Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“Why would we? It was a very enlightening chat.”
Levi nods agreement. “And we were serious. We are interested in maybe settling down here. That’s not just a line. It does seem like it would be… right up our alley.” As if he wants to be very clear what he meant, he slips his hand into mine and leans in to press a kiss to my lips. Nobody even blinks. Further proof that Blue River might just be the place we’ve been searching for.
But is Marci the woman we’ve been searching for?
I can’t wait to find out.
Levi
Tripp is more forward. He follows careful guidelines as closely as he follows absurd superstitions, but I can say one thing for sure. If he sees something he wants, he goes after it.
And he wants Marci.
I can’t blame him.
The waitress is a beauty. Wide hips, a juicy booty, ample breasts, a shy smile, and stunning blue-green eyes. Her feathered shoulder-length blonde hair frames her face, and only adds to her allure.
Her sweet shy demeanor is just the icing on the cake, and the way she puts herself down is sure to make Daddy’s palm itch with a vengeance that makes me shudder just thinking about it.
But he’s starting to win her over, I can tell. She wants to say yes, but something is holding her back.
I’m pretty sure it’s just the age gap, the worry what people will say and the fear that she won't be enough for us. She really doesn’t need to worry about all that.
Deciding to give both her and Tripp a break, I step forward and pour on every ounce of charm the good Lord had seen fit to give me. I’ve been told I had charisma in spades, I just don’t see the need to pull it out all that often. That’s what I have Tripp for.
But sometimes a soft heart needs the same. Tripp would trample all over her objections. She needs someone to hear them.
Taking her hand, I lift it to my lips, and meet her eyes as I press a kiss to the top of her knuckles. “What Tripp is trying to say is that we don’t care about the age difference. We think you’re a beautiful, intelligent and witty woman and we would love to get to know you more. Aside from that, we are looking for a place to call home, and we think there’s a good chance Blue River is that place. If it’s not, nothing more will happen. But we think it is, and we’re not looking for a fling or a one-night stand. We’re looking for someone who will make the place that we choose to live truly feel like home, and Marci, we think that woman might be you.”
“You don’t even know me!” Marci squeaks. But her eyes stay locked on mine, and she offers no further protests.
“You’re right,” Tripp agrees. “We don’t. And it’s a regret we hope to rectify as soon as possible.”
“Hey Marci!” A bubbly blonde appears at her side. “Mayor King said I should cover for you tonight.”
“What?” Marci’s eyes go wide with alarm. “She should not have done that. We are far too busy tonight for that. The rodeo’s in town and all.”
Marci levels us with a look. “In fact, I really can’t afford to stand around being chatty.”
“Oh no, Ma’am,” the blonde interjects, blocking her path when Marci made to move around the bar. “Mayor King was insistent. She said she’d cover for you tonight herself.”
“Well that’s ridiculous,” Marci mutters. “Calliope isn’t trained for serving.”
“She said she’d figure it out and you wouldn’t even have to pay her. It’s a community service.” The bubbly blonde has to be barely legal. Twenty-one and a handful of days probably. I’m not sure she’s even up for the task of dealing with a bunch of thirsty cowboys.
But before I can tell Marci it’s okay, the mayor appears again, coming around the side of the bar and shooing her away. “Go. You’re literally here around the clock, Marci. It’s okay to take a night off and do something for yourself.”
“I didn’t say it wasn’t,” Marci grumbles.
“No, exactly. You say it is to everyone but yourself. Set a good example for your employees, Miss Ma’am.” Calliope crosses her arms over her chest. “Hand over your apron.”
Marci’s practically snarling, but when Calliope holds out her hand, Marci tugs the apron from around her neck and gives it to her.
“If I get axe-murdered, it’s all your fault,” she grumbles under her breath.
“Noted.” Calliope tries to sound serious, but her eyes sparkle, giving away the laughter she’s holding in.
With a deep breath, and several backward glances as if there’s a chance her friends will let her off the hook, Marci finally comes around to stand in front of us.
“Well gentlemen, it looks like I’m all yours for the evening after all. So, what did you want to do?”