Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
The concern he used touched that place inside me that was only him. “I told them about the friendship we’ve formed. Lori seemed immediately regretful and helped save me. I shifted gears with my parents, tellin’ them about an investment into the animal sanctuary. They also believe your friends are still here.”
“Mace, I’m sorry,” Slade said, taking the seat beside me, encouraging me to take a drink. Even made perfectly, I’d never liked the concepts behind a martini.
“I’m more of a beer guy,” I said reluctantly with a grimace.
“Here.” Slade placed his martini on a side table, and hopped up, grabbing a can of Bud Light from the small refrigerator nearby.
“Thank you,” I said, halfway out of my seat to get it myself. “You take good care of me.” I didn’t plan those words, but speaking unguarded happened more and more these days.
“It’s what I’m trying to do, so it works out,” Slade said, chuckling, taking my martini and handing over the beer. The thing about Slade was that he used no unnecessary movements. He was fluid, and polished. He took the seat next to mine again, reaching his arm behind me to circle my back. “I had a productive day that I need to share with you.”
The new facial growth held a grip on me. He was so incredibly handsome. His perfectly plump lips were moving, and I forced my eyes away to concentrate on what he was saying.
“Kitt, Austin’s husband,” Slade said. This time when I looked at him, my brows drew together.
Of course, I knew Kitt Kelly. He was a landowner and legend in this area. His entire life was devoted to animal husbandry. His knowledge base was second to none, and he generally gave it free of charge.
“He’s volunteered his time to help with the plans for the sanctuary. I get the impression that he’s the real deal in this cowboy world. He’s made Austin more country too.”
“Huh,” I said, and tipped back the beer in the same way I used to, guzzling it down, preparing for the way this conversation was headed.
“He said he knows you.”
“You mentioned me?” Instant panic replaced the calm.
“I wasn’t thinking,” Slade said, instantly in defense mode.
I nodded as if I believed him as extreme anxiety had me launching myself out of the chair.
Thoughts shot through my mind in rapid-fire succession. After the way everything went down that afternoon with my parents, I wasn’t as freaked out about being outed as I was before. I had always had guy friends, and no one ever guessed the truth.
“You’re still safe. I wouldn’t compromise you or me, but I need to go to a meeting at Austin’s place. We’d only be gone a day or two. Maybe spend two nights if you can get the time off,” Slade explained. He followed me at a slower pace to the railing, staring out at the miles and miles of pastureland. He squeezed my shoulder. He circled my waist with his other arm, drawing my back against his chest.
“You want me to go?” I asked. I tilted my chin over my shoulder to better see him.
“Yes, I’ll talk to Austin. You and Kitt can talk. Then Austin will write a check to invest in the sanctuary.”
“No way,” I said, surprised. The way rich people tossed around money was insane. “How do they know I’m on the up and up?”
“Me, that’s how they know. And Kitt thinks I need to run cattle on my property. Just cows free-ranging it,” Slade said. His lips landed on my T-shirt covered shoulder, kissing me.
“I think you need to too,” I confirmed.
“I’ve tried. It didn’t break even for me,” Slade said.
“We’ll work on that,” I said, turning in his arms. “I don’t know, know Kitt. But he’s helped me out before.”
“He told me he has your eggs, whatever that means.” The quizzical expression Slade gave left it open-ended as to whether I answered or not. Since my emotional well-being was tied to Slade, and the way he stared at me told me he was still my very safe place, it was fine for him to know my many different secrets, including this one.
My mouth suddenly went dry. My tongue darted out, licking my lips to help me tell my truth. “About two years before Wildflower died, I won a pretty decent payout at a rodeo in Oklahoma. I used the money to get Kitt Kelly to harvest and save her eggs, so I’d always have a version of her around. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah, absolutely,” Slade said, taking a half a step backward, understanding the seriousness in my tone.
“Why haven’t you… used them?” Slade asked, using his hands as if to find words he was unfamiliar with.
“That’s the part that’s harder to say,” I said, as I rested my ass against the railing. “I don’t know that I can properly care for a descendant of Wildflower. Hell, am I able to properly care for anything, really? Look what I did to her.”