Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Cleo laughed. “I can’t believe how many kids your brothers have now. It’s kind of crazy. Everyone’s got babies. I heard Stef and Jen are trying for another one, and Nell is pregnant again. I think I should protest her. After all those lectures…”
Brooke had to laugh because she remembered those lectures, too. “I think she would probably get teary and say she’d done the right thing.” Brooke sobered. “I think it was an oops, from what Rachel told me. We should probably let it go. I assure you those kids will grow up with the smallest carbon footprint possible.”
Cleo settled her bag over her shoulder. “I’m directing the drama at the rep theater this year.”
The Bliss Repertory Theater had been around since shortly after the town was established. They ran three shows in rotation all summer long. A comedy. A drama. A musical.
Her brothers would take her to every show during the summers. Max would almost always fall asleep, and she was certain Rye hadn’t loved them all—not a big theater person—but they never failed. Her heart squeezed with the memories.
Cleo’s expression had taken on a distinctly thoughtful air. She looked down at her watch. “Hey, you could be the answer to my prayers. How long are you here?”
Forever. A few days. It could be anything. “At least a couple of weeks. I’m kind of on a sabbatical.”
If by sabbatical she meant fired and blackballed across the industry…
“I’ve got a rehearsal in a couple of minutes, but I would love to talk to you about something. Any chance you could have a drink with me? The cast is celebrating a birthday tonight at Hell on Wheels. We would love to see you.”
What else was she doing? Brooding. She could do that any time. Railing at fate. Also something she could put off in favor of drinking too much and making some truly bad decisions. If she’d said Trio, it might have been an easy no. Zane Hollister ran Trio, and despite the fact that he hadn’t been around when she was a child, he kind of acted like an overprotective uncle. Sawyer Hathaway, who owned and ran Hell on Wheels, had been around for her childhood. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but he also wouldn’t call her brothers if she ended up crying in the bathroom.
“Yeah, that sounds great. I would love to meet the cast. It’s been a long time since I got to enjoy a season,” she said.
Cleo smiled brightly, an air of odd relief about her. “Excellent. Drinks are totally on me. We’re going to meet around nine. Come with an open mind. It’s good to see you.”
And she was gone.
Why did she need an open mind?
It was a mystery and one she could solve.
She washed her hands and took a long breath. Smile.
Everything was fine.
* * * *
Shane sat back and tried not to give away the fact that his whole body had gone on full alert the minute that girl walked into the café hauling that big old suitcase behind her.
Really big suitcase. The last time she’d been in town she’d used a carry-on.
It was creepy stalker shit that he knew that, but he couldn’t help it. He’d been looking for any excuse to get close to her, and he had been prepared to carry whatever luggage she had.
Thanks so much. That’s so sweet of you, but I’m leaving for home in a couple of days. I need to spend as much time with my family as possible.
And yet he’d caught her watching them. Even after she’d turned them down at the Christmas party. When she’d danced with him, he hadn’t felt like she was trying to stay away from him. Her body had brushed against his, and they’d had a magical moment when she looked up and her mouth had opened slightly and he’d almost kissed her.
Brooke Harper didn’t look toward the back of the café. Her whole attention was on her brothers, who sat on the other side.
“What exactly are we going to do until they finish up?” Bay had his back to the door. “I can’t drink anymore coffee, and if I stuff another piece of pie in, Trev is going to make a joke about me being tubby. You know not all of us have ex-NFL quarterback metabolisms.”
Trev McNamara was actually the best boss they’d ever had. Well, he and his partner were. The Circle G was run by Trev McNamara and James Glen. Trev had bought into the ranch years back after his NFL career had ended in scandal and he’d moved from Texas to Colorado, bringing along his wife, Beth, and partner, Bo O’Malley. Bo preferred working the ranch to dealing with the business side of things. Bo was great, but Shane wouldn’t call him a boss.