Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
I borrow against my rent money with my gut churning. Meanwhile, I’m on the phone to Mama and reassuring her it’s fine. “I had a little in savings. You just help Wendy and don’t worry about it.”
After the online transfer is done, I see Micah’s post again. Screw it. I’ll find a way to be around him and stay professional. My siblings are counting on me, and I won’t disappoint them.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I hitch a ride from Walker to the Kringle Ranch. He used to be the grumpiest cowboy then he fell in love with Jenna from the Feed & Seed store. The way he looks at her, you’d think she’s responsible for making sure the sun rises every morning. I want a man to look at me that way one day. I wish that man could be Micah but that won’t ever happen now.
When I arrive at the ranch, part of me regrets not calling ahead, but I was afraid I would lose my nerve and never show up. The farm is huge and sprawling. There’s an old barn, a gift shop, and a long train decorated like a locomotive delivering toys. To the south of that is a home. Beyond the home, miles and miles of forest. A closer look has me realizing it’s the area where the trees are grown.
“This may have been a bad idea,” I mutter under my breath as I survey the buildings, trying to decide which one Micah might be in. I don’t even know where to go first.
“That’s how all my best stories start,” a deep voice says.
I turn to see Ledger Kringle. He’s always hanging out with Peyton, the bartender from Liquid Courage. He pulls off his cream-colored Stetson and gives me an apologetic glance. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. What can I do for you?”
“I’m looking for Micah. About the nanny position.”
He looks me up and down, a grin spreading over his face. “I’ll take you to him.”
I walk beside him as we take a winding path toward a big building.
“How long has the Kringle Ranch been in your family?” I ask Ledger as I try to keep up with him. He’s so long-legged that it’s hard for me.
He notices and slows his stride. “I don’t reckon I know. A few generations, I suppose. The Kringles adopted me when I was about fifteen. Just like they did Micah and Cassie.”
Weird, I didn’t know they weren’t all siblings. They always act like it every time I see them together. They’re always bickering and teasing each other and laughing. It makes me miss my family.
Leaving our little town in Georgia was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There wasn’t enough money for all of us to go. So, Mama scraped together enough cash to buy me a bus ticket.
I’ve been on my own ever since, bouncing from town to town. Courage County is the place I’ve stayed at the longest but if Micah doesn’t hire me, I might have to find somewhere new. The thought of leaving this warm community makes my heart hurt. It has nothing to do with a certain gruff cowboy.
Ledger stops in front of a brick building that’s small but neatly kept with window boxes out front. There are even seasonal plants in them. He knocks once on the red door before he’s pushing inside and gesturing for me to follow.
“Hey, Micah,” he calls. “Found a pretty little thing on the path here.”
Micah looks up from his desk. It’s cluttered with paperwork all around him. He’s got Abby in one arm while cradling a phone between his shoulder and his head. The dark circles under his eyes tell me that he hasn’t been sleeping well. I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise given that he’s just become a new father. But the sight makes me want to go to him. I want to brush the dark hair from his eyes and reassure him that he’s not alone anymore.
With a muttered curse, he ends the phone call and glares at his brother. “What the duck is she doing here?”
Ledger shrugs but the entire time, he looks like the cat who ate the canary. “I don’t know. I was too distracted by how pretty she is to ask her. Maybe you should.”
Something dark and possessive crosses Micah’s features. “Out. Now.”
I take two quick steps backward, prepared to flee his wrath. “No, not you. You stay. Ledge is leaving.”
Ledger tips his head toward me, amusement still on his face. “Seems my work is done. Good luck with grumpy pants here.”
Micah growls. He actually growls at Ledger.
But his brother just laughs as he takes three long strides to the door. “See you soon.”
The moment we’re alone, Micah’s scowl only deepens. “Ignore Ledger. He’s...well, he’s Ledger.”