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)
“Ahh.” Wyatt nodded.
“Although I guess a milkshake can also have ice cream in it. Hmm, I’m confusing myself.”
“I am not eating milk. This is a flavor, not a base,” Jeb grumbled.
“If you can’t eat it, we understand,” she said. “Are you having regrets? Do you want a different flavor? I’m buying.”
Jeb ran his hand over his face. “I don’t want a different flavor. I don’t know why I got this one. What I need to do is get the supplies I came into town for several hours ago and get back to the ranch.”
Where he had to figure out what the hell he was going to do with Wyatt for the next few days.
“I don’t know how I’m going to manage the next few days,” he muttered.
Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his shin. Jumping, he glared over at Casey who had obviously kicked him.
“What was that for?”
She nodded her head toward Wyatt who had his shoulders up at his ears and had stopped eating.
Fuck.
What was he doing? How did he keep messing this all up?
“But that’s nothing to worry about now,” he said. “Everything will work itself out.”
“I can stay home by myself,” Wyatt said sullenly.
“No,” he said. “You can just come out and work with me. You like doing that.”
“Sure.” Wyatt looked even more downtrodden, if that was possible.
“Or I can find someone to come stay with you. Megan has offered before. Although she’s probably working.”
Wyatt made a face. “I don’t like Megan.”
“Well, we may not have much choice,” Jeb said tiredly.
“How come you’re still in town?” Wyatt asked Casey suddenly.
“My car broke down,” she told him. “I’m waiting for it to get fixed.”
“So you’re not doing anything over the next few days?” Wyatt asked.
Oh no.
Oh hell no.
“Guess not, sugar. Finding a short-term job seems to be impossible. So I’ll just sit around and twiddle my thumbs. I’m not quite sure what twiddling your thumbs actually involves. Sounds a bit weird. Maybe I could do aura readings. What do you think? I could set up a little area on the side of the road. Aura readings for five dollars. Do you think that would go over well with the locals?”
“No,” both Jeb and Wyatt said at the same time.
“Bummer,” she muttered.
Wyatt was staring at him pleadingly.
Jeb really didn’t know how to feel about this. On the one hand, Casey and Wyatt got on really well. On the other hand, she was a stranger and a bit of a loose cannon. Could he really trust her with his child? She couldn’t even seem to take care of herself.
However, at the end of the day, he was desperate. And Tex said he’d looked into her and she was clean.
She was an adult. Surely she could keep Wyatt safe and alive for a few days?
“All right,” Jeb said. “We’ll go get your stuff, Casey. And we can settle you into the house this afternoon.”
“Yes!” Wyatt cried.
“Huh?” Casey asked. “What are you talking about? Why would I move into your house?”
“Because I’m giving you a short-term job. For the next few days or so, you’re going to look after Wyatt and the house. Now, you’re both a mess. Go and clean up. Then we’ll get moving. We’re wasting sunlight here eating this junk.”
“My ice cream is not junk, Jeb Wilder!” Susan yelled from behind the counter.
Crap.
“Sorry, Susan,” he called out.
She just glared at him.
“Winning the hearts of women everywhere, huh?” Casey asked. “Also, I don’t believe I agreed to take this job. As nicely as you asked.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“I know you didn’t ask,” Casey said with a frown.
Interesting. This was the most grouchy he’d ever seen her.
“I think she means that you should’ve asked, Papa,” Wyatt told him.
Yes, he’d picked up on that. She wasn’t really wrong. But he didn’t really want to ask either because then she could say no.
Casey crossed her arms over her chest staring at him steadily.
“You’re going to make me ask, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Yep,” she replied.
“You really should ask, Papa,” Wyatt told him. “It’s not nice to just assume.”
“Great. Casey, will you come and look after Wyatt please? I’ll pay you and it includes room and board.”
“Wow, what a lovely offer. My schedule is pretty busy but I’ll see what I can do.”
Awesome.
Somehow he thought he was going to come to regret this.
Chapter Twelve
The Wilder house was gorgeous.
She’d grown up in a big house that had been stately and cold. The Wilder house was large but it had a much warmer feel to it. It was lived in. You wouldn’t be scared to eat food while sitting on the sofa. Or wear your shoes inside. Or touch the walls.
Still, she’d decided that she was going to be on her best behavior while she was here. This job was a lifeline. Not only did she not have to pay for the motel or food, but the money she’d earn could help pay the mechanic’s bill. Which meant that she wouldn’t have to call one of her brothers and beg.