Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Emmy looked interested. “That sounds like fun. Maybe we should try that, Rigid.”
Bentley pursed his lips. “If that was something you wanted, Emmy.”
Aiden snickered. “Unless it’s five-star all the way, Bentley considers it roughing it.” He waved his fork toward Bentley. “I can’t see your snooty ass sharing a bunk, sleeping on the ground, or eating beans off a tin plate.”
Everyone chuckled.
“Rachel, the sister I’ve been dealing with, assures me the guests would be very comfortable and well-fed, but I agree, not sure I see you there, Bentley.”
Emmy grinned. “Maybe a girls’ adventure weekend.”
Cami, Aiden’s wife, lifted her hand. “I’m in. I think it would be fun for a weekend. Go see some cowboys do their thing.” She winked at me. “I’ve always been a sucker for a man in a Stetson.”
“Sunshine,” Aiden said, sounding surprised. “You never told me that. I can go get a hat. A lasso. You can run, and I’ll chase you. Rope you like a little calf and carry you back to my bunk and—”
Cami covered his mouth before he could finish that sentence. Bentley looked horrified then grateful as she stopped him. Everyone else burst into laughter, used to Aiden’s inappropriate conversations.
“I think we’ll stick to that weekend. You tell your client to expect us, Sammy,” Cami said dryly.
I wiped my mouth, meeting my dad’s amused eyes. “I’ll do that.”
Mila joined us, sliding in beside me. “Hey, kiddo,” I greeted her.
She smiled at everyone. “Sorry I’m late. I was on the phone with Andi.”
“Ironing out more details?”
“Yep. And she read the first draft of the next book. She loved it.”
“You’ll send it to me so I can read it while I’m gone, right?”
“You’ll have time?”
I nodded. “I expect most evenings I’ll be on my own. I’ll do some video edits, but I’ll have time to read.”
“Great. You know I love your notes.”
“I’m all in.”
She squeezed my hand. “Thanks.”
I winked. “Anytime.”
My afternoon flight was uneventful the next day. I enjoyed the quiet time, listening to music and getting ready to start the project. When we touched down in Calgary, I turned my phone back on as I waited for the luggage. I had only one large suitcase, plus a box of well-packed equipment. I grabbed a cart, waiting patiently. My phone beeped, and I looked down in dismay at the message from Rachel telling me her fiancé had been in an accident and she was on her way to the hospital with him. She wouldn’t be at the airport to meet me but would send a driver to pick me up.
I quickly replied, assuring her that wasn’t a problem and hoping her fiancé would be all right. I found my luggage, piling it onto the cart, and headed past security to the area where people waited for their loved ones. I glanced around, expecting to see a driver with a sign. Not spying any, I headed to the side to stay out of the way. The flight was a little early, so perhaps they hadn’t arrived. I glanced around in curiosity, my gaze sweeping the terminal. My sight landed on a fine specimen of a man, standing to one side. He was tall. Thick. He had his arms crossed, and he looked uncomfortable in the space around him. He wore a plaid shirt over a T-shirt and a cowboy hat—not an unusual sight here, but somehow on his tall frame, it helped him stand out. He took it off, sweeping a hand through his hair, then placed it firmly back on his head. I caught a glimpse of dark hair, and suddenly, I locked eyes with the cowboy, his intense gaze meeting mine. His appraisal was as frank as mine, his lips curling up slightly in appreciation before he frowned and shifted away, his profile now on display, the scruff on his sharp jaw the same dark color as his head. I tried not to stare at the size of his arms under his tight shirt. I dropped my eyes, taking in his jeans that hugged his wide thighs and the dusty leather boots on his feet. I found myself envying whomever he was waiting for. I stepped back, leaning against the pillar, hoping to witness the reunion. Would he smile and grab someone, lifting them high, then kissing them? Or was he the sort to simply hug someone or give them a curt nod, saving their reunion for a more private setting?
I shook my head. He could be meeting his brother. Sister. Mother. A friend. Maybe all there would be was a slap on the back and a smile. Or a grunt. He didn’t really look like the smiley type. He was serious and impatient-looking. I tore my gaze away. I had other things to think about.
I smiled at the woman beside me trying to keep her kids close. She caught my eye with a rueful grin. “Their dad has been away for a week,” she said by way of explanation.