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)
They never slept with a woman. They were always up and out before dawn so no one saw them.
That was what Brooke had wanted, too. At least she’d intimated that was what she wanted.
Would she think the same if it was only Bay in her bed? Bay was the talented one, the legitimate one. Bay’s birth hadn’t ever been described as an affront to the natural order of things. He still didn’t understand how it wasn’t natural to have a baby when two people screwed like bunnies without protection. No matter their marital status.
“Uhm, yes, ma’am. I do have a brother. His name is Bay, and he is waiting back at our girlfriend’s place for this bacon.” There. That was how he got away. He had a girlfriend. Well, she didn’t know it, but he was going to behave like a good boyfriend, and that meant chucking her right out there any time a strange woman came onto him.
“Girlfriend?” She looked at him skeptically. “I don’t know many cowhands who can keep a girlfriend. Not that you’re not good for a girl. No offense. Just you’re not usually boyfriend material. Does she live with you? Are you screwing the rancher’s daughter?”
“Uhm, Miranda is five. Brooke has her own place out on the Harper Stables.” It was time to move on. “And I need to get back there. I’m making her some breakfast.”
“Mr. Kent, what are you making? I like breakfast,” a soft voice said.
He glanced down and saw something way scarier than the sexually aggressive chick.
Poppy Flanders. She was three or four, and she obviously had inherited her parents’ intelligence and their deep belief in protesting anything they felt harmed the environment or impugned on the rights of the humans and creatures they shared that same earth with.
He gave the girl a smile and tried to hide his basket. “Hey there, Poppy. Where’s your momma?”
“I’m right here.” Nell walked up, a hand on her belly. She was wearing a sunny yellow dress that showed off how close she was to giving Poppy a sibling. She looked at the other woman and then back to Shane. “Can I help you, Miss? Shane here is in a hurry to get back to his fiancée.”
Shane nodded and then stopped. “What?”
Nell gave him a smile. “You probably should check your messages. Apparently Max and Rye went by Brooke’s tiny house, and now you’re getting married. It’s okay. Happens all the time here in Bliss.”
“I thought she was only a girlfriend,” the young woman said with a frown.
He pulled his cell out and sure enough, there was a message from Brooke’s phone.
Hey, you’re kind of needed back here. Forget about breakfast. I need help moving out and finding a place to stay, and also apparently we’re doing this fake fiancé thing because I lost it with my brothers, so if you don’t mind… Also, I could use some of Teeny’s muffins if she has any left.
There were a bunch of emojis. A couple of hearts. Some prayer hands. A muffin. Oh, and a bagel. He should get some bagels, too.
What had happened?
And how did she know his name? The half-dressed chick. Not Brooke. He’d made certain Brooke knew his name.
The young woman looking for bacon had clearly called him Shane, and they hadn’t exchanged names. He looked back up and she was gone.
“Where did she go?” Shane asked, glancing around.
Nell frowned. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you had the look of a man who didn’t know how to get himself out of an uncomfortable position. If I was wrong, I apologize. I thought with the news…”
“Why was he talking to that lady if he’s supposed to marry Paige’s aunt?” Poppy asked.
The Flanders women could do judgment.
“Look, I’m not sure how we ended up engaged, but I’m happy about it, though you should know Brooke’s not going to be. Not now. However, I will use this time to prove we can be good for her,” Shane announced.
Nell’s expression went bright. “Oh, I would bet Max and Rye caught her with your brother and they were obnoxious, and she decided to show them. It’s a good start. Good trope. I approve of everything except the odd woman hitting on you.”
“I didn’t realize she was hitting on me.” He heard the bell jingle again and knew it was her. She was gone. “She knew my name.”
“Everyone does,” Nell agreed. “You’re settling in nicely. Did I thank you for helping Henry with the fencing? I never thought we would fence in any of our property, but it’s safer for the goats we’re rescuing. I think the idea of a home for abused and abandoned animals is so beautiful.”
Those goats wouldn’t have to worry about being milked or used for anything but emotional support. “It was an honor. I’m glad they’ll have somewhere to go, and I would like to volunteer if you need help.”