Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
The system was primitive, but it worked.
Atlas ran ahead, with Cat following closely, and Prince and Tundra ran alongside the four-wheeler.
“Oh, that was a big one!” Kayden laughed.
Christ, this boy. I smiled to myself and drove over another patch of dead shrubs, and he cracked up.
The cold air felt good, but nothing compared to Kayden’s excitement.
Nothing killed a bad mood like an adrenaline rush.
Snow and wind whipped against my face, as if to remind me the bad weather hadn’t passed just yet. It would be dark within a few hours too, so I didn’t want to venture too far.
When we were about twenty minutes away from the cabin, I slowed to a stop so the dogs could sniff around for a while. Kayden dismounted the vehicle, handed over his helmet, and immediately darted over to play with Prince. I placed the helmet between my feet, then double-checked to make sure my rifle was secured.
“Yeah, you’re such a good doggie!” the boy gushed. He tossed a liver snap into the air, and Prince jumped and caught it. Kayden applauded.
Being out here usually brought me peace. Now I felt my own personal storm brewing within me, gaining strength from every moment I shared with Kayden.
The sky remained an angry gray shade, which stole the color from the low shrubs that poked up from the snow. When the sun was out, it could be fucking stunning. From the bright-green moss that covered the rocks to the small bushes that shifted in red, brown, and orange.
I unfastened my water bottle and took a couple swigs.
That inner peace evaded me, but it wasn’t a bad thing. I had something new to look forward to. Kayden was happy. And unafraid to get his hands dirty. He chased the dogs around, barking back when they did, and rolled around with Prince and Tundra.
“No way, you can’t catch me!” Kayden smiled widely and sprinted right out, with all four dogs chasing after and wagging their tails.
What a goofball. He looked too funny in those pants too, because they belonged to Chris. Kayden hadn’t considered bringing proper outdoor wear.
“Okay, okay, you caught me!” he panted through laughter.
I grinned.
Was he sinking back into his Middle mode? Nothing would make me happier.
The trip was already a success, either way. He was smiling again.
“Can you come back here, blue?” I called.
Kayden nodded and dug into a pocket, before he threw a handful of treats all over the place and hollered, “Seek!”
Atlas and Cat knew what that meant. Prince and Tundra acted on the scent of liver snaps.
Kayden jogged back to me, out of breath. “What’s up?”
I dismounted the four-wheeler and leaned against it. “I forgot to ask earlier. How did the conversation go with Quinlan?”
He sniffled and adjusted the straps on his gloves. “I think it couldn’t have gone better. He misses me, and he’s mad at you, which feels really good.”
I lifted my eyebrows.
He smirked. “I totally let him know that you told me everything about Hillcroft and, at your suggestion, I’m going to be a logistics officer.”
That bratty little shit.
I’d be annoyed if I weren’t so amused by his need to, what, execute a revenge scheme? All this was so damn avoidable. Granted, knowing him, he didn’t take rejection well because he’d grown up in an environment of neglect. He was also used to Chris and me working a lot and being away for longer periods of time. But he hadn’t even listened to me this morning. I’d told him the last thing I wanted was to stop—but I had to sort through my thoughts.
“If you’d been anybody else, I would’ve punished you for this,” I said, letting some of my mirth show. “But seeing as you have a history of thinking you’re in the way and family running off on you, I’ll go easy on your sweet ass.”
He immediately stood taller, having probably reacted to the sweet-ass part.
I wasn’t done just yet, though.
“At least you didn’t tell him we kissed,” I continued. “I’d rather do that in person when I’m ready.”
He couldn’t look more confused. “Wh-what? Tell him? You’re gonna tell him we made out?”
I furrowed my brow. “Would you prefer we saw each other in secret? That doesn’t seem like you.”
His gaze flickered with uncertainty, and he licked his lips nervously. “Of course I wouldn’t. But what are you saying? You backed off earlier. You stopped things.”
Darling boy—he needed a new perspective. He needed my perspective.
“To take a breather, sweetheart,” I reasoned. “A lot more is at stake when it’s you. I don’t want to do anything until I’ve thought things through in order to prevent hurt feelings and any other harm. But I’ll be honest—my feelings changing for you has blindsided me, and the attraction all but knocked me on my ass.” I smiled when he failed to hide his relief. “Moreover—please keep in mind that Quin has been a father figure of sorts for me as well, and you’re his son. People around work actually refer to Quin as my old man. Chris’s as well, of course. So a lot has been running through my mind.”