Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“I agree with you, son, but that’s not how this town works, and it likely never will. I think most of the younger generation is better, but even there you’ve got mean girls and assholes who will find it fun to ruin her.”
His heart ached at the thought. “I don’t want to ruin her.”
“You won’t ruin her,” a familiar voice said. Pops was leaning against the barn door. “Your dad is forgetting so much of our courtship. I know Abby was older and more settled, but she also had been through all of this before, and I know damn well it scared her. Not once did your dad think of backing down. Do you know why? Because he knew we were good for her. I would have moved her out of here if she couldn’t handle it because she was the center of our lives. Don’t let worry get in your head. Grim will do enough of that for the both of you. Remember one thing. You are a king in this town, and if they don’t respect your queen, they can accept the consequences.”
Willow Fork, for all it liked to look down on the Barnes-Fleetwood family’s unconventional relationship, was also dependent on them. The two biggest employers in the town were the Barnes-Fleetwood Collective and The Willow Fork Tranquility Spa and Resort. For the most part his parents were completely reasonable.
But there was a time to be ruthless. He would never threaten someone’s job for not liking him. But if someone tried to cut Nic down to size, he would show them what he could do. “I understand. I’ll get the word out. No one messes with her or they get to deal with me.”
“They get to deal with your family,” Pops said. “All of us.”
His father nodded. “All of us. I’m sorry, son. I guess the truth is I’m older and feel like I have more to lose. Your sister already spends most of her time either in Bliss or Dallas, and I don’t like the idea of you and Grim leaving, too.”
“We live here, Dad. I mean at some point we’re going to want to add on to the house, but neither one of us has any intention to move,” he pointed out.
“You might have to if Nicole can’t get what she needs here,” his father countered.
“What else could she need? She won’t need money.” This was a ridiculous argument. “It’s early. Can we not borrow trouble?”
“There won’t be any trouble you can’t handle,” Pops said. “Between you and Grim, you’ll take care of anything that goes down. Now, I found the problem, and it could be bigger than we think.”
“You already went out to the back field?” He knew Pops was spry, but that was fast.
“No, I didn’t have to. I got a call from Jim Hazelton. He sells us alfalfa, and it looks like somehow our last shipment was contaminated,” Pops explained.
Grim walked out, pulling off a pair of latex gloves. “Let me guess. Blister beetles?”
“And that is why you’re the smart one, son,” Dad replied. “How fucked are we?”
“I think we caught it early enough.” Grim started for the barn door. “But I’m going to need some hands to help me check the rest of the herd. Josh, we need to set up for exams and then you take a shower and get out of here. You made a promise to our girl. Go and get her. Maybe spending the day examining cattle will be fun for her.”
It wouldn’t, but it would tell him a lot about Nicole and if she could handle what they needed.
“I’ll go get Momma.” Olivia joined Grim. “It’s going to be a fun family day.”
They would earn Sunday supper, but then they always did.
Josh joined his fathers and got to work, his mind on Nicole the entire time.
* * * *
Nicole looked around the motel room and wondered why it seemed so lonely now. They’d only been here for the night. It shouldn’t feel like she was missing a piece of something important.
She glanced over at the pillows on either side of her. They’d slept next to her. At least she’d thought they had. Now she wondered how much of the night before had been a dream. Not the sex, of course. She was damn sore. The sex had been real, but all the emotions had to have been one sided since they hadn’t even stayed around for breakfast. For some reason, she’d thought they would stay.
Tears clouded her vision as she realized no one had left a note. She checked her crappy phone. It barely had text messaging. She’d dutifully put in their numbers the night before at the bar, and she’d given them hers. Maybe there was a message there.
Nothing.
They were gone.
Why was that such a kick in the gut? She’d known she couldn’t have them for long, but now she realized how much she’d counted on having a couple of days with them, a few wild and wicked nights. Sweet nights when they made her feel like she was normal, like she was worthy.