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)
Sage knew what that meant, but grinned. She was pretty sure that’s what Tildi was hoping for in the first place.
Sage watched as Grady hoisted the drunk tourist around toward the exit. “If you’ll just hold the door for a minute, I’d appreciate it,” Grady said.
Boone reached over and held it open. Looking over at the drunk, he grinned. “After you.”
Sage wanted to cheer when Grady shoved the man out and kicked him in the ass for good measure. The man went sprawling out onto the sidewalk.
Grady and Boone turned back toward Sage’s table, just as the entire place broke into applause. Several men yelled their approval. Neither Grady nor Boone paid any attention to the commotion.
Sage let out a shaky breath, her cheeks burning. Her bottom was doing that tingly thing again, and she was not going to think about why.
When he reached the table, Grady looked down at her, eyes dark and intense. “You okay, Sage?”
She nodded quickly, suddenly feeling very small. “Yes, Sir.” Once again, Sage felt her cheeks flame.
Grady stroked Rose’s hair. “You okay, sweetie?”
Rose smiled and nodded, still clinging to Sage.
Grady turned to Fiera. “How ‘bout you?”
Sage struggled against the jealousy that reared up inside her. It was ridiculous. Grady was just concerned. But something inside her didn’t want him to be concerned about another woman, even if she was one of her best friends.
Fiera grinned. “I’m fine, Grady. Just glad you showed up when you did.”
Grady tipped his hat. “Any time, Fiera.”
Tildi was now sitting with Fiera and Sage, lightly bouncing a large red kickball on top of the table.
Boone reached over and picked up the ball off the table. “We don’t play with balls inside, now do we, babygirl?”
“No, Daddy,” Tildi responded.
Hank walked up, having just tossed the man’s hat out after him. “Really sorry about that. He’d evidently been drinking before he got here, and I didn’t realize it.”
“Stupid fucking tourist,” Grady bit out. “Still, you should make sure he doesn’t drive in that condition.”
“Don’t think that’ll be an issue, Grady,” Hank said, glancing out the window at the man struggling to rise from the sidewalk. “Sheriff Nelson is headed this way now. I bet he has a room where this guy can sleep it off.”
Grady nodded. “Sam always has a nose for trouble.”
“Boone, I would ask you and Tildi to join us, but we’re just about to head out.”
“No problem, Grady, Tildi and I were just stopping in for a quick bite before taking this ball to the ranch.”
“I have to ask, Boone, what do you need a ball for out at Wild River Ranch?” Grady inquired.
“It’s for Bullwinkle,” said Tildi.
“You mean as in Bullwinkle the Moose?” Fiera asked.
Grady gave Boone the “this should be a good story” look.
Boone sighed. “Bullwinkle was formerly Ironside, our breeding bull for the Bison herd. Tildi here renamed him and the name stuck.”
“And the ball?” Grady asked, grinning from ear to ear. Sage could tell he was really enjoying teasing his old friend.
“Turns out Bullwinkle loves to kick the ball with me,” Tildi said.
Boone shrugged. “It’s true, what can I say?”
Sage had rarely seen Grady relaxed like this, just enjoying the company of friends.
He held out his hand to Sage. Her heart did that strange melty thing all over again. Only this time, she melted all the way to her core.
“Come on, little one. Time to get my girls home.” A car door slammed outside the window. Grady glanced and nodded. “Looks like the Texan found a ride with the sheriff.”
Sage slipped her hand into his much larger one, trying and failing not to notice how safe and warm it felt.
She waved goodbye to Fiera and Tildi. They were both staring at her with knowing smiles.
Chapter Five
Anticipation fluttered through Sage’s chest like a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies having a dance party. She barely refrained from clapping her hands and bouncing up and down on her bottom. She ran her hand along the glittering, sparkling fabric of the mermaid dresses she had found. The minute she’d spotted them in a magazine, she’d begun planning this party with Rose.
Hopefully, she loved mermaids too. She pushed away her nervous doubt because, seriously, who didn’t love mermaids? Rose had been looking forward to this party for days. Then again, so had Sage. Her young charge didn’t know about the dresses, so that was going to be a surprise. Yep, this was going to be the best Pillow Palace ever.
Sage’s bottom did a happy little wiggle on the rug. She tried to tell herself to calm down, even as her fingers tapped excitedly against her knees. Big girls don’t bounce… but really, at a time like this, who wanted to be Big? Not her. That was for sure.
It was enough to make her completely forget… well, almost completely forget… what had happened in the barn a few nights before with Grady. Or rather, what hadn’t happened. Who knew a person could feel disappointment and relief at the same time? He’d said that if she broke a rule, she would be punished. And even though he didn’t say so exactly, he’d hinted that the punishment would be a spanking.