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)
And it was helping to lift her mood. A little. She should feel ecstatic since her car would be ready to be picked up in a few days.
Jordan had been so happy when she’d called. But, for some reason, she just felt sad.
Because you don’t want to leave.
“You really needed some ice cream, huh?” Wyatt asked as he licked his.
“I really, really did. Your Papa hid my lollipops.”
“Wow. That’s mean. Can he do that when you’re an adult?”
Good question.
“He’s worried about my teeth.” And probably with just cause because that tooth at the back had been aching a bit lately. “How was school?”
Wyatt frowned and stared down at his ice cream which was quickly melting.
“What’s wrong, sugar?”
“Are you dating Papa?” he asked suddenly.
She froze. Shit. Had he seen them together? Why was he asking that?
“Why would you ask that?” she asked.
“That’s what Billy said. He said that you guys were at a motel and that meant that you were together and that I was gonna get a new stepmom who’d be mean to me.”
Wow.
Billy was a jerk and a bully.
“First of all, I would never be mean to you. Ever.”
Wyatt made a scoffing noise. “I know that. Billy was just trying to scare me.”
Whew.
“And I’d never try to replace your mama.”
Wyatt glanced away. “I miss her. She wasn’t always a very good mama but I think she loved me.”
“I know she did,” she said softly.
“I told Billy that if Papa wanted to date you that I would think that was cool because you’re cool. You’re not stuffy and bossy like those nannies. And you’re not like Billy’s mom all quiet and blank. You’re . . . you’re Casey. So if you were Papa’s girlfriend, well, I’d like that!”
Wow.
That was not what she’d expected him to say.
“Jeb’s girlfriend?” a voice asked, sounding shocked. “She’s not your father’s girlfriend.”
What the hell?
Casey turned to frown at the woman standing next to their table. What was Megan doing?
“I mean, I’ve heard the rumors,” Megan scoffed. “About them being caught at a motel together. But that doesn’t mean anything. Your father isn’t ready for a relationship yet. She’s just a bit of fun.”
“Megan! You cannot talk like that in front of Wyatt. Come on, we’re going,” she said to Wyatt who nodded, frowning at Megan.
“It’s just the truth,” Megan said. “If Jeb is going to choose someone to get involved with, it will be someone stable. Who lives in the community and isn’t going to leave in a few days.”
“Casey isn’t leaving in a few days,” Wyatt said as they both slid from the booth.
“Of course she is. As soon as her car is fixed. Did you think she’d stay here for good? Maybe that she and your dad would get married?” Megan scoffed.
Wyatt’s face grew pale then red.
Crap. What the hell was Megan doing?
“You’re a real bitch, aren’t you? What? Did you have dibs on him or something? Do you think you’re better than me?” Casey snapped.
“Are you staying?” Megan asked in a sickly-sweet voice. “Wyatt deserves the truth, right?”
“You don’t care about Wyatt,” Casey said. “And that’s none of your business.”
“See, Wyatt? She’ll be gone soon. Poof. Never to be seen again.” Megan stalked away.
That bitch.
Casey glared after her before turning back to Wyatt who stared up at her with devastation in his face.
“Wyatt,” she whispered, feeling broken.
Turning, he ran off out of the ice cream parlor.
“Wyatt!”
Shit!
She took off after him, dumping her ice cream in a garbage bin as she raced down the street. They ended up in the place where it had all begun.
Elise’s playground.
Wyatt sat on the swing and pushed it back and forth, refusing to look up at her as she stopped in front of him.
“Wyatt, can you stop and look at me, please,” she begged.
“When are you going?”
“What?” she asked.
“When are you leaving?” he asked, glancing up at her.
“I don’t . . . I don’t know. My car will be fixed in a few days. So, I guess soon. Wyatt, you always knew I was leaving.”
“I thought you’d change your mind! If you were Papa’s girlfriend you’d have to change your mind!”
Her stomach was twisted into knots. “I like your Papa.” Maybe she even felt more than that. “And I really like you.”
“Then stay!”
“Oh, Wyatt. It’s not that simple.”
“Sure, whatever.” He jumped off the swing and gave her a sullen look. “I wanna go home.”
Maybe that was for the best. She needed to talk to Jeb. The drive home was silent and her heart was heavy.
As she pulled up, Wyatt jumped out of the truck and headed inside.
Feet dragging, she headed into the house and moved to the sink to fill a glass with water.
Urgh.
What was she going to do?
She had to fix this somehow. Staring out the window, she saw Wyatt running past. Where was he going? It wasn’t long until dark now. He wasn’t supposed to go out on the ranch alone.