Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Chapter 9
Ashton
The scent of fried bacon fills the kitchen as Emily gestures animatedly with a spatula, insisting BLTs are the perfect dinner food after a long, busy day.
Truth be told, I don’t care what we’re eating for dinner as long as she’s here with me. When my phone interrupts the moment with an insistent buzz, I snap back to reality with a thud.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I glance at the screen and see Dillon’s name flashing. Fucking hell.
Asshole in Charge
Are you planning to grace us with your presence tomorrow?
I chuckle, picturing the pinched look on his face right now. While enjoying the weekend with Emily, I’d almost forgotten about the rest of the world.
With a sigh, I type out a quick reply, knowing full well that despite the fun, I can’t dodge work. We may have our share of downtime, but the station runs on dependable routines. Most of the time.
Me
I’ll be there.
Asshole in Charge
Good. Because Roger already called in for tomorrow.
Fucking hell. Dealing with this shit is why I never want to have Dillon’s job.
Me
He needs a good swift kick in the ass.
Asshole in Charge
No shit. We’ll discuss it tomorrow.
Emily looks over with an eyebrow raised, sensing the shift in my demeanor as I tuck my phone away. “Everything okay?”
I shrug, injecting a touch of drama. “Dillon’s just reminding me about work tomorrow.”
“Ah,” she says, nodding knowingly. “I guess we both have to work tomorrow.”
“Unfortunately,” I echo, the warmth of her presence easing the sting of reality’s intrusion.
After we eat our dinner, we head into the living room to watch a movie with Edna following our steps.
Later, we take Edna out for one last walk. The stars blink above us, scattered like whispers across the darkened sky. The air is crisp and chilly but not too cold for a short stroll.
Our shoulders brush as we stroll along, and the connection between us thrums like a steady, unbreakable current.
We pause as Edna stops to investigate something undoubtedly fascinating to her all-knowing snoot, and Emily looks at me with a depth that makes my breath hitch a little.
After my spoiled pooch finally finds the right spot to do her business, we head back to the house.
As we sit in the living room, with Edna snoozing peacefully beside us, I glance over at Emily, who’s riffling through her notes and checking her schedule for the week. The determination on her face is contagious, and I want nothing more than to support her, but this nagging worry claws at my insides. I know Silver Spoon Falls is a safe place, but the reality is that she’s about to start a mobile business, pulling onto strangers’ properties. The cop in me tugs at the edges of my thoughts, reluctantly coming to the forefront.
Trying to choose my words carefully, I end up blurting out, “Who are your clients for the first day?”
She looks up from her notepad, her brow furrowing slightly at my question. “Is there a reason you’re asking?”
I sit up, leaning forward, willing her to see the sincerity in my eyes. “I’m concerned for you, gorgeous. You’re going into strangers' homes alone. I want to know you’re safe.”
There’s a flicker of something in her gaze—maybe surprise, maybe understanding, but I can’t quite decipher it. “I appreciate the concern, but I’ve done my research. Most of the clients I booked are referrals from others in town. They’re dog people, usually friendly and welcoming.”
“Okay, but friendly doesn’t always mean safe,” I point out, my protective instincts kicking in. “I just want to make sure you’re covered.”
She leans back in her chair, biting her bottom lip. “I don’t want you to worry. I’ve spent time researching the area, and I checked out my clients.”
“Still,” I press, and my voice comes out a little more intense than I intended. “I can’t help but think there are risks involved, no matter how safe the town seems. I need to know you’re protected.”
“Are you planning to run a background check on all my clients?” she shoots back. There’s a fire in her eyes, stirring up conflicting feelings in me. I know my independent woman wants to do this on her own, but there’s no way I’ll ever risk her safety.
“Just give me a name or two so I can at least have an idea of who you’re dealing with. I need to know you’re safe; it’ll ease my mind a bit,” I say, my intense feelings combined with the weight of my concern for her building inside me.
Emily exhales, seemingly processing what I’m saying rather than reacting out of frustration. “You’re really worried about this, aren’t you?”
“Hell yes,” I mutter. “Your safety means everything to me. The last thing I want is for you to find yourself in a situation that could’ve been avoided.”
She softens at my words, and a smile breaks through. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”