Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
But I might have to get takeout from the one safe restaurant in town for my peanut.
The baby starts to squirm and fuss, and Bridger sways side to side.
“Someone’s about to wake up, need a diaper change, and a bottle. We’d better head home, baby bird.”
“Okay.” Birdie sighs as if it’s the saddest thing ever, then gives me a hug. “Don’t work too hard, Uncle Brooks.”
“I’ll do my best, baby girl.”
I set her on her feet, then walk to Bridger so I can kiss the baby.
“Thanks for stopping by.”
“Come for dinner tomorrow night. I’m grilling steaks.”
“I’ll be there.”
He nods. Birdie slips her hand in his, and the three of them walk out of my garage.
I’m alone in here today. I have three guys who work for me. My other master mechanic, Gabe, is on vacation with his husband and wife. Mitch took the afternoon off to take his wife to the doctor.
Jake Wild, who just graduated from high school in the spring, worked his ass off for me all summer, but now he’s off to college. He’ll put hours in for me whenever he’s home. I was sorry to see him go.
The kid has one hell of a work ethic.
He had to get it from his dad. Ryan Wild is a billionaire several times over and one of the best men I know. He and Polly are raising one hell of a kid.
I grab a cold bottle of water and drink half of it down before I turn on some music—some Aerosmith today—and get back to the truck I’m working on. I’d like to have it done by the end of the day.
Birdie looked good today. For too long, she was a tiny thing, and she was so sick. We couldn’t figure out what in the hell was going on, and it really upset Blake, the doctor in the family, that he didn’t have answers.
But finally, Birdie was diagnosed with celiac, and now that we know what foods aren’t safe for her, we can keep her healthy.
I both love and hate that there is a clean kitchen in our town. I didn’t even know what clean kitchen meant until everyone in the family had a sit-down with Blake to talk about what Birdie’s diagnosis meant, and how we all could protect her.
So yeah, I love that there’s a place here where Birdie can walk in, carefree, and order anything she wants, just like any other kid without food sensitivities.
But I fucking hate that it’s Juliet who brought it here.
I never spoke to her again after the day she chose to go back to that asshole. Not once. She tried to call me, but I ignored it, and after a while, she gave up. I told my family she was gone, and that was the end of it.
I’ve never told a soul what actually happened on the day I was supposed to propose to her and start my life with her.
I’ve done a good job of keeping it all in the past. It took a while, but I eventually dug myself out of the grief and started to feel, to live again. I fixed up the house and still live there. Bought this business from Old Man Hanson, and I’ve done quite well with it.
I don’t date. I’ll never be in a committed relationship again.
I do, however, fuck. Usually tourists.
Although, since someone moved back to town, I’ve been in a dry spell. Because I can’t stand the thought of touching someone else when she’s right here.
And that’s stupid as fuck because she hasn’t been mine in more than fifteen motherfucking years. A lifetime. I don’t even know her anymore.
But I can’t bring myself to want anyone else, and that’s what really pisses me off.
I see her everywhere, and the pull is still there. For the first six months or so that she was back, I never saw her. I don’t know how, but I never ran into her at all.
It was fucking bliss.
Now, my wildfire seems to be everywhere I fucking turn.
Jesus, she was even at my brother’s engagement party because she and Harper have become friends.
I see her coming out of the grocery store. This morning, she was across the street when I exited the coffee shop.
Everywhere.
Am I being punished for something? And if so, what? Because I did everything right by that woman. I was faithful. I was going to marry her, provide for her, and have a family with her. Fuck, I loved her more than anything.
So why am I being ambushed by her now?
I send a text to my customer and let him know that he can pick his truck up tomorrow morning, then I wash my hands and close the shop for the day. I take a quick shower in my shop bathroom. Installing this shower was the best thing I ever did. I don’t have to go home covered in grime and grease.