Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Hi. Hey.” Benji blinks some more and then takes his glasses off to rub his eyes.
“What are you doing?” Mik asks.
“The house was too quiet,” Benji replies. “I’m used to a loud city, so I decided to come work here. Billie set me up, and Millie kept bringing me drinks.”
Mik and I share a look, then he takes his husband’s hand and pulls him to his feet, planting a kiss on Benji’s forehead.
“Let’s get you home, and I’ll feed you.”
“Yeah.” Benji grins and cups Mik’s cheek tenderly. I love their love so much. “I guess I’m hungry. How did you two do today?”
“It was a good rehearsal,” I reply. “We’re ready for next week.”
I didn’t think we’d ever be ready. The rehearsals and getting back in shape were much harder than I remember. But it’s also been magical to dance with Mik again, so I’ve savored every moment.
I’ll be as sad as he is when it’s all said and done.
“Of course you are,” Benji says as he throws his empties away. “You two are the best there is. Do you guys want something from next door?”
“Yeah, I want an iced coffee,” I reply and wave at Billie, who’s busy ringing up customers. It’s crowded in here today.
Mik and I order an iced Americano, then the three of us walk back to the studio with Riley still at my side. My phone rings.
“This is Beckett,” I inform them and answer. “Hello there, handsome.”
“Hey, gorgeous. I’m so sorry, but I can’t come to town to pick you up. We discovered some fence down, and I’m dealing with a grizzly bear.”
My eyebrows wing up. “Wait, you’re dealing with a grizzly bear right now?”
“No, I have a call out to Fish and Wildlife. Usually, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but it’s too close to my cabins, and I don’t need anyone getting hurt. So I can’t get away, baby.”
“It’s okay.” I turn to the boys. “Can you two give me a lift home?”
“Of course,” Benji replies.
“I have a ride. You take care of what you have going on out there, and I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Thanks, baby. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I hang up and see both of the boys watching me. “What?”
“You’re so lovesick.” Benji shakes his head.
“Uh, hello. Do you even see the way you two look at each other? It’s borderline disgusting most of the time.”
“Touché.” Benji laughs. “Come on, let’s get your stuff and get you home.”
“Hey, Miss Gallagher,” Brad says when I walk into the horse barn an hour later. After getting home, I changed clothes, got Riley some dinner, and decided to see if I could find my man.
Not the bear.
“Hello, Brad. I don’t suppose Beckett’s back yet?”
“No, ma’am.” He grins when his dog, Sadie, hurries over to say hello to Riley. “Those two are good friends. If you ever need anyone to watch over Riley for you, I’m happy to do it.”
My jaw drops in surprise. I’m still getting used to this small-town hospitality.
“Really?”
“Sure. Riley’s the best-trained dog I’ve ever met, and Sadie loves him. He’s welcome at our place.”
“You know, we’re all going to London next week for the coronation, and I’d rather not take Riley. It’s a tough trip for him.”
“Don’t even worry about it,” Brad says, shaking his head. “He’ll be here with us.”
That’s a weight off my shoulders that I didn’t realize I was carrying. “Thank you so much.”
“Beck should be back in a few. He was heading this way about ten minutes ago.” He smiles at me, then whistles for Sadie to follow him, and the golden lab follows her master, but Riley looks up at me with sad brown eyes.
“Aw, did your friend have to go home?” I rub him behind his ears and bend down to kiss him. “It’s okay. You’ll see her soon.”
I hear the clop of horse hooves and see Beckett riding this way. Bloody hell, he looks good on a horse. He’s wearing riding chaps over his jeans, along with brown leather gloves and his cowboy hat, and my core tightens.
“Well, shite, Riley. He’s a sight for sore eyes, isn’t he? Look at how he fills out those jeans.” Beckett swings off the horse, giving us a view of his arse, and I bite my lip. “Oh gods, that butt. And the shoulders. Have you ever seen a man so … big? He’s bloody huge, Riley.”
I’ve buried my face in the dog’s neck, hugging him as I talk.
“I fucking love that dirty mouth of yours.”
I don’t pull away. I smile against Riley and let out a little giggle. Then his hands are on me, pulling me up and against him so he can hug me.
“I hope you were talking about me,” he growls against my ear as his gloveless hand drifts down my hair.