Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
There’s a moment of static, and then a woman’s voice responds, “Ten-four. Uh, Leeson? Did you say Roy Laurier?”
“Yeah, Denice. Send a car,” he snaps before sighing and looking at the ceiling. I don’t think he planned on his day going like this when he put on his badge this morning. Me either, asshole. “Turn around,” he tells me again.
I comply this time, giving the deputy my back and hands while giving Hope my attention. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers, placing a peck on my cheek as she wraps her arms around my neck like she can keep me here and safe by her will alone.
“Not the first time I’ve been cuffed, Hope. Probably not the last either. You wanna try them? We could, if you want; maybe when you come to California?” I tease, letting sparkles into my eyes and filthy, sexy suggestion into my voice. I’m trying to distract her from what’s happening behind me, not wanting her to worry. If she can be thinking about sex, about visiting me, about anything in the world that’s not me getting pushed into a cop car, it’s for the best.
She forces out a laugh, but it’s joyless as a single tear slips out of her eye to roll down her cheek.
“What the hell? You’re not going to California. Hope!” Roy shouldn’t be listening if he’s going to get all up in his feelings about our plans. And he really shouldn’t say her name with a power he no longer holds over her. I pin her with my gaze, willing her to be strong. But also, pleading with her not to punch the asshole, because I haven’t forgotten that she says she can pack a wallop of her own. There’s no need for both of us to get arrested.
She moves past me, pointing at Roy with a sharp, accusing finger. “I will never forgive you for this, Roy Laurier. I was trying to be nice because I understand that you’re hurting and it’s my fault. I’m truly sorry for that. Hurting you was never my intention. But this?” She swings that finger my way, telling him, “You don’t get to ruin the rest of my life because I can’t meet the expectations you had for me. I’m not the girl you thought I was. Hell, I’m not the girl I thought I was. I’ve changed. I don’t know when it happened, but it did, and I can’t go back now. I don’t want to. I want more. I want different. Maybe for the first time ever, I want to choose me.” She slaps her palm to her chest, emphasizing her choice. “So all those ideas you had about me, about us? Let them go, Roy. I already have.” Her voice is barely a whisper at the end as angry tears roll down her face. That’s been building up for a long time, and she’s desperately needed that release.
She whirls back to me, effectively dismissing Roy, and grabs my T-shirt, yanking me down to smash her lips to mine in a fierce kiss of defiance, despite the fact that I probably still taste of copper. “I’ll fix this,” she vows. “Deputy Leeson, I’ll be in touch to get Ben out on bail or bond or whatever it’s called.” She waves her hand like she’s quoting from a TV show, not from any experience in dealing with anyone she’s known actually getting arrested.
Hope’s trying to hold strong, but she’s wringing her hands as I’m escorted out of the restaurant. On the sidewalk outside, Deputy Leeson seems exasperated as he grumbles, “Damn it, Taylor. Why’d you have to come screw up this town? You could’ve done the tourist thing any-damn-where along the creek or on the other side of the lake, and none of this would’ve happened.”
Maybe he’s right. Or maybe there was a little fate, a bit of magic, and a sprinkle of destiny all guiding a piss-poor, drunken throw of a dart that brought me to that spot in the woods, on that particular day, at that specific time, to look for a titmouse and instead find Hope.
And hope.
Another SUV rolls up and a deputy gets out. “Leeson, did I hear you calling for backup to arrest Roy?” He looks incredulous that anybody would have the gumption to say that, much less consider actually doing it.
“Not arrest, Eli. Just questioning them to figure things out.” The other officer’s face shows that he’s not on board with that plan either. “Fine, you take this one down. I’ll grab Roy.”
With that, Leeson pushes me toward Deputy Eli, who looks downright relieved to be dealing with me instead. “Come on, let’s go.”
The drive is quiet for a few minutes, and then the officer’s phone rings. He holds it to his ear while still driving, which is probably illegal, but I’m in no situation to argue. “Yeah, it’s true,” he tells the caller.