Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
The door to the store opened and the bell rang as Palmer came walking in. “Did you see the article today?”
I nodded. “I did!”
Palmer pulled the newspaper out of her jacket and flipped it open. “I have to read it out loud. I’ve never laughed so hard in my entire life!”
* * *
THE SEASIDE CHRONICLE
November 17, 2022
MASTER BAITER
Seasiders,
Our runner-up for Catch of the Season, and our now-default winner because the real winner went off and got married, ran into a bit of trouble this past week.
I was told from some reliable seagulls at the marina that Mr. Braxton Bradley was attempting to show off for some clients (female, I might add) and ran into a bit of bad luck. You see, he fell off his own boat. The boat he charters to take people out to fish. The man responsible for keeping people safe on the high seas…fell off his own boat. I don’t know about you, but I hope those ladies demanded a refund.
Word on the docks is that Braxton tripped and twisted his ankle, which caused him to fall in. This writer believes it was something simpler.
Karma.
After all, there’s a reason Mr. Bradley was the runner-up for Catch of the Season. One has to wonder what he’s doing with his free time at home these next few days.
I’m just saying…
Fair winds and following seas!
* * *
Once Palmer finished reading, we both started to laugh.
“I think my favorite part is the title of the article,” she said. “Master Baiter! This person really doesn’t like Brax!”
I wiped the tears away as I attempted to draw in a breath. Once I had the giggles under control, I let out a long sigh. “Oh, man. Brody and I laughed our asses off this morning when we read that. Has anyone heard from Brax since it came out?”
Palmer giggled again. “I texted him after I read it, but he didn’t text back.”
“What did you text him?”
She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing again. She pulled out her phone and hit a few things, then turned it for me to see.
It was a text that asked, “Are you busy?” And under it was a gif of what looked like a guy jacking off.
“Palmer! You did not!”
She started to laugh. “I did! Needless to say, he still hasn’t responded.”
“Poor Brax. Brody sent him a ‘how to masturbate without hurting yourself or anyone around you’ article after he saw that.”
Palmer started to laugh all over again. The bell above the door rang and Harlee walked in. She took one look at us—and cracked up too.
“I take it you read the article?” I managed to get out while I was laughing.
“It was the first thing I read this morning. I think the writer of this article and I should meet. We could be BFFs.”
We all started to laugh again until I couldn’t breathe.
“I needed that,” Palmer said with a sigh.
“Hey, what’s going on with you and the nanny job?” I asked as I followed Harlee back to my office. She put her purse in the locked drawer while I took mine out. She was going to close the store for me today, so I could have the afternoon off.
“I just don’t know if I can give up my other jobs,” Palmer said. “I love working at the vet clinic, and I value my days at the pet shelter. I mean, I could still do a few hours at either place in the morning, since Charlie’s in school. The poop-scooping business isn’t a big deal. I can schedule that on the weekends.”
Harlee leaned against the doorframe. “It sounds like you’ve been thinking about it, at least.”
Palmer nodded. “I have. It’s a steady paycheck, and it could be fun. The only problem is…Charlie’s dad.”
I raised my brow. “You don’t like him?”
“Addie said he’s one of the nicest guys she’s ever met,” Harlee added.
“Oh, I like him. That’s the problem. Have the two of you seen the man? He’s hot as hell, and he has an amazing body. But do I really want to work for a man I’m physically attracted to?”
“I thought you swore off all men?” I asked with a wink.
“I have,” Palmer returned. “But after Addie and Gannon’s reception when we went to the bar to talk, my mind was…well, let’s just say I wasn’t thinking of fun games to play with Charlie. More like the fun games I wanted to play with his father.”
Harlee and I both laughed.
Palmer frowned. “So you see, I really don’t think it would be a good idea. Besides, I heard he’s found someone else.”
“What?” Harlee asked. “He hired someone?”
“Addie said he hired a high school student to help him out.”
“For now,” I added. “He needed someone quickly, but according to Addie, it’s only temporary. He’s still hoping to hire a permanent nanny.”