Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
“I’ll see what I can do. Look forward to seeing you even though it’s not under better circumstances. And in case I haven’t said it, thanks for looking out. Appreciate it.”
“Never a problem. I’ll give you a shout when we land.” Fletch and I hang up. I fling my phone into the cup holder, wipe my hand down my face, and try to come up with a plan of action. Maeve isn’t going to take this lying down; I’m going to have to do some damn quick thinking.
“Damn, boy, you been on the phone for the last thirty minutes, and now you look like you’re about ready to come out swinging.” Dad opens the door, slides into the passenger seat, and closes it. He knows all of us well enough. We’re a lot like him with Mom added into the mix.
“Yeah, well, if you had some psycho whack job after mom, I think you’d feel the same way.”
“You’d be right about that. I think it’s time you take some time off. It’s been what, two years since you’ve left the ranch for more than two nights?” Dad states the obvious. He’s one to talk. None of us take a vacation at any given time. There’s always work to be done at the ranch. And when we do get time away, it’s a couple of nights here or there. Usually, it’s surrounding work of some kind, going to the auctions, a class on whatever any of us need, or selling cattle.
“After this shit is settled, Maeve and I will be doing exactly that.” Even if it’s to the cabin in the far-off corner of the property.
“Don’t wait too long, son.” I look at my old man. He’s slowing down here lately, letting us take more of the load off his plate. Don’t get me wrong, he’ll still put us in our place. Sometimes he’ll even try to show us up. “What? I’m just saying I’ve been in a similar situation. Except I was already married to your momma.”
My expression must say more than my words ever could. “Why do you think the cabin stays clean and stocked? When Ry doesn’t need a sitter, your mom and I have no problem getting away for a while. Do the same. Burnout is real. From what you’ve said and what I’m hearing, Maeve sure could use some time away.” Dad doesn’t bother waiting for a response. He exits the truck, leaving me with more questions and no answers. Figures. Mom will talk, Dad will state facts, and then leave. I grab my phone, ready to call Mae, but I think better of it. No amount of demanding she come to the ranch will work. Instead, I shoot her a text.
Me: You get to the store alright?
Mae: Yep, I’m here. The lights are on, and the doors are locked. I even have the alarm on.
Me: Thank fuck.
Mae: Yeah, well, between you and Dad, this place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Which we’re going to have words about later.
I chuckle. It seems Mr. Oliver already called her before I could give my woman a heads-up. Now she’s going to cuss me up and down. Mae has a sharp tongue, and she knows how to use it.
Me: It’ll be hard to have words with your mouth wrapped around my cock.
Mae: JW!
Mae: Fine. I know how to talk while you use your mouth to apologize. I’ll just sit on your face.
Me: Game fucking on. Tonight, at my house. Be prepared.
Mae: Promise?
Me: That’s a guaran-fucking-tee.
Our messages taper off. She’s probably starting her day, and I need to do the same damn thing. A ranch never sleeps. Others have been picking up where I’ve slacked off. Hopefully, after Fletch does his thing, shit will settle down, life will return to normal, and Maeve won’t have to worry about a single fucking thing.
EIGHTEEN
MAEVE
It’s been nearly a week since JW turned my world upside down in the best possible way. I mean, sure, my business is still slower than slow, and I’m trying my hardest not to freak out. It’s hard, though. Whisked Away is my baby. Watching it slow down to basically a complete standstill has freaking sucked. I’m slowly starting to lose steam with remaining optimistic, and while JW has been keeping a close eye on me, it seems he’s rallied the troops to come in every day. Earlier this week, Catherine and Case came in to make cookies most of the day. The next day, Tully came over requesting croissants, which obviously I hadn’t made, so she sat down and had two cups of coffee while I made a few to bring back to the ranch with me. Then I got the bright idea to make a huge batch of cinnamon rolls for JW. Going back to his place with a packed bag and two huge boxes of cinnamon rolls, well, let’s just say I was pleasantly rewarded.