Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
But unlike my childhood, the most popular attraction here? Brock Hawkins. Everywhere I looked, women stared at us. Brock and I continued to be watched as we waited in line at the ticket booth.
I cleared my throat. “What’s the deal with all the people staring at us?”
He looked around. “Who?”
“Well, women, mostly.” I surveyed the area. “You really don’t notice it?”
He shrugged. “Can’t say I do.”
“You’re pretty oblivious, then. The women here seem very interested in you. Any idea why?” I knew why. But I still wanted to see what he said, whether he’d admit what a catch he was.
Brock shrugged. “I guess they have nothing better to do.”
I slapped his arm playfully. “Do you not realize what a hot commodity you are?”
“If you mean because I have money, I guess that’s sad.”
“It’s not just that, Brock. You’re the whole damn package. A good-looking man with a good head on his shoulders—and yes, one who makes a good living—is not easy to find. These women are salivating.” Heck, so am I.
“Well, I guess they’re also probably drawing some conclusions right now, aren’t they? Seeing as though I’m with you. I bet that’s also why they’re staring. They’re wondering what the deal is with us.”
Join the club. I chuckled. “Well, I’m happy to play the role of most-hated woman in town until I leave.”
When we finally got to the front of the line, Brock asked for two-hundred tickets.
My eyes widened. “Two hundred? What the heck are we going to do with that many?”
Brock grinned. “We’re gonna have some fun, Red.”
There was that boyish charm again—the magic of the hat. I was here for it.
Brock reached for my hand, and I got goose bumps as I practically skipped alongside him. His touch warmed my entire body. Finishing this stint at Sierra would be much easier if I weren’t so damn attracted to this man in every way.
Over the next couple of hours, Brock and I played countless games, ate our way through the fair, and rode the Ferris wheel. And yes, we used every single last one of those tickets. Brock won me a giant stuffed cow, which we walked back to his truck so we didn’t have to carry it around. Pretty sure I was going to have Brock take it home to Oak and tell him to have fun with it. How the hell could I climb the ladder with that thing anyway?
Eventually the afternoon sun gave way to a golden evening, and a chill took over the air. Without me having to ask, Brock took off his flannel, wrapping it around my arms and enveloping me in his intoxicating smell. Wearing his shirt was becoming one of my favorite rituals.
“I feel like it wouldn’t be a day with you if I didn’t end up wearing one of your flannels.”
“That’s because you never wear a damn jacket.”
“There’s not even a little part of you that likes me wearing your shirt?”
His jaw ticced. “I can’t say I mind the way it smells when you give it back.” He sighed. “Don’t mind it at all.”
Satisfied with that answer, I closed the shirt over my chest. “I’ve had a lot of good days in my life, Brock. But this one might have made my top ten.”
“Well, damn. I’m honored.” He smiled.
“I feel like I’m in a movie. This town is like a place you go to forget about your troubles.”
“That’s an illusion,” Brock countered. “Want to know the reality?”
“Okay…”
“The fair is a nice escape, but I know many of the people here. And some of them don’t have a pot to piss in. They probably save up for weeks just to afford to enjoy themselves for one day here.”
“Well, that’s very sad, actually.”
He nodded. “And I can probably point to any person here who seems happy and tell you a story about them that would surprise you.”
“What about him?” I challenged, pointing to an old man sitting on a bench. He was eating cotton candy and seemed content.
“That’s Randy Lindley. Lost his wife earlier this year. Used to always see them around town together. It’s like his other half is missing now. This is his first season here without her.”
That’s so sad. “Oh.” I frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
He pointed to a cute little girl who looked to be about five or six. “See her? She doesn’t know it, but her father is cheating on her mother. Saw him down at the bar the other night with a woman who wasn’t his wife, Josephine.”
My stomach sank. “Jesus, that’s horrible.” Just the thought gave me PTSD and reminded me of my own dad.
I pointed to a random woman. “What about her?”
“Cheryl Brown. Her husband was injured while on active duty. He uses a wheelchair now. Doing okay, but they have a ton of medical bills. Three kids.” Brock shook his head. “Bryce deserved better than that.”