Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
My shoulders stiffen as the tension grows in me. “I came to check on you.”
“Brooks, how are things?” I ask him, trying to act normal, but there’s nothing normal about the way Honey is making me feel.
“Good, so are you here about the building issues at the farm?”
“Yes.”
“You know about it?”
“Of course I do. Even though you manage the bee farm, we both own it, sweetie. Paul told me that he was able to get Mr. Knight’s company to handle the repairs and that he’d be here to discuss it with you tonight.” So he’s here to make sure I don’t swindle his sister. As a brother that’s a good thing to do, but when it comes to Honey, I’d never do anything to hurt her, and I’d sure as fuck never screw over any client.
“Oh. Dang, you know I don’t get in your way,” she huffs, wagging her finger in his face.
“Says the girl who spent months getting me into shape again.” I smirk at the two because now I know why Paul wanted it done as well. With Brooks as the mayor and our name in good standing with him, we could get more projects tossed our way.
We need to get into this area a little more and now I’ve decided I want to live here. Especially if it means getting to see this lovely creature every chance I get.
“So about the work…” I say, drawing her attention back to me.
“Oh yes, sorry about that, Mr. Knight.” She goes on to explain the needs. All of which will take two guys about a day’s worth of work, maybe two.
“It’s okay, Honey. Now, because it’s short notice, I don’t have a full team to handle it, but don’t worry because I’ll get it completely done for you within the next day or two.”
“Really? That fast?” Her brows raise up in shock and her pretty, kissable mouth parts, making me salivate.
Seeing the way her brother’s eagle eyes are watching me, I answer professionally as possible, “Yes, Ms. Payne.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Now, if you’ll excuse me. It’s been a long day and I have an early start. I take the form I filled out as she spoke and have her sign the paperwork and then shake Brooks’s hand and then hers. Damn, what a motherfucking difference. I hate letting it go, but I know better.
Walking away from her will be hell. Still, I do my best and leave her shop to make a quick call to my doctor to see about this allergy of mine and what I can do for tomorrow morning because no one but me is taking on this project.
Chapter One
Axel
Listening to the weather radio makes my stomach turn. It crackles like we’re in a bygone era; warnings blaring to escape the seaside before it’s too late. Tropical Storm Gretchen to make landfall in two hours and to hit Sweet Temptation Bay head on. Please make preparations to evacuate if you can. Winds, rain, and debris will make conditions too hazardous to be on the road. Flooding will be likely in many low-lying areas.
The weather has turned and it won’t be long until mother nature shows us who is the true boss. I jam my boot on the pedal, speeding back to town while the rest of the town’s people have gone the opposite way or at least just those with sense have left.
My first stop had been the bee farm, but Honey wasn’t there. I redial the same number again for the third time, but it goes straight to voicemail, which probably means it’s off or the battery is dead. It’s pissing me off that she’s not answering her phone. I’m hoping it’s just powered down and she’s somewhere safe, far away from the storm, but I’m betting that’s not the case.
I called Honey’s neighbor, who is also my head project manager. He’s good enough to keep tabs on her for me, even though I never asked. Hell, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have met my sweet girl when I did or have insinuated myself into her life like I have. “Hey, Paul, are you and your family out safe?”
“Yeah, we left this morning, but I’m sure that’s not why you’re calling, is it?” he asks, reading me like a damn book. If anyone knew how I felt, it was the man who had seen me nearly every day.
“No, it’s not,” I chuckle. “When was the last time you saw Honey?”
“This morning while my wife and I were packing up the car.”
“Was she leaving?” Please tell me she left and you know where she was going. I silently plead. The thought of losing her is unbearable. Yes, the storm has been downgraded from a Category one hurricane to a tropical storm, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not in for a hell of a rough time, and my baby girl needs me whether she knows it or not.