Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
I lean in, hoping no one hears me as I ask, “You okay there, Noelle?”
She nods, but that smile she sends me is only a mask. “Yeah, just tired.” She leans in. “Big Seb got a bit lost last night.”
I draw in my brows. “What? Why didn’t you call?”
Noelle lives on a small plot of land between the Reindeer Rumpus Ranch and the mountains. Her parents’ house, now hers, is basically in Sebastian Lawson’s backyard. Her daddy and Big Seb were best friends, and when she lost both her parents, she moved in to her family home. Big Seb is a force to be reckoned with, a huge personality and a loving but stern man. Unfortunately, his mind isn’t what it used to be. He’s got early-onset dementia.
My voice is lower as I lean in even closer. Big Seb doesn’t want anyone knowing the truth. Thinks it’ll ruin his business and doesn’t want people feeling sorry for him. “I talked to Little Seb last week. He said things are finally settled, and he’ll be coming into town next week.”
Noelle’s eyes widen a bit, and her cheeks turn bright red. She has had a huge crush on Little Seb since we were kids, and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason she hasn’t ever had a relationship.
Can’t judge her. Same, sister.
We’re two like souls in that matter.
“Big Seb didn’t tell me that, but he was real off last night.”
I reach out, taking her hand in mine. “Call me.”
She nods, her eyes full of gratitude. “I will.”
I give her a wink that has her giggling, and I grin back. I know the effect I have on women, especially when I’m clean-shaven with only my lip sweater on display. I turn to look over my shoulder, and I see Bea eyeing me. Her eyes are full of appreciation and trouble. She’s pushing ninety and still a damn menace.
“I tell you what, Dean Moore. I don’t know how you fight fires in those tight little cargo pants.”
I snort at that, shaking my head as the whole shop breaks out in laughter. I’m not embarrassed, though. No, I know she’s only picking at me. “What do you expect? All that working out I did with Jett has me packing two hams in these pants.”
More laughter ensues, and I take it as a win when her face matches her bright-pink hair. Bea winks, and I flash her a wicked grin as I hold up my cup to thank her. But then Hazel says, “Well, when you split ’em, you know who to come to.”
Her words are teasing, but she’s undressing me with those eyes of hers. Little cougar. I smile graciously. “Yes, ma’am. I do.”
The Belles all shoot me man-eating grins that sweet older ladies shouldn’t have. “I tell you what, it’s a crime no one has locked you down,” Hazel announces, and I snort.
“Ha! You all know I’ve got my hands full.”
“Well, if you don’t mind an older lady, I volunteer,” Bea tells me with a twinkle in her eye. Everyone is laughing, catcalling, and I keep my gaze locked on her. I love this woman; she has been a pillar in this community my whole life. She brought me juice boxes and PB&J sandwiches before and after games. A little innocent flirting to make her day is the least I can do.
She made a mean PB&J. I think she added honey.
“Ms. Bea, we both know I couldn’t handle you.”
The room explodes into mayhem at that comment. Bea’s face is darker than her hair, and I tip my drink at her. I’m about to walk out, knowing I made her night, when Kitty calls out, “I heard Kenleigh is back in town.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning like a fool. I haven’t seen her yet, but damn if I don’t feel her back in town. I feel the anticipation like the rumble of thunder before the storm descends. My chest is tight as I say, “I may have heard the same.”
“Hopefully, you two have grown out of getting arrested together,” Kitty teases, and I chuckle with a lift of my right shoulder.
“Listen, my record is clean. All that happened before I was an adult.”
“Doesn’t mean we all don’t remember,” Maggie reminds me, and I laugh at that.
“Oh, none of y’all forget a thing,” I confirm as the bell above the door rings, and we all look at the newcomer. My brother-in-law walks in with his hands tucked into his belt as his handcuffs jingle and jangle. He’s almost as tall as me, but way leaner. He’s stronger than he looks, but he’s lanky as all fuck. His dark-blond hair is buzzed tightly along the sides with a nice comb-over that makes him look like a put-together officer. But being married to my sister? He’s got to have a few screws loose. He nods toward me, and I do the same as he comes to stand beside me.