Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
My alarm went off the next morning like clockwork. I hustled out of bed and went straight for Zoe’s room. This was her first day of school since her mom had gone missing. In her room, I found her awake and sitting on the side of her bed.
“Hey, Zoe. Are you ready for school?”
Though she put on a brave smile, I saw through her answer of a half-hearted, “Yeah.”
I went and sat next to her. “I know you are worried about your mom,” I said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “I’m sure she’s just as worried about you. She’d want to know you were okay. Are you okay?”
Zoe’s big eyes shined with unshed tears. “I want to be okay.” She leaned into me.
“I know. And it’s okay to not be okay. But let’s try to make your mom proud because she is coming home.”
“You believe that?”
“I do. I have faith.”
This time her smile was brighter.
We were downstairs eating a full breakfast of pancakes and eggs when Mitchell came down. Zoe’s face lit up at the sight of her father. I slid a plate in front of Mitchell. “There you are, Mr. Bowmen.”
One of his perfect brows arched. “You can call me Mitch or Mitchell.” And the arrogant man winked at me out of sight of his daughter.
Tongue in cheek, I held back a grin and said, “Yes, sir.”
He came over and bent to whisper in my ear. “Let’s save ‘sir’ for another time.”
I was left slack-jawed as my skin lit with fire.
Zoe was clueless about what her father had just said when she asked, “Who’s taking me to school?” I was grateful as Mitchell’s attention was taken off of me.
“I am,” Mitchell said, getting to his feet. He checked the time before scooping up some eggs. Then he held out a hand to her. She put hers in his and he helped her to her feet.
“Don’t forget this,” I said and held out her lunch bag.
“Thanks,” she said, smiling ear to ear. No doubt she was still worried about her mom. But for now, we’d taken her mind off that.
After they left, I was cleaning the kitchen when James walked in. “Hungry?” I asked. He nodded, and I went to make him a plate. Noticing he was dressed up, I asked, “Plans for today?”
“Going out.”
“Where?” I probed.
“To the senior living facility, if you must know.”
“Your son took the truck to take Zoe to school.” I didn’t have a car.
He sighed like the world was on his shoulders. “Then I’ll take Nate’s.”
Nate had left his white Porsche when he’d left for spring training.
“Have you checked the weather?” I asked. It didn’t snow a lot in April, but it did snow occasionally during this time.
“I’ll be fine. You have a day off.” Because he’d been cleared of having dementia, there was nothing I could do to stop him.
It reminded me that I should go into town and see if there were any job opportunities. Plus, I needed to call my former job and check on Mrs. Bartlett. Last I’d heard, her daughter was moving her to a senior living facility out in California where she lived.
A half hour later, I had my boots on and was walking down the two-lane road that led to town. It was cool out, but a beautiful cloudless day. I had my eyes on the mountain when a truck pulled up beside me.
I glanced over to find Mitchell’s narrowed gaze on me. “Where are you headed?”
“To town.”
“On foot?”
“That’s what feet are for.” I bit back a grin.
“I can’t have you walking to town.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Really, now? Is that an order—boss?”
He pursed his lips. “Don’t be like that.”
“Like what?”
He switched gears. “Did you and my brother get along like this?”
“No. Why?”
“Why don’t we address the elephant in the room?”
I shifted to face the truck and crossed my arms. “What’s that?”
Damn him for being so ruggedly handsome. He rolled his lip and moistened it before saying, “How you’re attracted to me and—”
“Who said I was attracted to you?”
“—I’m attracted to you,” he continued.
Talk about fireworks. My belly flip-flopped when I heard he felt it too. But it changed nothing. “Even if any of that were true, you are my boss. And nothing could ever happen between us.”
“Fine. Get in the truck. Let me be a gentleman, not your boss, and drive you to town.”
“Fine,” I said and marched around to the passenger side. He leaned across the seat and opened the door for me. Then he held out a hand. I could have gotten in on my own, but I took it, curious to know how his big hand would feel in mine.
It was warm and not calloused. As soon as I was in the cab, I let go, not wanting to get used to the feel of his skin against mine. I closed the door and put my seat belt on. “How’d it go this morning?” I asked to change the topic.