Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
I hear a whir and then a click. I jerk up and catch the woman taking a photo. I scowl and reach out.
“Hey, you can’t do that,” she cries as I grab the camera and whip the strap over her head. She tries to stop me, but my reflexes are better than hers. Quickly, I delete the photo.
“Don’t take photos of people without their permission,” I growl.
“Give me my camera back,” she demands.
I shake my head. “No. I don’t trust you. What’s your address? I’ll put it in the mail.”
“You will not. Give it to me now.”
“Do you need some help, Glory?” Mark Toscati has climbed back up the sand to the road and joined us.
“Yeah, this asshole was about to steal your car.”
“What the fuck?” Mark puts his hands on his hips and glares at me.
I throw my head back and sigh. This is exactly why I don’t like interacting with people. Time for me to go.
Chapter Two
Glory
This is one of the few times I hate being small. If only I were a few inches taller I wouldn’t be in my current situation. The one that includes the handsome man who easily holds my camera out of reach. Okay. I might need a whole foot or two added to my height in order to reach it.
This is not how this was supposed to go. I was trying to fly under the radar. Mark supposedly had a hot story for me. Those are hard to come by in a town like ours where everyone knows your business to begin with.
I was doing fine until this stranger popped up and began messing everything up. I’ve never seen him around here before, so he must be passing through. The way he was scoping out Mark's car, I’m guessing he was planning to steal it. I’ve lived in Cherry Falls my whole life and know everyone.
“Give her the damn camera back.” Mark tries to bark at the man, who has now dropped his head back to look up at the sky in clear frustration.
He’s the one bothering us and snooping around cars. So I’m not sure why he’s the one that’s frustrated. I take a moment to look at him. He has on jeans, designer boots, and an expensive jacket. All which fit him perfectly and add to his appeal.
He’s clean cut and more handsome than any man I’ve ever seen before. I’m quickly starting to think he’s not a thief at all. He’s too put together. The man drops his head back down, leveling Mark with a stare that would have any man shaking in their boots. Mark tries to stand up taller, but the man is a giant. I step in front of Mark, not wanting him to get himself hurt. The man is big, but I don’t think he’s threatening. I may be small, but I don’t let anyone push me around. So if he thinks he’s going to, he’s got another thing coming.
“Give the camera back.” I hold my hand out. “Or I’ll call Sheriff Larson.” I reach with my other hand for my phone, pulling it out of my pocket. The last thing I want to do is call Larson. He and I don’t always see eye to eye, and I don’t mean because he towers over me like the rest of the population.
Larson thinks I’m always looking for trouble. He’s right, but it’s not against the law or anything, so I don’t see the problem. If anything, I’m just trying to keep the man busy. Mr. Handsome plucks my phone out of my hand right as I was beginning to dial. This guy is something else. First my camera and now this.
“No police,” Mark mumbles from behind me. I glance over my shoulder at him. He shifts on his feet. He really must have a story for me. It must be really big based on the way he’s freaking out.
Could he be crunching numbers for the mob? I didn't know there was a mob in Cherry Falls, but maybe it’s new in town. That seems a little crazy even to me, but I’ll take whatever I can get at this point. It can be hard to come up with news in Cherry Falls. I’m sure the residents here are happy about that, but for a small town reporter it is Snoozeville.
His eyes bounce between Mark and me. “Why are you two out here?” he asks, still not giving me my stuff back.
“I’m the one asking the questions here.” I tilt my chin up, trying to sound forceful.
“And I’m the one with your phone and camera,” he points out.
“Okay, there is no story!” Mark blurts out. “It was the only way I thought I could get a date with—”
“What!” I squeak, jumping away from Mark. “You’re twice my age!” Not twice, but pretty dang close. The handsome man grabs me by the elbow, pulling me a few more feet away from Mark.