Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“That’s so awful.”
He scowled as though just realizing what he had said. They walked in silence down her street. She wasn’t quite sure what she could say to make things better.
He stopped abruptly and she stopped too, looking at where his gaze was aimed.
Oh shit.
The one day Mr. Johnson had to be out watering his azaleas. Horse was next to him. She hadn’t wanted to take him for a run when he was still recovering and gaining weight. Horse glanced over at them with a woof.
He glanced down at her. “Have you had your eyes checked lately?”
“What?” she asked.
That seemed a random question.
“Muscular neighbor who will come to your rescue if you need him?” he repeated her words.
“Yes, well, maybe I exaggerated slightly.”
“Maybe?” he repeated. “Maybe you lied.”
“That’s rude,” she grumbled. “I don’t lie.”
“Every second sentence out of your mouth seems to be a lie.”
She gasped. Wow. Rude. What was she doing talking to this man?
“Excuse me, I need to go and get ready for the day,” she huffed.
“Arabella,” he said sternly.
“Bye!”
“Stop,” he commanded as she walked away.
Her feet froze.
“Traitors,” she whispered to them. It was bad enough that they tripped up over air, but they kept listening to him!
“Who are you talking to?” he asked as he grew closer.
“No one. Myself.”
He stepped in front of her, not touching her but she swore she could feel the heat of his body.
“Look at me.”
She had to hold back a groan of frustration as she gazed up at him.
“Do not go running alone again. If you want to run, call me.”
Was he kidding her?
But he didn’t smile or say that he was joking. Did he really expect her to call every time she wanted to go for a run?
That was nuts.
“You may go now.”
“You can’t tell me when to go. Or when to run.”
“If you don’t listen to me, I’ll have to speak to Jake about your reckless behavior. It is not acceptable to put yourself in danger. Behave.”
And then he was gone.
Freaking Superman.
If Superman was an overly bossy, ridiculously protective caveman.
Arabella stared out of her car window in dismay.
She’d been in Haven for a week now.
And her back was absolutely killing her. So it was great that the bed had arrived.
There was just one problem. She hadn’t been here when it and the other packages had been delivered.
Getting out of the car, a wind whipped around her.
There were several boxes as well as a plastic-wrapped mattress on her front porch.
“What the heck? What happened to letting me know when they were going to deliver this?” she asked.
What was she going to do? She couldn’t leave it out here. There was a storm gathering in the distance and rain would ruin it.
Tears gathered in her eyes, defeat filling her.
Maybe her father was right.
She was useless. She couldn’t do anything on her own. And she didn’t have the intelligence that god had given a fly.
No, no.
She wouldn’t let those words shape her. She could do this. All she had to do was get the stuff inside.
It really wasn’t that hard
An hour later, her muscles were trembling as she pulled the last box inside. A crack of thunder made her jump and Horse howl.
She tugged on the box harder, willing it to move. Grabbing the base, she lifted it. But as she did that something went ping in her back and a cry of pain escaped her as she fell.
Oh hell.
This wasn’t good.
14
Eli paced back and forth as Kellan sighed and tried to concentrate on his laptop.
“What is wrong with you?” Kellan asked. “You haven’t sat still since we got back to the hotel. Are you worried about Shaw?”
“What? No. Yes, I mean, of course I am. And about Tucker. Are you sure sending Zimmer after him is a good idea?”
Hmm. It was a risky move, yes. Zimmer had helped them with a couple of cases. But he didn’t always operate on the right side of the law, not that they’d ever been able to pin anything on him.
Also, they hadn’t tried that hard.
“He’s good at finding people. Plus, he lives in Costa Rica.”
“He does?” Eli paused. “How do you know that?”
“A few simple deductions. Is that your problem? You’re worried about Tucker? Or is it that you’re missing work. Right now, we could be chasing down a murderer, a drug smuggler, busting a meth lab.” Kellan sighed. “Good times.”
“I’m not concerned about that,” Eli said with exasperation. “I’m concerned about Arabella.”
“Why?” Kellan attempted to keep the concern out of his voice. “Has something happened?”
“No, it’s just . . . what if she’s scared of storms?” Eli asked.
“Scared of storms?” Kellan repeated. “That’s your concern right now?”
“Yes, well, she might be. Damn, I’m being lame, aren’t I?” Eli said with a sigh.
“Pretty much.”
“Maybe it’s our duty to ensure that she settled in all right?” Eli suggested.