Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“No way,” Janine said with a hoot of laughter.
“What can I say? I leave an impact,” Talon suggested modestly.
Conversation lulled for a bit as a rocking loud song made it hard to hear well. Elizabeth found herself chuckling at random moments at Talon’s antics. He leaned close to whisper into her ear.
“What’s so funny, Little girl?”
“That room thing. You’re so bad,” she said, giggling.
“Or so good,” he suggested as he kissed her temple. “Ready to dance some more?”
Throwing caution to the wind, she answered with her heart. “Please.”
Chapter
Three
Waking up in her own bed the next morning, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around herself and just remembered. It seemed like such a magical night—dancing with Talon, laughing way too much, and having the time of her life. She’d hated for the night to end.
The guys had walked them out to Janine’s car. Elizabeth had never felt safer in her life. When one guy had cat-called them, Talon’s look of death had made her shiver, and the jokester waved his apologies before walking away.
Could she date a biker? Her mother would be completely against it. Elizabeth imagined taking him home for the holiday meal. That would be a conversation starter.
She grinned at the thought of Talon charming them all. He was such a smart ass, but that covered a great guy underneath. Or, at least, she thought it did.
Don’t fall too head over heels.
Pulling her stuffed dragon toward her, Elizabeth buried her face in his green fur to give Puff a kiss before leaning him back slightly. “You know he thinks I’m his Little girl.”
Pausing to listen for a few seconds, she answered Puff’s response. “I don’t know how he knows. He’s pretty confident.”
After his next question, she was forced to admit, “I like him a lot.”
When Puff ran out of questions, Elizabeth checked the time. The weekend farmer’s market would be open. She might as well go pick up some fresh produce. The tomatoes there were always the best.
Rolling out of bed, she quickly pulled the covers into place with Puff snuggled between the pillows in his favorite spot. After using the toilet, she washed her face and hands. Pausing to look at her reflection, she grinned at her bare face and shrugged. Elizabeth hated wearing makeup. It was great on the weekend to have free time to just be her and not the business professional Elizabeth who she had carefully cultivated.
She pulled on a pair of shorts and a casual top before picking up the basket she always carried to the market. This way, she didn’t have any plastic bags to take to the recycle place. Elizabeth wasn’t uber green, but she did try to do easy things to help the environment.
The grounds were packed with people. Everyone was in a good mood, enjoying the beautiful weather and the weekend. Elizabeth snagged a few tomatoes and cucumbers, planning to make a Greek salad she could take to work next week. She stopped to look at some baby onions that wouldn’t be too strong.
A loud voice drew her attention away from the display. Looking up, she followed the sound with her gaze to see a rough looking man in a leather biker’s vest, standing over a female vendor. She couldn’t hear his words distinctly, but the tone was harsh and berating.
Surely the Shadowridge Guardians didn’t treat people like this. The crowd edged away, creating an empty space. Pissed, Elizabeth didn’t think of her own safety. If no one was going to step in, she’d do it. Elizabeth worked her way through the ring of spectators to the woman’s side.
“Hey. I don’t know what’s going on, but you don’t talk to anyone like this!” she said calmly, interrupting the man’s tirade.
“Get the hell out of here, do-gooder.”
“Do you see how many people are filming you?” Elizabeth pointed out, wrapping an arm around the trembling target’s waist to give her some support.
“I don’t care if I end up on the evening news. This bitch just needs to cough up what I need, and I’ll be on my way.”
“I don’t have any more honey. This isn’t the time to harvest, and you stole my supply from last fall two weeks ago.” The frightened woman tried to stand up for herself.
“I don’t believe that. I’ll just look for myself.” Sneering, he circled the table to enter the area where the vendor had stashed her extra items.
Picking up a jar of pickled beets, he tossed it over his shoulder, barely missing an onlooker and shattering the jar on the hard, trampled ground. Those close by jumped back to avoid the splash of red juice.
“Get out of here,” Elizabeth shouted. “She doesn’t have any honey! And you stole the last supply.”
Looking around at the crowd, she demanded, “Someone call the police!” Elizabeth knew better than to take her gaze off the jerk in front of her.