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)
"You're firing me."
"No." Not today. Not when I think she might be behind this shit with Kindred. I'll keep her ass close. The tears in her eyes clear, and I see the relief has her shoulders and chin dropping back down. "But you need to think long and hard about staying here in New Hope. You don't care for the way I do things. This might not be a fit for you."
"I don't understand how it is for you. I read up on your time in the Army and as a Ranger. You don't have any strikes against you. Only medals." She smiles. "You got one for trying to save my brother."
That's what she believes. My service history is half bullshit. Ethan’s is as well. He’s still a Ranger.
“If you think my service was so great, then why don’t you trust what I’m telling you?” Beckett purses her lips. “Say it.” Not sure why she’s holding her tongue now. In fact, she talks far more than she should, and I’m not saying that to be a dick. Kindred is always saying girls flirt with me. I have no clue what she’s talking about, but could Beckett be doing that?
“I already told you. I think when it comes to this town, you’re biased.” That chin of hers juts up again. Everything she does irritates me. Ethan had been eyeing her up, and not for the same reasons as I had. I haven’t filled him in on how she’s connected to us.
I want to send her out to patrol. Oftentimes when it comes to policing, it’s about simply being around. I drive around with that purpose alone. I can’t do that. I don’t trust her in any which way. Not with Kindred and not with this town. All of the people here mean way too much to me to put their safety at risk.
The door to the station pushes open, and in hops Tinsley with her older brother right behind her.
“Mission accomplished,” she announces. “I made Christmas explode all over your house. What’s next?” Tinsley rubs her hands, wanting another task. The cheerful expression on her face falters when she sees Beckett.
"You got anything else for us?" Tim asks.
"You all haven't had enough?" I’m not surprised they got done so quickly. Tinsley is a ball of energy. Every time I see her, I wonder if my daughter with Kindred would be the same. If we have all girls, I'll have my hands full.
"The pay is too good to turn down." Tim shrugs.
"After seeing your place, I'm starting to think you're rich." Leave it to a kid to blurt shit like that out.
I have kept a low profile when it comes to the wealth that I have. It is family wealth that was inevitably passed down from one generation to the next. I have donated a significant portion of it and continue to do so. The interest alone on it is insane.
After my father's death, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with all his shit. I started selling properties off. Then when I met Kindred, I saw another purpose for it. My father could go fuck himself. I endured him for years; I was taking my dues and turning it into a real family. One that wouldn't have his last name connected to it.
"You can't say that shit, Tins." Tim shakes his head at her. "He was in the Army. Those guys have nest eggs when they come out."
"That’s bigger than a nest egg. I think the sheriff might be a golden goose popping out golden eggs.”
“I do have a few pickups you can do if you want.” I pull out a notepad from my desk and jot down the details of them and hand it over. I don’t mind paying the kids to do some errands. As they said, I have the money. Plus, giving them these little tasks will allow me to focus more attention on Kindred.
"Does Kindred know you moved her into your mansion?" Tinsley leans up against my desk, making herself right at home. There’s really no getting anything past her. She’s as sharp as a whip.
"She's moving in with you?" Beckett asks.
"Hey, this is townie business," Tinsley snips at her.
"How old are you?" Beckett responds with a sourpuss expression taking over her face.
"Fourteen." Tinsley holds up her fingers, wiggling them all before flashing four. "In case you can't count that high."
"I'll have you know I'll be moving here very soon."
Tinsley turns to her brother. "Are they just letting anyone move here now? We already got this one we're breaking in." She points her thumb toward me.
This isn't going anywhere good. “Here is the list.” It’s my grocery order and a few items I called in to local shops for gifts. I already got Kindred a handful of items, but knowing this Christmas she’ll be waking up next to me, I want there to be a plentiful amount of gifts. This is the first Christmas I have ever looked forward to.