Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
She regarded me as she said, “I hear a but in there.”
“But…that’s my passion. And right now, I don’t know if I want to share a whole lot of that with other people.”
“That’s okay. Just sell the pieces your heart is telling you to sell.”
I smiled. “Mason said the same thing.”
Sutton winked. “Smart man.”
“He is.” I drew in a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before releasing it. “Kelsey also suggested I teach a class at the art museum on how to make sea glass trees. She actually put some feelers out, and there was a lot of interest.”
“Oh wow. Those trees are so uniquely you though. And they sell the moment I put them out.”
“I’m not worried about not being able to sell them; besides, once I start school, I don’t know how much time I’ll have to make more. I’m hoping I can still keep walking my pups. Charlie loves it so much. Plus, he’s been taking Clarence on walks with us. It’s a fun time for the two of us.”
Sutton gave me a warm smile. “I think it’s so sweet that you have such a strong bond with Charlie. And Addie said Mason spends every Thursday afternoon with him, doing some kind of father-son thing.”
A rush of warmth spread through my body as I thought about my two favorite men. “He’s such an amazing father, Sutton. He truly makes time for family. He doesn’t work late, doesn’t make his employees work late, and honestly, he’s the only person I’ve ever met who truly knows how to balance his time well.”
She giggled. “Probably because he was a single dad. It’s good, though, that he puts family before his career. Addie adores working for him. And Brody said the few times Mason has shown up for guys’ night, he’s been a hoot. I kind of think Brody and Brax have a man crush on him.”
I rolled my eyes and snorted. “I think Mason has one on Gannon and Brody, as well. All he talks about is how thrilling their jobs are. Charlie has also been asking Gannon a ton of questions about his job lately.”
Sutton frowned.
“I know. The last thing I want is for my son to do such a dangerous job.”
Sutton froze, and it was my turn to frown. “Are you okay? Did the baby kick hard or something? Are you going to throw up? Oh my God, are you still throwing up? That has to suck!”
She shook her head. “Palmer, you just called Charlie your son.”
My eyes went wide, and I mumbled, “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. Your exact words were, ‘the last thing I want is for my son to do such a dangerous job.’”
Sucking in a breath, I slid off the stool as I covered my mouth.
“It’s okay to think of him as your son, sweetie. Calm down and take a few deep breaths.”
Doing as she said, I inhaled, then exhaled. Inhaled, exhaled and thought of Charlie’s biological mother. Ashley had pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and was set to go to trial later this month. She wasn’t going to be an issue for Charlie and Mason again. I would make sure of it. It turned out she was so far in debt and was hoping that Mason would take her back, and when that hadn’t happened, she came up with the crazy idea of taking Charlie and demanding money to return him safely. What kind of mother would ever do that?
I closed my eyes and drew in another deep breath before meeting my sister’s gaze.
“Better?” she asked with a concerned, motherly look on her face. Oh yes, she was indeed going to be a wonderful mother. Of course, she’d had an amazing mother to set an example.
Nodding, I closed my eyes and counted to ten before opening them again. My voice cracked when I said, “I really want to be his mother, Sutton.”
She pulled me to her and hugged me so tightly, I could hardly breathe.
“Can’t. Breathe!”
She loosened her hug some, then stepped back. Cupping my face in her hands, she whispered, “It’s going to happen.”
I nodded. “I know. I guess I didn’t realize how badly I want it to happen until now.”
She giggled. “Well, you only have to wait until the dance and—” She stopped talking. Her eyes widened in horror before she dropped her hands and turned away from me.
My heart started to race. “What did you say?”
“Nothing. I need to go count vibrators!”
She rushed into the back room and up the steps to the section of the store that Harlee called The Pleasure Cave. I followed behind her.
“Did you know,” she started to say as she climbed the steps, “that in the state of Texas, it’s against the law to own more than six vibrators?”
“You’re changing the subject, Sutton. What did you mean by that?”