Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
If fourteen-year-old Tommy had been even a little bit like the determined, capable man who’d saved Hazel yesterday, I could see why.
Tilly smiled wistfully into her whiskey tumbler. “I find Eagle Scouts to be insufferable, present company included. You’re god’s gift to emergency preparedness and moral superiority, not to mention perfectionists who think you know everything because you can start a fire with two sticks and a merit badge.” She sighed. “But I guess Tommy’d picked up a thing or two at Scouts that came in handy.”
I grinned. “You’re wrong about me being an Eagle Scout… but I happen to agree with you about the rest.”
Tilly eyed me up and down. “Huh. Aged out before completing the badges? Figures. Not everyone has what it takes.”
My snort-laugh took me by surprise. It also shocked the hell out of Alex, who gaped at us from the other end of the bar before quickly returning to whatever task he was using as an excuse to stay well away from our conversation.
“If only the rest of us could be as perfect as Dr. Thomas Marian,” I said with a reluctant smile.
“Your lips to god’s ears.” She leaned her elbow on the bar and rested her chin in her hand. “So why don’t you want him?”
I blinked at her. “I… I thought we were studiously avoiding this part of the conversation,” I admitted.
“I lulled you into a false sense of safety.” Tilly winked. “Trap sprung. Also, I stole your truck keys.”
I patted my pocket. Empty. “The fuck?”
She patted her chest. “In my bra. Where they’re safe. And you won’t go digging.”
That was for sure. Still…
“I’m not talking to you about my love life,” I insisted. “And I’m sure as hell not talking to you about Tommy’s.”
Tilly flicked a hand in the air. “I already know you kissed in Hawaii.” When I shot her a look, she continued smugly, “Tommy told Ella, and Ella told her father, and Blue Marian tells me everything. What I want to know is why it can’t work.”
For a moment, I floundered. Then I countered with, “Who says either of us wants it to?”
Her hand came up to fake a yawn. A ring with giant diamonds caught and scattered the light. “Spare me the denial, Man Candy. I don’t have much time left.”
The news was surprising. “Are you sick?” That would devastate Tommy. Family was everything to him.
Her face crinkled in confusion. “What? Hell, no. I’m tired and need my beauty rest. So let’s skip the conversational gymnastics. Why don’t you want my Tommy?”
I ground my teeth together before capitulating. “I do. I do want him. And if you can figure out how to make it work when we live noncompatible lives, I’ll buy you a bottle of whatever whiskey you prefer.”
Tilly’s eyes lit up. “You’ll regret that offer because I will take you up on it.”
Now it was my turn to shrug. “You talk a big game, lady.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t get smart with me, boy. I’ve been managing Marian men since before you were born.”
I let out a laugh, unsure why I was engaging with this firebrand. “Tommy doesn’t need managing.”
He needs loving. And if I could figure out how to be the one to do it, I would.
Before I could respond, Alex’s shout rang through the bar. “Another random fire safety inspection? We just had one!”
I glanced over to see an attractive older man I recognized as the fire chief who’d been at the scene of Hazel’s accident yesterday. At the time, he’d struck me as being coolheaded and efficient as he’d helped manage the rescue effort.
Now, he was flushed and intent as he leaned over the bar, eyes focused on Alex.
“That’s what ‘random’ means, firebug,” he growled. “If you knew when they were coming, you’d get your house in order and pass with flying colors.”
Alex threw up his hands. “You’re insane, Kincaid! This is harassment! What the fuck is wrong with you? Why me?”
“Do you really want a list, Marian? Because I could give you one.”
Tilly giggled softly. She nodded at Alex and shot me a look of extreme satisfaction. “Case in point.”
I blinked at her. “What do you mean?”
“Never you mind. Here’s what you need to do. You need to find a way to remind Tommy what it is he really wants.”
“Pretty sure he knows exactly what he wants. The man is currently in California, interviewing for his dream job. Face it, we’re different people with different lives. He belongs in the city, and I belong in Wyoming.”
“Says who?” The shrewd intelligence in her eyes was unsettling.
“Says… reality?” I shook my head. “I’m a small-town sheriff who pulls tourists out of trees. He’s a brilliant trauma doc who saves lives in ways I can’t even comprehend. You should have seen him during Hazel’s accident—”
“Oh yeah? What’d you see out there?”