Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
My sister married a good man. Married into an excellent family.
“Again, on the same page. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she heals up well, and if there are any issues, I’ll call you.”
After he leaves, I figure I have time before Darby’s meds will be ready, so I climb the stairs and take off my pants and shirt, then slide into bed with her. I toss the pillow aside, and she wraps around me, nuzzling her sweet face in my chest, as I gingerly make sure my arm isn’t touching her injury.
“That wasn’t so bad,” she says, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Good. Go back to sleep. I just wanted to hold you.”
“You’re so much better than the pillow.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
DARBY
It’s been a week since the incident at the Kincaid ranch, and I’m still uncomfortable in clothes, but with the help of the antibiotic, the pain cream, and a man who hovers like I might need him at any second, I’m healing quite well. Certainly faster than I ever did when I was a kid, which tells me that getting medical attention was the right thing, even if I felt embarrassed about Blake seeing my back.
Today, I’m spending the afternoon with Harper and Ava at Ava’s place in Silver Springs so we can start going over wedding plans. I may not be Chad’s biggest fan, but I want to support my friend. If this is what she wants, I’m happy for her.
“I come bearing gifts,” I inform the girls as I walk into Ava’s adorable house. She’s in the heart of town, not too far from the elementary school, and the house is just cute as a button. It’s spotless and looks like it came out of a magazine, with beautiful rugs, the coziest furniture, and pretty touches that I’d expect from a highly sought-after interior decorator.
I texted ahead to get their coffee orders and stopped by Buzz, the local coffee shop, on my way over.
“You’re a godsend,” Ava says, accepting her cup and taking a long sip. “Their coffee is the best. Don’t tell your sister-in-law.”
“I’ll never tell. The older lady that works there is hilarious,” I say with a laugh. “And nosy as fuck.”
“Henrietta Hazelhoff,” Ava says with a knowing nod. “Or, just Etta. The woman is the town gossip, and if you told her anything, the rest of the town will know by the end of the day because she’ll post all about it on Facebook. She thinks she’s a news reporter for social media. I’m surprised she didn’t have a live video going and ask you to introduce yourself to the whole town while you were there.”
I blink at her and then laugh as I pass Harper her drink. “No, she didn’t, and I’m so glad I didn’t answer any of her questions. I got you decaf,” I say to Harper, and peek in on a sleeping Belle, who looks like a perfect angel, with her rosy cheeks and tiny lips, making a sucking motion as if she’s dreaming about eating. “Since you’re still feeding this one.”
“And we do not need to give girlfriend another reason to be up all night,” Harper agrees as she takes a sip. “She has all of her own reasons.”
“This is really great birth control,” Ava says. “I mean, I have the best of all the worlds. I get to snuggle her, read to her, spoil the fuck out of her, and then when she’s up all night, I’m fast asleep in my bed, dreaming about a threesome with Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans. A Chris sandwich, if you will.”
“Does Chad know about this sandwich?” I ask her with a knowing grin.
“Chad’s not there to care,” Ava replies with a smile. “Charlie’s on her way over too. She’s wrapping up a meeting in Bitterroot Valley.”
The doorbell rings, and I grin. I didn’t realize my sister would be here today.
“Never mind, she’s here,” Ava says with a laugh and stands to answer the door.
“Hi, sissy.” I smile as my sister immediately walks over and hugs me, but then gasp when her hand lands on my shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Charlie scowls, and I brush her question off, as if it’s no big deal.
“Sorry, I have an injury back there that’s still healing. I’m okay. Let’s talk all things weddings.”
My sister eyes me for a second and then sets her laptop and notebook, along with her giant tumbler of water, on the table and turns to Ava, but I can tell that she’ll be asking me questions later.
“Okay, let’s get down to business. We have the venue figured out,” Charlie begins. “You’re sure you want to get married at your family’s ranch?”
“I mean, it’s free, it’s beautiful, and I grew up there, so it makes sense.”
“It’s not exactly free,” Charlie says, and I’m so fucking proud of her as she puts her boss-babe hat on, commanding the room. “You’ll have to rent a tent, a floor, bathrooms, and that’s just the beginning. Which is not a problem at all, and I have no issue with organizing all of that for you, I just like to remind my brides that although it seems free, it never is.”