Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
And glasses were expensive. Something she hadn’t been sure how she would pay for.
“Yep. I thought you looked adorable. Like a sexy little secretary,” he whispered, making her giggle.
All right. She supposed she could rock that look.
“I’m still not sure I like them.”
“At least you only need them for reading and working on the computer. And for driving.”
“I don’t see why I need them for driving. I’m far-sighted.”
“Yes, but the optometrist said it can be different for different people. And frankly, I don’t see how you can drive that badly and not need glasses.”
“Hey!” She slapped his chest as he grinned down at her. “You’re so mean.”
A laugh escaped him. “Sorry, baby girl. Until they come in, though, you need to be careful. Not too much reading or work or you’re going to get headaches and eye strain.”
“I’ve managed for this long, so I don’t see how another week without glasses matters.”
“It does matter, and you will ease up on your workload,” he warned, patting her bottom.
Yikes. She glanced around. There were several other people in the shop, but luckily none of them seemed to be paying them much mind.
She heaved out a big sigh. “You’re not the boss of me, Daddy.”
“Uh, you want to think about that again, Little girl?”
What? Huh.
Oh, drat.
That’s right. He was the boss.
“I’d like to retract that statement.”
He chuckled. “I thought that might be the case. Now, what flavor do you want?”
“Any flavor?”
“Yep. You were a very brave girl and you deserve a treat.”
“But I don’t know if I can choose just one.”
“What do you like the look of?”
“That one and that one and that one.” She was aware of the woman behind the freezer staring at them, waiting.
“Oh. My. God.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“There’s donut ice cream.” She grabbed hold of his arm. “Donut ice cream.”
“Look, are you going to make up your mind soon?” the woman sniped. “You’re holding everyone up.”
She startled. They were? Oh no. Then she glanced behind them. There was a woman with a small boy. She was pointing out the different flavors to him. She glanced up at the server’s words with a small smile. “Oh, don’t worry about us. It’s going to take Harvey a while to choose.”
“Me too.”
The server sighed. “Yes, but he’s four and you’re old.”
Greer stared at the other woman in shock. Actually, she didn’t seem all that old. Maybe eighteen or nineteen. And she wasn’t even looking at Greer. Nope, her gaze was fixated on Hack.
Right. She got it.
“Excuse me?” Hack said in a dark voice. “What did you just say?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” The girl placed her hand on her chest. “I didn’t mean to offend you. You’re so kind to bring your sister out with you. Is she a bit . . . special or something?” She sent Greer a look filled with fake pity. Was this girl for real?
She couldn’t . . . she . . . this girl was out of her mind.
Hack put his arm around Greer, pulling her close. “Actually, she’s my girlfriend. And I don’t put up with anyone talking badly about her. I wouldn’t count on having this job for much longer if I were you. Come on, baby girl. We’re going elsewhere.”
“So are we,” the woman behind them with the little boy said, following them out the door. “What a rude girl. I’m going to complain to the manager. Are you all right? I always find it hard when someone is rude like that.” She gave Greer a small smile.
“But, Mama, I wanted ice cream,” the little boy said.
“Good manners are more important than ice cream.” She waved at them both as they walked off.
“Come on, let’s go find somewhere else to get you a treat,” Hack said.
“Actually, I think I just want to go home.”
“Hey,” he said quietly, grasping hold of her chin to tilt her face back. “Don’t let that bitch ruin your day.”
“I won’t.” Although, she really wished she’d had the courage to snap back at the other woman. She’d just frozen. Her brain had stopped working. And now she felt tired and out-of-sorts. “But you’ve got ice cream at home, right?”
“Actually, I don’t think I do.”
Her eyes widened. “What? That’s terrible!”
“Let’s pick up some ice cream on the way home. I’ll make you a sundae and we can watch cartoons. Or build a fort.”
“You know how to build a fort, Daddy?” she asked.
“I’ll have you know that I’m the best fort builder in the whole of Billings. Maybe even the whole of Montana.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but we might have to stop for some fort building supplies. I have an idea.”
Two hours later, with her tummy happily filled with ice cream, Greer stood and stared at the most amazing fort she’d ever seen in her life.
Only . . . it wasn’t really a fort. It was more like . . .