Series: Kristen Proby Crossover Collection
Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 69686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Sure I did,” she says. “You’re a good customer, and you don’t drink coffee.”
“That was sweet of you, Willa. Thank you.”
She sets the teabag in the mug to steep and then passes it to me.
“Now, tell me what’s up.”
“My mom just left town.”
She blinks in surprise. “I didn’t know she lived here.”
“She doesn’t.” I give Willa a quick rundown on the relationship I have with my mother. “We just had lunch.”
“I think it was brave of her to come,” Willa says after thinking it over for a moment. “I mean, she knew that you’d be surprised, and maybe not excited to see her, but she came anyway because she wanted to look in on you.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
“She may not have a lot of motherly instincts, but she wanted to make sure you’re okay. And maybe for her, that’s all she can do.”
I nod and sip my tea. “You could be right. That seemed to be true the whole time I was growing up.”
“You should shock the hell out of her and text her first and see what she says. If she doesn’t reply, you’ll know she wasn’t serious about getting to know you better. But she could surprise you.”
“That’s a good idea.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and send Lacey a message.
Me: Hope you have a good flight! Safe travels.
“We’ll see what happens. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’m a mom,” she says simply. “I can’t imagine not being with my child every day, but if that were my situation, I would want to reach out and make sure they were okay. It might be the only thing your mom knows how to do.”
I nod again and set the tank top on the glass counter. “I’ll take this for today.”
“It’s a gorgeous color,” she says. “I just got these in.”
I decide right on the spot. “I think I’ll wear it on a date.”
“Are you and Noah going out?” Willa asks with a smile.
“Yes, he just doesn’t know it yet.”
“Oh, I love the sound of that. I’ll have to take Max out on a surprise date. He wouldn’t know what to do.”
“Look at us, being mysterious women,” I say after I sign the credit card slip.
“Look at us, indeed.”
“Okay, help the newbie out,” I say, an idea forming in my head. “Where do the teenagers go to make out around here?”
A smile spreads over Willa’s pretty face. “I like your style, Fallon. That would be Lookout Point.”
“Of course, it is.”
“And it’s just up Whitetail Mountain Road…”
Chapter Twelve
~Fallon~
“You look so much better.” I reach out and pet my eagle’s head. I’ve grown brave enough to walk into the cage with him, and he lets me touch him. “Soon, Noah will be able to let you go, and you can get back to doing whatever it is that eagles do.”
He looks at me and then turns his head again, blinking slowly as I pet his head.
“You like that, don’t you, sweetie? Yeah, being petted is nice. I agree.” I smile and enjoy the soft feathers under my fingers. “Noah’s good at the petting thing. I was never really a touchy-feely kind of girl. I don’t think that’s my love language, whatever that’s supposed to mean.”
He turns and looks at me as if he’s listening intently.
“But it is nice when someone you care about is gentle with you. Can you keep a secret? I bet you can. I’m going to take Noah on a surprise date tonight.”
He tips his head.
“I’m not telling him where we’re going.”
He squawks, making me laugh, and I hear from behind me, “I think that means he approves.”
I turn at Noah’s voice and smile. “I’m glad I didn’t give him any details. I had no idea you were snooping.”
“Hey, I work here,” he reminds me. “It’s not snooping if I’m supposed to be here.”
“I suppose you’re right.” I give the eagle one more pet and then step out of the cage with Noah. “Hi there.”
“Hey yourself.” He presses his lips to mine. “Whatcha doing?”
“I came to see my bird.” I smile up at him. “And maybe you.”
“I hear you have a secret.”
I laugh and nod. “Yeah, I do. You need to be ready to go by seven.”
“Tonight?”
“That’s right.”
His lips twitch, and his brown eyes are full of anticipation. “I have my orders. I’ll be ready.”
“Good boy.” I slap his ass and walk away from him, his laughter filling the building behind me. “See you in a bit!”
The walk across the pasture is nice. It’s still hot today, but there’s a breeze, taking the edge off. There haven’t been any forest fires so far this year, so the air is clean and light, full of the smell of wildflowers and pine.
It sure beats the hell out of smoggy Chicago.
I walk into the house and back to the bedroom to get ready. I’m officially moved into the master bedroom with Noah. No more guest room for me.