Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
I had a moment’s hesitation once I was there, but shored myself up and got out of the car. Harley came rushing out the door as soon as it was opened and I used the excuse of greeting him to buy myself some time.
“Good morning Braden, did the sheriff call you?” He was supposed to call and give him the news that he’d found someone to come out and take care of him since his housekeeper couldn’t make it. Apparently she worked for both of them.
“Yeah he called.” And you don’t sound or look too pleased by this turn of events. At least he wasn’t running me off. Or was that look on his face supposed to deter me? Looked like gathering clouds on a wind torn day.
I planted a bright nonthreatening smile on my face and moved towards the porch and that open door. If I could just get inside I’d know I’ve won. I held my breath until I stood in front of him.
“Why don’t you show me where everything is. The sooner I start the sooner I can be out of your hair.” My mega watt smile seemed to throw him off and he stepped aside with a hand out towards the doorway.
BRADEN
Housekeeping my ass. If she’s ever held a broom I’ll eat my damn shoe. So why are you letting her in? Because my asshole kid brother threatened to send his annoying ass wife out here if I didn’t let this one in the damn house.
I showed her where everything was and tried to keep my displeasure to a minimum. Maybe because his other threat was to sic his kids on me for a week if I sent this one running again. The little runts love to come out here and destroy uncle Braden’s shit.
Not to mention the fact that every time they come out here for longer than five minutes my damn dog acts like a kid hopped up on Ritalin. No thanks. I love ‘em to death, but just no.
Why the hell is she so cheerful this morning? Had she already forgotten my behavior from the day before? No and now’s your time to make it up to her like you spent half the night wishing you could.
That’s a fucking lie! It was five minutes maybe ass hole, now get the hell outta here. Two minutes in this one’s presence and I’m already talking to my damn self.
I made some kinda half-ass excuse under my breath and headed for the exit and the great escape. Harley stayed back with her the little shit so I headed out back on my own.
I knew I was fucked when I found myself standing in the middle of my backyard looking around and wondering what the hell I was doing there. She ran me out of my own house.
I busied myself moving around shit that didn’t need it until the sun got too damn hot. You’re full of shit, you just want to go have a look at her. Oh for fuck sake don’t you know any other songs?
I stomped my way into the house and came up short in the living room. Who the fuck is she talking to in my house? I tiptoed my way to the doorway of the kitchen. She was busy at the stove stirring something that didn’t smell half bad and having a running one sided conversation with my dog.
The fuck is it with these two? “I hope he likes it, you wanna taste?” I stepped back out of her line of vision when she turned to the dog. I heard her ask where his bowl was and watched as she fed him some of whatever the hell she had going on the stove.
She asked the fucking dog if he liked it and that greedy fuck barked his approval. I cleared my throat and pretended like I’d just arrived as I headed for the fresh pot of coffee.
What was that scent she was wearing? I’d noticed it the day before, and that night too. It was subtle enough to barely tease the senses, but potent enough to linger.
“I’ve got your lunch started, it should be ready in a little while.” It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I wasn’t hungry but my asshole brother’s threats kept me in check. I have no doubt that he’d follow through.
I grunted out an answer and made my escape all the while asking myself why it is that I find her so frightening. I’d accepted that fact sometime during the night. Attraction I can deal with. I can take her to my bed a couple of times and work that shit out of my system.
But there was more going on here than that and I had no choice but to face that shit or drown in it. After my brother had called with his bullshit story about Smithy I knew I had to do something. I can’t fight both of them.