Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
“Cameron!” We turned in line as one to find Forde striding toward us in his paramedic’s jumpsuit. He’d taken off the sleeves and unzipped the top half to reveal a tight tee with a band name on it. The tee itself revealed his strong body and many tattoos.
“Off duty?” Cammie asked him as he neared us.
“Aye, just for a minute.” He hugged her into his side for a second before spotting me. “Taran.” The next thing I knew I was wrapped in a hug.
Surprised, I barely had time to return the embrace before he released me. His dark eyes washed over my face. “You all right after yesterday?”
“All good,” I promised him.
Forde pressed his lips together but stepped back, nodding hello at London.
“Have you been busy with all the caber and hammer injuries?” Cammie asked him.
“It’s not been too bad. Nothing major.” Forde tapped her head. “Touch wood.”
“Piss off.” She batted his hand away good-naturedly.
His gaze flickered over her, and he crossed his arms over his chest, his tee tightening quite deliciously around his biceps. I’d never been able to see past Quinn, but there was no denying his best friend was sexy as sin. “Where’s the man boy?”
Cammie narrowed her eyes. “Say his name first.”
“Greig,” Forde spat like he’d tasted something bad.
She tilted her chin. “I broke up with him.”
Forde’s folded arms dropped to his side. “For real?”
“For real.”
“Got sick of babysitting?”
London made a gurgling sound in her throat as if she’d just swallowed a laugh, which, of course, made my lips twitch.
Cammie shot her a mock look of betrayal before glowering at Forde. “How come you can date women younger than you, but I can’t date a younger man without the constant jokes?”
“Eh, excuse me, but how many babysitting jokes have you cracked about women I’m seeing?”
“None. I hate repeating myself, which is all I’d be doing if I cracked a babysitting joke every time you slept with a girl half your age.”
“Exaggeration.” Forde wagged a finger in front of her face. “Stop deflecting because you’re embarrassed you spent a year shagging a bairn.”
“Shut up!” She shoved him. “People might think that’s true, Forde Dallas.”
He chuckled. “Sorry, sorry. I meant a postadolescent wanker.”
“Wow.” I eyed Forde a wee bit speculatively because I could swear there was more than a hint of real bite to his teasing. “You didn’t like Greig, huh?”
“Nah, not really.” He turned to Cammie. “You were too good for him.”
“Not too old?” She raised an eyebrow.
“He’s too young. There’s a difference.”
“Well, he knew his way around the female body better than many men your age.” Cammie pointed at Forde.
Forde’s gaze turned low-lidded as he stared intensely at Cammie. “That child has nothing on me. Trust me.”
A far too long moment passed between the friends as their gazes held. Then Cammie gave him a tight, mocking smile. “Well, you’ve certainly had more practice.” She patted his arm. “Remember to get tested regularly.”
At the flash of ire in Forde’s dark eyes, I scrambled to change the subject. “Oh, hey, we’re next in line.”
Forde glanced between us, shot Cammie an indecipherable look, and jerked his chin. “I better get back. Enjoy the day, ladies.”
“Bye.” Cammie waved her fingers at him even as she turned her head away.
Forde stared at her profile for a second longer before he stalked off.
“Is he gone?” Cammie murmured.
“Aye.”
She scowled. “He’s been a pissy wee fucker lately.”
London snorted as we exchanged a knowing look.
We bought sandwiches and water from the deli stall and were deciding where to go next when a crowd of children drew London’s attention. “What’s that?”
Cammie’s expression lit up. “Murray is doing storytime. Come on.”
“Storytime?” I queried as we followed her through the crowds.
“When Kelly was wee, she got bored at the games, so Murray did what he always did and sat her down to tell her a story. Soon he had a crowd of kids around him, completely enthralled. Since then, the council has asked him to do storytime at every games.”
Well, that was adorable.
“Don’t get too close.” London grabbed onto Cammie’s arm. “We might put him off. It’s for the kids.”
“I am a big kid,” Cammie reminded her. “And there are other adults here.”
I laughed around a bite of sandwich as we situated ourselves just behind another group of adults.
Sure enough, Murray sat on a wooden chair on a small platform where the solo dancers had performed earlier.
“Who is the little girl?” London asked quietly.
Cammie followed her gaze. “Oh, that’s Kelly, Murray’s daughter.”
The wee blond girl gave her father a bottle of water. He took it with a tender smile, and she darted off the platform to stand with a group of kids her age. Younger children had gathered before Murray, sitting cross-legged at his feet, ready for his story.
“Has anyone heard of the tale of the king who sought a drink from a certain well?” Murray asked the kids, leaning forward as he did.