Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 61(@200wpm)___ 49(@250wpm)___ 41(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 61(@200wpm)___ 49(@250wpm)___ 41(@300wpm)
“Are you sure it was him getting married?” Frostie asks skeptically.
“Of course.” They said the groom was on the other side of the door, and I looked through the peephole. When I saw Colden was there, I never jumped back so fast in my life.
“Is this him?” Tins turns her phone toward me, and my eyes widen when I see his face on the screen. Not only that, I know where that picture was taken.
He’s here.
Chapter Four
COLDEN
“Hello, how can I help you?” the lady at the front desk asks.
“Yes, I’m wondering if you can help me find someone.”
Last night, I tossed and turned, even though the room at the inn was perfect. It was knowing that Caroline was so close, yet I couldn’t find her. I asked the bartender last night, but they said they were new in town and couldn’t help me. Deciding I’d do better in the daytime, I woke up this morning and went straight to reception.
The lady there with the name tag Emily told me that she didn’t know anyone by that name or if the town of Troping had a dress shop. I’m generally good at reading people, and she was definitely lying.
It was time to pull out all the stops and find my woman. The investigator I hired could only give me a last known address, which is her business, but there’s got to be more of a paper trail than that. Realizing that town records are my best option, I marched down the street to City Hall.
“I’ll do my best. I’m afraid I moved here not too long ago so I’m not familiar with everyone yet.” She has a little name plate on her desk that reads Joy, and she seems like a nice enough person. I’m going to tread lightly so she doesn't shut me down like every other person in this town.
“You see, I’ve got a family friend I haven’t seen in years, but she’s not living at the address I have. I don’t have an updated number, but I thought maybe she would be listed on the register of deeds.”
“That should be easy enough. What’s the name?”
“That’s another thing,” I hedge while thinking fast. “My mother swears she got married, so she doesn’t know the last name. I know she worked at the dress shop downtown and—”
“Caroline?” Joy pipes up and I nod. She waves her hand away dismissively. “Oh, she’s not married.” She turns to her keyboard and clicks on a few things as my heart begins to race. “Okay, I knew it was close. Let me write this address down for you.”
Just as she’s about to hand me the piece of paper, the door behind her swings open abruptly. “What’s going on?”
The man that walks out of the mayor’s office is almost as tall as me and just as wide. He’s a big son of a bitch, and the way he’s scowling between Joy and me makes me think that he doesn’t like how close I am to her desk.
“Just looking up an old friend,” I say and keep my pleasant smile in place so I can get the damn piece of paper and leave.
The mayor looks me up and down as he comes closer. “I don’t believe I know you.” His eyes narrow a little, and I think my time might be running out.
“It’s fine, North, he’s—”
Before she can finish her sentence, I snatch the paper out of her fingers and start backing up. “Thanks so much for the help. Have a great afternoon.”
They both start to say something, but I’m already out the door and to my car that’s parked out front. The sheriff is usually parked close by, but thankfully, I don’t see her and make a quick getaway. Once I’m a few blocks away, I check the address and make a turn in that direction.
My heart is hammering against my ribs as I make another turn down a tree-lined street. In the distance, I spot the sheriff’s car and scowl. How is she always popping up? Pulling over, I check my watch and decide to wait it out. She’s clearly parked in Caroline’s driveway, and I don’t need an audience for what I’m about to do.
Time ticks by at a snail's pace, and finally, I see the front door open. The sheriff and another woman exit Caroline’s house, and I think it’s the woman from the bakery. Is the whole town against me?
I can’t get a glimpse of my girl because I’m parked too far away. All I see is her hand waving, but even that small amount of skin has me hard. Fuck, I’m so close.
Years go by before the sheriff finally pulls out of the driveway and goes in the opposite direction. Thank god, because I have a feeling if she had seen me, she would have taken me to jail. Something about the way she scowls at me makes me think she’s always ready to arrest someone.