Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
“Would you allow me to take it with me and give it to him when he’s off duty?” Tim asked.
“Of course,” the young man agreed and set it on Tim’s palm when he held it out.
“Thank you. He’ll love it,” Tim said, placing it in his pocket.
“That’s just dumb. Let the dog have his treat now,” an elderly woman behind them deliberately pronounced the word and stressed it loudly.
When Aspen turned to explain, Tim picked up the bag and requested, “Let’s go.”
Immediately, Aspen closed her mouth and led the way through the exterior doors to her car. “Do you run into mean people a lot?”
“Not often. Most people are good to the core. Every once in a while, I’ll find someone who deliberately overcharges me or who tries to sabotage Boston’s efforts to guide me safely. Some of it is ignorance and some is evil. She thought I was being harsh with Boston. She didn’t realize that he loves his job and delaying having something extra to eat isn’t as much of a thrill as earning my appreciation.”
“I love my job, too,” she whispered as she opened the trunk for them to store all their purchases.
“I love having you close to me—whether that be in our office or tucked in bed,” Tim whispered back before admitting, “That’s a total lie. I love having you near me at work. I’m now addicted to having my Little girl’s sweetness pressed to me in bed.”
“Daddy!” she protested, looking around to see if anyone was listening. Thank goodness, several rows separated them from anyone else.
“Such a shy baby,” he observed, cupping her face before leaning in to press a kiss to her lips.
Suddenly, Aspen really didn’t care what anyone else saw. She returned his kiss eagerly until Boston pushed against their legs, alerting the couple that a car was getting too close. Aspen immediately urged Tim away from the car trying to park in the empty spot next to them.
When they got out, she acknowledged their thanks with a dismissive wave of her hand as she fumed inside. There were a hundred other parking spots. Why did they have to choose that one?
“Let it go, Little girl,” Tim urged as he got into the passenger seat. “Take my word for it. Life’s too short to waste on being angry.”
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“Shall we take the toys home so you and Boston can play?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I’d like that.”
“What are you going to call your alligator?” he asked.
“Ally. She has the longest lashes.”
“I love it. Will she be okay in the trunk?” Tim asked.
Aspen paused for a minute to think about that. “She’ll be fine. There’s lots of space back there. Ally and Boston’s cheese can play catch.”
When they turned the first corner, a crinkling sound preceded a ball bouncing off the side wall. Tim turned to Aspen and announced, “Let the games begin!”
She giggled all the way home.
Chapter 8
As they tried out the new ball in the greenspace that afternoon, Aspen’s heart ached. Could this relationship last? Each moment she spent with him made her want more.
“My spidey senses are in alert mode. What are you worrying about, baby?”
“I just want to remember all this,” she answered, skirting the issue.
“We can do it all again tomorrow or next weekend or next year,” he assured her.
“Will we be together next year?” she whispered.
“We’ll be together for as long as you’ll put up with a bumbling boss,” he said, obviously trying to lighten her mood.
“I’m scared,” Aspen admitted.
“Boston, to me!” Tim immediately called the dog back to him before brushing his hand through her hair. “Don’t be, Little girl. We need to talk if you haven’t realized yet that I’m not going anywhere.”
“Really?” she whispered.
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” he assured her, drawing a grin from her. Aspen had never heard him swear before—ever!
A couple minutes later, she held Boston’s slobbery ball as they made their way to B Tower. At the elevator, he asked, “Where would you feel most comfortable talking?”
“Your apartment,” she answered immediately, picturing Ally in her mind. Her stuffie was taking a nap on his couch while they took Boston out.
“Perfect.”
The silence could have been deafening in the few seconds it took to rise to his floor, but Tim stayed in constant contact with her, rubbing her back to reassure her. When the doors opened, Aspen led the way down the hall. When he triggered the lock, she rushed in to sit on the couch, hugging Ally to her chest as she watched Tim remove Boston’s harness and gear to send the dog over for a drink and a rest in his bed. When she saw him gather a magnifying glass, a large pad of paper, and two pens from his workspace, Aspen sat up straight.
“Am I going to write something?”
“We’re going to write something.” Tim sat next to her on the couch and tore several sheets of paper off the pad for himself before handing it to her.