Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
One blind date.
Two sets of friends – both in on the joke.
More than one drink leads to one intense night.
When morning comes are the feelings real or was it all just shenanigans?
This is a college romance short story full of insta-lust, insta-love, and insta-gratification. It’s a fast-paced, quick-read meant to make you smile, laugh, and dampen your panties. If you’re not looking for that kind of read then this isn’t for you.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
1
CREW
“Alright, time to knock off,” I shout as I power down my chainsaw. Yanking the safety glasses from my face, I glance at the darkening sky. The first snowstorm of the season isn’t predicted for a few more hours. But my instincts are telling me it’s time to pack up and get my men home.
“Come on, boss, we got two more in us,” Scott says. He’s the youngest employee here. Barely eighteen and he’s already got a kid and another on the way. Like many of the men in Mount Bliss, he depends on the lumber mill I own to provide for his family.
I shake my head and glance at the felled tree on the forest floor. “Don’t you have a pretty wife to get home to?”
He finally nods though I don’t miss the worry that crosses his face. The rural area means that most residents live at poverty level. Closing the mill—even for a few days—means risking families going hungry. Not that it will happen on my watch. I might be a grumpy bastard, but I look out for my men.
We get the tree loaded quickly and are back to the mill within an hour. While my team gets to work on turning it into lumber we can sell, I finish the inventory. I’m shutting off the lights and locking the office when Scott appears.
“What’s wrong with you?” I bark. “Everyone else went home an hour ago.”
“Wanted to get those last boards cut,” he explains, rubbing his gloved hands together as the wind blows. The temperature is dropping, and the mid-afternoon light is fading. He pauses and says softly, “Thanks. I’ll pay you back one of these days.”
“Get your fool ass out of this weather and home to your family,” I growl. I didn’t leave the groceries in the back of his truck for his thanks. I did it because I’ve been around long enough to know that nothing discourages a man like watching his family go hungry. But now they’ll have enough to get through the coming week.
When I bought the lumber mill eighteen months ago, the previous owner was working the men on near starvation wages and destroying the forest of Mount Bliss. But under my watch, things are turning around.
The men here get a fair amount of pay and for every tree the mill takes, two more are planted. It’ll be a few more years, but we’ll restore the damage that was done to Mother Nature.
On my way through town, I notice my brother’s truck isn’t in front of his bar. It’s unusual for him to close early even in bad weather.
He says the money is too good to shut down during a snowstorm, but I know the truth. He stays open so the homeless population of Mount Bliss can get shelter from the weather.
I call him and put my cell on speakerphone. “Blizzard is coming in. Where are you, ya stupid bastard?”
He grunts. “Asheville airport. Picking up Lyla.”
A chuckle that I try to choke back manages to escape. He’s always had a thing for his best friend’s little sister.
He snorts. “You think I have problems. Ma found an app yesterday called Ladies Love Lumberjacks.”
“So, what do I care?” I ask as I start up the winding road for my mountain. After my bride-to-be left me standing at the altar, Amos told me to come with him to Mount Bliss. He was starting a pub here and when I heard about the mill going up for sale, I figured I didn’t have anything left to lose. Funny how quickly the place became home to me.
“She’s decided that you’re lonely up there in that cabin by yourself and that just won’t do anymore.” It’s my brother’s turn to chuckle now.
I groan. “You’re shitting me.” Even as I say the words, I know he’s not. My folks are good people. But once my ma decides something, that’s it. She’ll move heaven and earth to make it happen.
“She’s already got you a profile up with your picture and everything. Apparently, a lot of women are swiping you. I don’t know what that means. But it sounds dirty.”
“I don’t care if Mother Nature herself drops a bride into my damn lap, it ain’t happening,” I spit out the words, feeling my blood pressure rise.
I spent two damn years fighting to fit into her world. She was old school money. I was money, too. But my money came with grease under my fingernails and a radiator in my hand. Never again will I make that mistake.
There’s garbled noise on the other end of the call then Amos is saying, “I’ve got to go. That’s her plane.”
“Call me when you’re back in town and if you talk to Ma, tell her to cut this shit out. I’m not swiping anybody.” I end the call and shake my head. I have no intention of ever getting near another bride again.