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)
Unfortunately, Max had said the tooth had to be taken care of immediately.
“See? That’s good, isn’t it?” Jeb asked.
“I guess so. I still think ice cream would be better, though, Daddy.”
“I know you do. I’ve got to grab Wyatt from the bus soon, so I want you to have a few more mouthfuls.”
“I can get him!”
“No. Ed said you had some strong drugs and to rest for a while.”
Pfft.
Wyatt was enjoying school much better now that Billy was gone. His family had packed up hastily and moved about two months ago. Soon after Jeb learned about the rumors Billy’s father had been spreading.
Strangely, Megan had left about the same time.
She didn’t know what Jeb had done. When she’d asked him, he just said that he’d had a word with them. Had he threatened them? She had no idea and she didn’t actually care. He’d taken care of things. He’d protected her and Wyatt.
And that was what counted.
He’d held back with Happy, it seemed, since he was still in town. Although it seemed that the sheriff had him under heavy supervision.
The sound of a car door slamming shut had him setting aside the bowl of food and moving to the window.
“Hmm. Stay here, little girl. Hear me?” Jeb said sternly.
“Who is it?”
“No one you need to worry about. I’ll be back in a moment.”
No one she needed to worry about? Why didn’t she believe him?
Deciding that she needed to investigate, she took off her bib. Then she got up and grabbed her dressing gown, drawing it on before she made her way out of the bedroom.
There were voices below from the porch and she made her way carefully down the stairs, stopping at the bottom as she heard him.
What was he doing here? How had he found her?
She stepped up to the open doorway.
“I don’t know why the fuck you’re trying to ruin my business and reputation,” her father yelled at Jeb. “But you won’t get away with it!”
Jeb was trying to ruin her father?
For her?
Warmth flooded her. If she hadn’t already been in love with him, she’d have fallen for him now.
Jeb was leaning against a post, with his arms crossed over his chest.
“I think I’ve already done a good job of that,” he drawled. “You’re done, George. Might as well sell up and retire. At least the land is worth something.”
“Generations of Reynolds have lived there! I have sons who rely on that business for a living. They deserve to inherit it. I won’t sell.”
“And what about your daughter?” she asked as she moved to stand by Jeb. “What about what she deserved?”
Her father took a step back, visibly shaken by her appearance. “You. You’re behind this? Ruining your own father and brothers?”
“Actually, Casey had no idea what I was doing,” Jeb said. “I just took it upon myself to treat you the way you’ve treated her for years. As for your sons, I heard they’ve all left. And that you’ve got nothing. Which is exactly what you deserve. Now, you’re gonna leave before I’m forced to call the sheriff.”
“You bitch!” her father snarled. “I knew I should never have let your mother keep you. Useless bitch. Just like she was.”
“Not sure what she ever saw in you,” Casey told him. “But you need to leave now. Jeb doesn’t like to repeat himself.”
“Maybe I’ll just ruin you!” her father blustered as he headed back to his truck.
Jeb just laughed. “Good luck.”
Her father sped off and she turned to give Jeb a concerned look. “What if he creates trouble for you?”
Jeb shook his head. “Your father thought he was untouchable. But no one is. However, I’ve got some good friends in high places. Friends who aren’t afraid to work outside the law if they need to. I’ll be fine. That was just the threat of a desperate man. Now, didn’t I tell you to stay in bed? Seems that someone needs a bottom warming.”
She hugged him tight. “Thank you. Thank you for always looking after me. Thank you for being mine.”
“Always, baby. Always.”
The End