Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
I tilt my head to a side, trying to get a sense of this mysterious woman standing in my home.
“The world spins too fast these days,” I say with a wry smile. “But sweetheart, we never got your name,” I add as Brandon reappears from the kitchen with glasses of water in hand.
She smiles shyly while accepting the water.
“Well, I was born Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Bess. It’s a little weird because the name Bess is usually reserved for cows, but it’s too late now, so Bess it is.”
My brother laughs.
“It’s never too late to change your name if you don’t like it.”
She shakes her head, smiling sweetly.
“No, I’m used to it now. Besides, Bessie has a nice ring, don’t you think?”
I definitely do think, and I can tell my brother likes it too. It’s cute and suits her well. But where are our manners?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bess,” I say, a bit formally. “I’m Ben Cartwright, and this is my brother Brandon.”
“Call us Benny and Brandy,” my twin quips.
Bess giggles.
“You mean, just like Bessie?”
“Exactly,” Brandon laughs. “Benny, Brandy, and Bessie. It’s perfect right?”
She laughs too, the lovely peal a delight to hear.
“Like the Marx Brothers: Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Gummo, and what was the last one called?”
“Zeppo,” I finish, sitting down and digging into the chips my brother’s brought out. “He was my fave because he was the most clean cut, even if that’s not a very good reason.” Bess laughs melodically too, and as she digs into the chips, I wonder what on earth could have led her to live the kind of life she lives. While her body is every part the coy woman, her charming personality and innocent face make her quite the puzzle.
Between mouthfuls of the salty snack, Bess glances shyly at each of us in turn, perhaps trying to figure us out as well.
“Ben,” she says to me. “And Brandon.” She cocks her head to a side as she looks at my brother. “So you’re twins, right?”
“That we are.” Brandon confirms.
“And cops?”
“Correct,” I tell her again.
Bess nods, processing this information.
“But the other night then?” Bess purses her lips then takes a long pull from her glass of water. “When the three of us ran into each other at the park, what was happening? I mean, were you on the job?” She trails off, waiting for an answer.
Brandon and I exchange a quick look, deliberating just how to explain the situation. But the truth is that there isn’t any logical explanation. What we did with Bess was pure passion and desire, not to mention male instinct at work. I don’t think either of us had ever been tempted so much before, but would Bess really believe us if we tried to tell her that? Brandon clears his throat, obviously working through the same thought process.
“The other night,” he begins slowly. “We were out on a sting.”
Bess nods as she listens, her big brown eyes wide with apprehension and curiosity.
Brandon continues. “We’ve been working this operation for months, trying to catch johns in Overland Park. It’s become a bit of a problem in Sheridan, since we have so many itinerant cowboys coming through.”
“Our town isn’t exactly known for its crime,” I say mildly, “but for whatever reason, Overland Park can become a setting for johns and their girls.”
Bess smiles vaguely, and I hope we haven’t offended her. But if she’s upset, she hides her emotions well.
“So the other night – was I part of your sting? Are you even allowed to do what you did?”
I shake my head and chuckle softly. “No, that was definitely not part of the sting,” I say dryly. “Our encounter was unexpected in every way and very much off the books.”
She nods, biding her time.
“That’s understandable.”
Brandon and I nod too, a bit ruefully. “Suffice to say that definitely wasn’t supposed to happen. We’re supposed to catch johns, but we don’t indulge with the girls along the way.”
She pauses, as if at a turning point.
“Really?” she asks.
“Really,” I affirm in a low growl. “What occurred with you, sweetheart, was absolutely delicious, but no, the Sheridan PD doesn’t know about it, and would never condone it. Let’s just say it’s our little secret.”
She giggles merrily.
“Well, it’s good to know it won’t be going in your police log,” she says lightly. “Because actually, I’m not a working girl.”
My brother and I exchange astonished looks, completely surprised by this revelation.
“You’re not?” he growls, those blue eyes gleaming. “What were you doing in the park that night then? Why did you even service us?”
She laughs merrily.
“What, a girl can’t have a bit of fun? I was just out the other night for a stroll. I’m new to town, so I decided to get some fresh air. I didn’t even know that Overland Park was where guys went to look for women, to be honest, and when the moment came, I just went with it.”