding on tight, and curl my tongue with his. He grunts his approval, deepening the kiss. My lungs scream for air, but I don’t care, dissolving further into him.
“The seventy-five-year-old grandma is having a heat stroke. Think you could get a room?” Shayla’s crass yell breaks my trance.
“We have an audience.”
“Don’t give a damn. I’ve missed you.”
My heart melts and I feel myself going into that gooey place only he can cause.
“My mom is right behind us.”
“She’s had you all morning. I deserve my minute.”
I can’t stop myself from bursting out laughing. “Such a way with words.”
He sets me down, folding me into his side, and turns to Mom. She’s openly gawking, her eyes wide, mouth parted, and clutching her gift bag with white knuckles. “Cheese and rice-n-butterflies and spice,” she breathes out in her strong native Kentucky drawl.
“Mrs. Keller, Major Powers, nice to finally meet you.” He offers a hand that she looks like may bite her. Instead of taking it, she throws herself at us, hugging tightly.
“I knew it. I just knew it!”
Oh, God, the hitch in her voice indicates she’s close to losing it. I drop my head to her ear, hoping to catch it before the damn breaks.
“Mama, remember in the car when you mentioned me being embarrassed by you? Well, the answer will be hell yes if you chant and bust into tears.”