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)
Then a fury like I’ve never experienced took over, witnessing Darla’s approach. Her body language read easily. She was after the kill. With each word, Jewls’ glow died. Darla handed something over, her lips curved in a wicked smirk. Jewls walked away with her head held high, but the damage was done.
I don’t have to hear the footage to know Darla planned this and enjoyed every second of spewing whatever lies she thought would fuck with Jewls’ head.
Pregnant.
The mere consideration shoots a thrill through me. A baby.
Our baby.
I pull up to a traditional country farmhouse, noticing a barn in the far distance. There’s no mistaking the man who opens the door is Jewls’ father. She may be the spitting image of her mom, but there’s a sense of familiarity in his eyes. Eyes that are currently sizing me up.
I take a quick second to assess him. He’s well-dressed, his coloring is good, and he doesn’t seem to have trouble moving around.
Nothing like the man described to me the past eight days.
“Been waiting for you,” he grumbles. “Took you long enough.”
“Hit a roadblock.”
Understanding fills his face. “Been using that line for twenty-seven years.”
“Your daughter has a way of twisting reality.”
The corners of his lips tip slightly. “Let me guess—dead-man walking or knocking on death’s door?”
“Something like that. You look good for a feeble old man who can’t pour his own drinks.”
He shakes his head. “My girl always had a flare for the dramatics. She gets it from her mama. One setback and the women in my life lose their heads. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“You here to take care of my baby girl?”
The grimness in his question makes me wonder how much he knows of her situation.
“I am.”
“In my day, a suitor comes a calling, they introduce themselves like a man.”
I walk closer, extending my hand. “Major Powers.”
His grip is firm and the hand of a man who works hard. “Gillen Keller, call me Gill.”
“Gill, honey, what are you doing roaming around? You should rest—” Margo’s words trail off when she spots me, and her eyes flicker with relief right as her mouth splits into a wide smile. “Major!” She rushes over, flinging herself at me. “I’m glad you’re finally here.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to reply that I’d have been here sooner if Jewls wasn’t brushing me off. She steps away, immediately reading my thoughts.
“You’re here now, and that’s what counts.”
She’s good, I’ll give her that. Let’s hope her clairvoyant senses don’t clue in to all the ways Jewls will pay for this stunt.
“Thank you for all the deliveries.”
“A few groceries and dinners don’t seem like much.”
“It is overly generous. My fridge and pantry are stocked, and the dinners have been delicious.”
“Why don’t we go inside and have a beer?” Gill suggests, earning a scowl from his wife.
“We don’t drink beer at eleven a.m.”
“It’s Saturday and you hen-pickers won’t let me do a damn thing. I’m bored out of my mind. Drinking beer with my daughter’s new man helps pass the time.”
“Gillen Keller, we are not hen-picking. It took ten years off my life when I found you on the ground.”
“It was nothing.”
Her cheeks flame and eyes burn into him. “We are not fighting in front of Major. Get your ass in the house and sit down before I zip-tie you to the chair.”
I’ve heard this phrase several times from Jewls’ family stories. It always struck me as an empty threat. But seeing Margo’s face, I’m wondering if it’s truly a thing.
“Is Jewls around?” I break in before they have a full domestic dispute on the front porch.
“She’s in the barn with the boys. She’s been out there since daylight. We have three pregnant Fillies, and Jewls spends a lot of time with them.”
It’s faint, almost undetectable, but I catch the hitch in her voice. Her coloring is back to normal with no trace of earlier irritation at her husband, but her eyes are conflicted.
“Take a rain check on the beer. I’m headed to Jewls.”
“You know how to ride?” Gill tips his chin.
“A horse?”
“Not talking about an ATV.”
“I can ride.”
“Probably come in handy,” he mumbles, going inside the house.
“She’s not herself, Major, and we’re worried. At first, I chalked it up to shock, but she’s in her head a lot. Anytime I try to talk to her, she brushes me off.”
“She’ll talk to me.”
“I’m counting on it.” Margo stares at me hopefully.
I get in my truck and follow the worn gravel path. I haven’t been to many barns in my life, but this one is anything but typical. Loud music blares throughout the extensive structure, and I follow the sound until I come to a stall with two men bent over a stainless steel table.
They’re tinkering with a control panel with stern concentration. There’s a loud crack followed by a spark, causing them to leap.