Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
“Good morning.” My voice comes out wrong too high and too happy. I wonder if he can tell I’m faking it.
He grunts.
Not a morning person then. I cover my smile by taking a sip of my coffee. It’s a little sweeter than I care for. It’s then I realize that I’ll never get the chance to learn how he likes his coffee. We won’t get mornings like this together on the front porch.
As if confirming my thoughts, Walker says, “My ranch hands tell me the creek is still higher than normal and it’s rushing. We won’t be taking the truck across it today. But I can get you through with a boat.”
Don’t be a nuisance. You can cry over Walker later. I force a smile I don’t feel and remind myself that the things he said last night were in the heat of passion. We both had a lot of endorphins. It’s only natural that I would feel like he meant those words when he didn’t. “That would be great.”
Before he can say anything else, I push to my feet. “I’ll grab my bag.”
The ride in the boat is only about twenty minutes and I’m pretty sure we could have made it over the creek in half that. But Walker was going slow, like he has the world’s most precious cargo with him.
He even insisted I wear a life jacket. I told him I’d been swimming since I was a kid and had experience in both creeks and rivers that were fast-moving. But then he did that thing where he just arches an eyebrow. I think it’s his way of asking if I really want to challenge him. Since the spatula threat was still on my mind, I let him dress me in the ridiculous orange jacket.
River was waiting for us on the other side of the creek. He had the keys to his truck that he passed to Walker.
“How’s Mallory?” I ask as I hold baby Lily. She’s getting so big. River was a grouchy single dad when he demanded Mallory marry him and marched her up to the courthouse. She always tells the story like it’s the most romantic thing that’s ever happened in the world, and guessing by the way they love each other, I’d have to agree. River and Mallory are perfect together. I only wish I could have something like that with Walker.
“She’s getting ready for the grand opening,” he explains. When Mallory quit working at the Feed & Seed, she decided to start her own clothing boutique in town. She makes beautiful retro dresses. I’ve already bought one from her even though the opening for Sew Cute isn’t until next month.
“Tell her I’ll be by to lend a hand later today.” After the deliveries, there should still be plenty of time to drop by Mallory’s shop. That’s what besties are for. Plus, I can tell her about Walker and how I have to go change my name and move somewhere new, so I never have to see this hot, grumpy cowboy again.
“Will do,” River promises as I pass Lily back to him.
I get in the passenger side of the truck while Walker says something to River. The other cowboy laughs and claps him on the back. I don’t know what he said but they both look pretty darn happy.
Then Walker is climbing into the cab beside me. Was it just yesterday that we sat in the rain and talked about our deep, dark secrets? How is it that in twenty-four hours I feel like I know him better than I know anyone else?
Keep it together for a few more minutes, Jen.
As soon as he pulls the truck to a stop in the parking lot of my father’s store, I hop down and glance at him. I try to put the right amount of casual cheerfulness in my voice, “Thanks for the ride!”
“Wait just a damn minute—”
I slam the truck door and hustle across the parking lot, careful to avoid the deep potholes that are filled with rainwater.
Walker gets out of the truck and around it, faster than I expected. He grabs my arm and scowls at me. “We’re not done. You’re not going anywhere.”
Before I can respond, my dad is storming out of the store. He looks angrier than I’ve ever seen him before and my heart sinks. I’d hoped that Walker wouldn’t be around for this. “Can you just let me go?”
But it’s too late. My dad is already shouting, drawing attention to me right here on Main Street. “There you are! Where is my truck? You stupid girl. Did you get it stuck after I told you not to? You’re useless.”
I blink back tears, trying not to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry while I avoid Walker’s gaze. Now he knows. He sees the real me.