Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“Sweetheart. Just hit me with it.”
“This morning we took a walk to the bakery because I wanted the sugar cookie coffee. They said they could make it with decaf. It’s really good.”
“It is.” I bite back a laugh at this side quest we’re taking.
“I also really wanted one of those cranberry things. Ah—”
“Cranberry orange scone.”
“Yes! They’re really good too.”
“They are.” We stare at each other.
“Oh right, yes. Then I was walking by the diner, and the new deputy stopped to introduce herself to Hollis and congratulated us on the wedding, and the invite just came out. I couldn’t help it. It was the polite thing to do.” She gets the rest out in one impressive breath before covering her mouth with her hand.
“I don’t care.”
“Really, I thought after the whole thing—” She makes a gun with her fingers. “She would really be dead to us.”
“Oh, she is, but Cash and I are going together, so she can suck it and watch us from the front row.” A giggle bubbles free from her as my phone starts to ring again. What year is it? Who calls people like a psychopath anymore?
“This is Kindred for Mayor Hollis’ office. How can I help you?”
“You could die.” They say it in that weird-ass voice again.
“All right, this is New Hope. We’re the Christmas town. You need to be calling Hollowsville. Now, you’re either two months behind or ten months ahead of schedule, both concerning, but they will appreciate your Scream reenactment more than I will."
"Oh, you'll enjoy it soon enough." They hang up on me again.
"Some people have no manners."
"Who was it?"
"No one." I wave it off, not wanting to worry Candy over some prank nonsense.
“Is there anything else you want to tell me about Hudson?”
That he has a filthy mouth? I shake my head no.
“I’m on the tree downline. I know things. Things people have seen with their own eyes.”
I close my eyes. How the hell had I not thought about that? Of course someone spotted me getting out of Cash’s cruiser and walking into the house wearing his clothes! This town knows everything.
“Are there pictures?”
“Pictures!” Candy squeaks. “I was bluffing. Oh my gosh. Why would there be pictures?”
Damn, Candy is getting good at this. “I left with him last night.”
“I know. You laid a giant kiss on him. At first, I thought it was because of that Katie witch, but then the kiss kept going, and then his hands went to your booty.”
“Did they go to my ass?” Hell, I missed that, but I’d been caught up with his mouth.
Candy nods vehemently. "Then y'all left together, but then he came back in, so I was confused."
"He went to get my bag."
"Then two more witches tried to hit on him."
I roll my eyes at that. "Of course they did." Never in my life have I seen a person get hit on more than him. But I might be paying way more attention when it comes to Cash.
"He didn't do anything. I think he's obtuse to it."
"But doesn't he seem the same with me?" I can't set a medium. The man's expression is always the same. Irritated.
"I have never seen him kiss or squeeze a booty before." She shrugs.
"You know what I mean. Before last night, I was treated the same."
"Really?" Her nose scrunches.
"I mean, I'm sure I've gotten away with more because he's close with my brother. But if last night taught me anything, it's that Cash does show public affection."
"But—"
"No," I cut her off. "I jumped on him," I point out. "So if he is into a person, he'd do the whole thing privately." That takes the air out of Candy's sails. Same, girl. She drops down into one of the chairs in front of my desk. "He could have been hooking up with other people, and no one would be the wiser."
"I'm not the best with reading men, but I don't see him doing that."
"If I told you the things he said to me when we got back to his place, you'd be thinking differently."
"You went back to his place!" Candy is back on her feet.
"Went back to whose place?" Candy presses her lips together as Hollis’s mom enters my office. "If you're not going to tell me, I'll assume it was Sheriff Hudson after you left The Frosty Mug with the candy cane in his pants." Mary always has a way with words. Candy is fighting a laugh and losing.
"I didn't see any candy cane." I wouldn't have been opposed to it. I'm curious. When you're as big as Cash, is everything super-sized?
What had he said last night? That it would be a fight to get inside of me. My stomach clenches. Damn, only thinking back to it has me turned on. I press my thighs together.
"You're blushing about something." Mary raises one of her eyebrows in question.