Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
I stride over, sliding into the booth beside Arrow. He doesn’t bother looking up, just keeps scrolling on his phone, his lips twitching as I take my seat. “Late again, bro,” he says, voice low with amusement. “What, you sleep in or something?”
I snort, grabbing the coffee cup already waiting for me. Betty knows me too well. “Had an early call,” I say, grinning as the bitter heat of the coffee slides down my throat. “Job out at the old inn.”
That gets a reaction. Knox’s eyes flick up from his own phone, and Cruz raises an eyebrow like I just told them I’d seen a ghost. “That place?” Knox’s voice rumbles low, with that hint of disbelief he gets when he thinks someone’s lost their mind. “Thought it was falling apart.”
I shrug, nonchalant, though I can already feel the gears turning in their heads. “It is. But someone bought it. I’m supposed to check the wiring tomorrow.”
Creed leans forward, his smirk spreading across his face, that predatory look in his eyes that says he’s about to stir shit up. “Someone, huh? And by someone, you mean a woman?”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t keep the grin from tugging at the corners of my mouth. Damn vultures, the lot of them. The moment they get wind of a woman in my orbit, they circle, ready to pounce. “Didn’t say that.”
Creed snickers. “Didn’t have to.” Judge, sitting across from me, lobs a sugar packet my way, a knowing grin on his face. “That look on your face says it all, broski.”
I open my mouth to protest, but before I can get a word out, Betty sweeps by, apron strings flying as she drops a plate of biscuits and gravy in front of me. “Mornin’, sweetheart,” she says, winking like she’s known me my whole life. Which, let’s be honest, she has. “Heard you got a new job on the books.”
Betty is the glue that holds this place together, and if she weren’t here, the cafe would feel hollow. She’s been watching over us Steele boys since we were in diapers, and now she acts like we’re her responsibility, even though we’re grown men. I can’t say I mind. There’s something comforting about the way she fusses, like we’re still those scrappy kids running wild through town.
“You still single, hon?” Betty asks, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she leans on the counter. “Hate to see a handsome boy like you wasting all that potential. I’ve got a niece you should meet.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Thanks, Betty, but I think I’m good.”
That sets my brothers off. Barron, who’s been scowling the whole time, slams his fist on the table, making the plates jump. “Come on, Arch. Betty’s niece might be your last shot. You’re what, pushing thirty now?”
I lean back in my seat, arms crossed over my chest, my grin lazy and unbothered. “I’m twenty-eight, and I’m not in a rush. You boys might be scared of settling down, but I’m doing just fine.”
Betty pats me on the shoulder, her warm hand lingering for a second before she bustles off to take another order. “That’s what they all say, sugar. But one day, you’re gonna meet a woman who makes you forget all about that ‘no rush’ nonsense.”
I shake my head, my brothers snickering like they’ve got some secret I don’t. But Betty’s words stick in my head, even as I stare out the window, my gaze drifting to the mountains that rise behind the town. The inn. The woman. I haven’t even met her yet, but this job feels different. Feels like more than just fixing some wires.
“Looks like Archer’s got something on his mind,” King says, dragging my attention back to the table. He’s licking syrup off his fingers, his plate already clean. “You thinking about that inn or the woman who bought it?”
Creed’s smirk deepens, and he leans in like he’s about to get to the bottom of my thoughts. “I’m guessing it’s the woman.”
I roll my eyes, but hell if I can deny it. The idea of meeting her, seeing what kind of person buys a place like that, it’s got me curious. She’s got to be tough, or maybe just a little crazy, to take on that kind of project. Either way, I can’t help but wonder what she’s like.
Arrow looks up from his phone, finally joining the conversation. “You planning on sticking around long enough to find out?”
The question hangs in the air for a second, and I take a long sip of my coffee, letting the warmth spread through me before I answer. “I’m not planning anything. Just taking the job.”
“Yeah, sure,” Cruz mutters under his breath, his grin barely contained. “That’s what they all say.”
I toss a crumpled napkin at him, shaking my head. “You all need to chill. It’s a job. Wiring, maybe a little electrical work. Nothing more.”