Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I’m so annoyed,” she mutters. “I couldn’t have used a full tank in less than a week.”
“We’ll figure it out. I’m on my way.”
“Thanks. Sorry to interrupt your guy lunch.”
“We were just wrapping it up. No worries. I’ll see you in a few.”
I hang up and scowl.
“What happened?” Scott asks.
“She’s out of gas. She had at least half a tank in that car. What the hell is going on?”
Scott blows out a breath. “I’m coming with you. We’ll see if there’s any damage to the car.”
“Let’s go.”
Scott follows me to my place and parks behind me in the driveway. Sarah’s standing by her car, her face filled with frustration and confusion.
“All I want to do is go buy some bananas,” she says when I get out of the car. “So they can get overly ripe, and I can try my hand at making banana bread. That’s all. Why is that so much to ask?”
“She’s getting a little crazy,” Scott murmurs.
“I’m not crazy, except I feel that way all the time now. Anyway, the stupid car is out of gas. I’ve barely been able to drive it since I got it.”
Scott squats by the gas tank as I pull Sarah into my arms for a long, firm hug. “It’s okay. Maybe you didn’t fill it up all the way the other day. Sometimes the pump kicks off before the tank is full, and I just stop filling it, thinking that it’s done.”
“Maybe,” she says with a sigh. “It’s entirely possible that happened because I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”
“I don’t see where anything has been tampered with,” Scott adds as he stands. “Doesn’t look like anyone pried the tank open or anything like that. You probably just didn’t fill it up all the way, like Tanner said.”
“So annoying.” Sarah props her hands on her hips. “Now I need a ride to the grocery store because I’m going to want that banana bread in a few days.”
“You know, you can make the bread without waiting for them to go black,” Scott says.
“But the bread is better when they are overripe.”
“Says the woman who doesn’t like to cook.” I laugh when she scowls at me. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious, pretty girl.”
“Just like the mac ‘n’ cheese and hotdogs,” Scott adds.
“You guys can make fun of me all you want.” She lifts her little nose into the air and sniffs. “I don’t care. I won’t share my freshly baked banana bread with you.”
“Now you’re just being mean,” Scott says and reaches out to tug on her blonde hair. “You’ll share with me. I’m your favorite.”
“Least favorite brother today.” She grins at him, though. “Okay, you’re my favorite again.”
“Yes.” He pumps his hand in the air triumphantly. “Okay, I’m gonna head out. I’ll see you later at June’s.”
“Bye,” Sarah says with a wave. “How about it? Shall we go to the store?”
“Yes. We have that meeting with the art customer in an hour, as well.”
“I didn’t forget.” She chews her lip. “You know what, on second thought, let me go in and change really quick so we can go to the store and then straight to the gallery.”
“I’m fine with that.”
“I’m so damn nervous.” Sarah adjusts the collar of her red blouse for the fourth time since we arrived at the gallery.
“Don’t be.” I kiss her forehead and then adjust one of the canvases so the lighting hits the center of the piece just right. “All of these are incredible.”
“He’s right,” Wayne says from behind us, admiring Sarah’s art. “These are really beautiful, and so unlike anything else we have in the gallery. They’re an excellent addition to our exhibit.”
“Now you guys are just flattering me.”
“I don’t flatter unless it’s earned.” I kiss her forehead once more. “And it is. She should be here any minute.”
And I’m not wrong.
A few moments later, Clementine Bodine walks through my door, a bright smile on her beautiful face, and she hurries over to me and plants a kiss right on my lips.
“Tanner, darling,” she says with excitement. “It’s always just an absolute joy to see you. God, you’re gorgeous. Let’s have a replay of that weekend in Hawaii sometime soon, shall we?”
“Uh, Clem, this is Sarah Pedersen.” I step out of Clem’s reach and turn to find fire sparking in Sarah’s eyes. “She’s the artist I was telling you about and the reason I called you in today.”
“Damn,” Clem says and looks me up and down. “A girl can try, I suppose. Hello, Sarah, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Tanner has told me about your work, and I’m excited to see it today.”
“Thank you,” Sarah says with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “We have some pieces on display for your perusal.”
“Oh, Tanner,” Clem exclaims as she approaches the canvases. “You weren’t kidding. These are amazing, and I can already picture them in several rooms in my house. Oh, and this one of the sailboat would be divine for my brother’s new place. He’s building a house on the hills, overlooking the ocean. Did you hear?”