Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 154037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Charleigh’s grin was wry as she stepped through the door and let it drift shut behind her. Her warm blonde hair glinted in the rays of sunlight that sheared in through the window.
“He might have lost count a couple times and had to start over,” she said.
“Okay, maybe it was a hundred seconds, but I’d count all the way to a million if I needed that many to come see you.”
Adoration clutched my spirit, and I stuffed the last rose into the vase and came around the counter, and I bent down so Nolan could bounce the rest of the way into arms. My eyes squeezed closed as I hugged him tight, breathing in his sweet innocence as I did.
His little arms were locked around my neck, squeezing me, too, though he was gritting his teeth with the effort.
A grunting laugh rolled out of me. “Goodness, when did you get so strong? You’re squeezing me so tight I can hardly breathe.”
He let go of me like he’d been holding hot potatoes. “Oops, sorry, but you know I gotta be liftin’ my weights so I can get as strong as my daddy and my uncle Otto.”
Affection rolled as I reached out and ran my fingers down his plump cheek. “I think you’re almost there.”
I glanced up at my best friend whose brow was pinched in worry, though she didn’t say anything since it was clear we needed to keep the incident that had occurred at Otto’s this morning from little ears.
I sent her an encouraging smile.
I’m fine.
It’s fine.
Okay, I’m really not fine because I’m freaking out and I really need to talk to you and it has nothing to do with the reason you’re actually here.
“It’s about time you came to see me,” I told her, hoping she could read the rest through the tease.
She grunted a soft sound, and she chose her words carefully. “I’m lucky I was able to make it out at all. But River figured it wouldn’t hurt for him to stop by to check up with Otto.”
She gestured out the window, and I saw there were now two brutes loitering off to the side of the restaurant. It was a wonder they hadn’t had the sheriff called on them.
“Of course, he did.”
Her frown deepened, and she mouthed, Are you okay?
I gave her a look that said we needed some privacy, and I scrambled around in my brain for an excuse to earn us some. I turned my attention back to Nolan. “How about doing a special project for me?”
Excitement blazed through his expression, his smile so wide that it actually tipped down on the sides and showed off his teeth. The spot where the baby tooth he’d knocked out a few months ago was partially filled with an adult tooth. “What kinda special project? You know I got all the skills, Auntie.”
I loved the confidence this kid had.
“I need ribbons tied around a bunch of flowers. Since you just learned to tie your shoes, I think it will be the perfect job for you.”
“Like a real job? Do I get paid? I don’t have to get paid because I already got five dollars, but if you got a job, I think you get extra money.”
Laughter rolled out of me as I set my hand on his back and guided him through the door to the back where there was a regular-sized desk. “I’m definitely going to have to add you to the payroll.”
He popped onto the chair on his knees. “I’ll do the best job ever.”
“I know you will.”
I set him up with a handful of violets and ribbon that had already been cut, then I slipped back out into the main area to where Charleigh was waiting at the end of the counter.
The second I did, she rushed, “What the hell is going on?”
Cringing, I crept forward as I shook my head. “I don’t even know, Charleigh. Some idiot who has no idea what he’s up against has decided to mess with me, I guess.”
Her brows shot for the ceiling. “Mess with you? Someone shot Otto. I would hardly call that messing with. This is serious.”
Dread clamped down on my chest. “I’m not trying to downplay it. I totally know this is crazy serious, and I know the guys are freaking out right now.”
“Completely. Then I got your text saying you really needed to talk to me, but you didn’t want to do it over the phone. You should know that I’m the one who’s really been freaking out.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you more than you already were, I just…” I trailed off.
“What?”
I glanced over her shoulder to make sure my brother and Otto were still across the street, then I leaned in so our heads were close to touching and lowered my voice like I was sharing the most scandalous thing.