Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Silas turned his attention to Alanna. “Tomorrow morning, Ginny will walk you around the rest of the property, show you the jobs you’ll be taking over for her. You can start work on Monday.”
“But … that’s three days away. I can work this weekend,” Alanna protested.
“Monday is soon enough. Your salary is for Monday through Friday. Tomorrow isn’t a day off. By the time she gets done showing you around, you’ll need Friday off. You can also use Friday to make a list of what you want from your home so Ginny can pack for you.”
He turned his attention to his sister. “Matthew and Isaac volunteered to drive you. They know you’ve been wanting to go shopping.”
“You don’t have to.” Alanna glanced at Ginny worriedly. “I don’t want to put any of you out. I can make do—”
“You’ll be doing her a favor.” It was Gavin who put an end to her protests. “She’s been asking me to take her. It will give me and Freddy a boys’ day.”
Unlike with Silas, Alanna didn’t argue with Gavin. The quick darts of fear she kept casting in Gavin’s direction showed she was afraid of him.
“I’ll do the dishes.” Getting up from the table, Alanna started picking up the dirty dishes.
“Leave them. It’s Fynn and Jody’s turn.” Matthew stood up from the table to take the dishes away from her. “Isaac, key in my number for her,” he said from over his shoulder as he carried the dishes to the sink.
When he walked out of the kitchen, he saw Alanna heading out the front door with Moses, Gavin, and Ginny carrying Freddy. Rushing forward, he was following Ginny when Silas pulled him back, shutting the door.
“Gavin and Ginny are going to walk her back to the trailer.”
Matthew shook Silas’ hand off his arm. “I’m walking her—”
“No, you’re not.” Silas maneuvered in front of the door, blocking him from leaving.
“Move, Silas.”
“No. You’ll scare her off if you come on too strong. After she saw you, I was afraid she would go for the truck instead of coming in the front door. Don’t lose your shit when you’re so close to having it all.”
His jaw jutted out stubbornly. “Move … I just want to talk to her a little longer.”
Isaac, Jody, Ezra, and Fynn moved in front of Silas.
Isaac raised a brow at him. “We both know you’re wanting more than talking. If Silas can act normal in front of his woman for years, then you can, too, for a few weeks until she gets to know you better.”
“She knows me.”
“She thinks you’re a figment of her imagination. She thinks we both are,” Silas said from behind his brothers. “You didn’t see her face when she realized you were in jail with her. You missed how she wouldn’t take Freddy from Ginny until she moved away from Gavin.” Silas gave a deep sigh. “Once she gets comfortable with you and the rest of us, it will be easier to tell her.”
“How is she going to get comfortable with me when you won’t even let me walk her to the trailer?” Matthew ran a trembling hand over his closely cut hair.
“I didn’t say you couldn’t be around her, just not tonight. Your emotions are all over the place. Hell, I thought you were going to jump over the table when she was eating dessert.”
Storming toward the couch, he threw himself down irritably. Knowing his brother was right didn’t make admitting it any easier.
“This sucks,” he groaned, burying his head in his hands.
“Fynn, Ezra, you can get started on the dishes,” Silas ordered.
Matthew felt the couch sink down next to him. Then Silas laid a comforting a hand on his back. “It could be worse.”
“How?” Matthew lifted his head to glare at his older brother.
Silas watched Fynn leave the room before giving him a sly grin. “You might have blue balls, but at least you don’t have a case of morning sickness, like Ginny usually does,” he said meaningfully.
Matthew frowned, thinking Silas had lost it. Then realization dawned. Reaching his hand down to the side, he pulled down the lever to raise the recliner.
“You want to watch the game?” He couldn’t bear another lonely night alone in his trailer, not when Alanna was just steps away from his.
Silas gave him another pat, getting up. “I’ll get the beer.”
Isaac sat down across from him on the other couch, making himself comfortable. “Grab me one, too.” Isaac threw a smirk in his direction. “And can you get me some more of that strawberry truffle? Make sure you put plenty—”
Matthew didn’t let Isaac finish what he was about to say. He couldn’t. A fist was blocking his airway.
Chapter Nine
Matthew looked at the time on his cell phone. Was eight too early? Unable to take pacing around his trailer another second, he went outside.