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)
“Yes, Sheriff.” Elisa was on her radio. “He totally said that. I think Max still thinks you were Callie’s second choice and that’s why you jail him so often.”
“Hey.” Even in the dim light, he could see how pale Max had gone. “I didn’t put it like that. Nate, I was kidding, man. Your deputy is mean.”
Shane leaned toward the radio. “He absolutely said that, Sheriff. He said it like he was proud. And his wife is standing right here. Also, could you weigh in on who has the worse criminal record? Because he’s using that as an excuse to make Brooke feel bad for dating us.”
All true, but Bay wasn’t sure Rachel needed to hear that right now. Something was up with her. Tears caressed her cheeks, and she put a hand to her stomach. He suddenly remembered one of the only smart things his father ever said to him.
You got to use the things you have. Everything you own is an asset, and if it isn’t you should probably throw it away.
Sometimes he wondered if his father had been talking about him.
But tonight he at least had something he could offer. “Miss Rachel, I’m sorry we interrupted your dinner at Stella’s. I have some leftover cookies. Brooke likes it when we bring her a picnic for dinner.”
He didn’t mention what they liked to do after.
Rachel sniffled. “From the bee lady?”
“Oh, Rach loves those charcuterie boards they make there. You know I didn’t get to finish my dinner either,” Max pointed out. “By now those waitresses will have thrown it all out, and I was looking forward to that peach pie.”
Brooke’s head shook. “You are such an asshole. Look, both of you. I am leaving with Bay and Shane and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. And I would back off right now if you know what’s good for you.”
Max’s head shook. “Rye, we’re going home. Rach needs a break. Stef, will you make sure Brooke and those two can get back to the G?”
Stef pulled out his keys and offered them to Shane. “I’ll do one better. Take it. Mel can drop us off on his way home, and we’ll drive Jen’s until we can get your tires replaced. And do not fight me on this, Bailey Kent. You need transportation and so does she.”
“And I want to finish my report,” Elisa announced. “I checked my dad’s truck. It was fine.”
“Also, I definitely remember seeing Bay and Shane’s truck when I came in,” Mel offered. “Been worried about them getting stuck out on the alien highway because that truck is on its last legs. You know the greys have been working that highway lately.”
He’d been taught that little green men were actually little gray men. He tried to stay away from Mel’s world. Nice guy. Weird world. “The whole cast was here earlier and the crew. They left a couple of hours ago.”
“So you were bugging my sister at work,” Rye said under his breath.
“You can’t help yourself, can you?” Rachel sounded dull, her head shaking. “Is this the way you’re going to treat Paige?”
“Are you asking if I’m going to protect our daughter?” Rye asked.
“Protect her from what? From enjoying herself? From having good sex.” She looked to Brooke. “Unless the sex isn’t good.”
“I’m not wearing a butt plug for my health,” Brooke replied.
Max winced and his head hung low. “Too much information.”
“She’s doing it to rebel. She’s feeling bad because she got fired and she’s acting out,” Rye replied.
“She is not a child,” Rachel announced, and her shoulders squared.
Shane took the keys. “Elisa, can we do this tomorrow morning? I think we should get Brooke out of here. It’s not a good environment for her.”
His brother was right, but those probably weren’t the words he would have used. Or rather they’re exactly the words he would have used, and Shane was supposed to be better at this than he was.
“Good environment? You think keeping her out at Trev’s sex palace is a better environment?” Rye started to get in Shane’s face.
Elisa stepped in. “Do I need to call in some backup, Rye?”
“I think you might. I think maybe you should take these two in and see what they’re truly after,” Rye said, giving them both a really good stink eye.
“I’m pretty sure they’re after Brooke,” Max said. “Because you’re being ridiculous if you think they’re after like our money or something. Or they want to take over our horse farm. I’m trying to figure out what they could be after other than sex.”
Bay could answer that question. “We could want to be with her. We’re after her because she’s the single most beautiful woman we ever laid eyes on, and I think she might be the one woman who can make us feel whole.”