Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“The question is, do you want me there?” he asks, and I do for more reasons than one, but reasons I don’t want to admit.
“I think since you are in this, you should know it all, so let’s wait for Ryleigh,” I suggest. He parks the car and looks over at me.
“Are you saying that because you think I won’t cause a scene in front of anyone?” His statement is filled with venom. “Because you obviously don’t know me.”
The statement sends a shiver up my spine and also makes me feel just a touch sad since I don’t know him even though it feels like I do. I know he is a good man. I know he’s thrown down with my ex for no reason, except he knew it was wrong. I know my son sleeps better knowing he’s under his roof, and to me, that is everything. “I know what I need to know.”
He’s about to say something else when we hear the sound of a car approaching. “Here we go,” Brady says, getting out of the truck, and I follow him.
Charlie gets out of the driver’s seat and smiles over at me. “Figured it would be easier if I made the introductions,” he says of his grandfather that is coming out of his car.
My eyes go to the front passenger door that opens, and Casey gets out, not coming to me but instead opening the back door of the car, and I see the most beautiful woman get out. “Aren’t you the Southern gentleman,” she observes, and I recognize her voice as Ryleigh. My mouth hangs open because she’s literally supermodel gorgeous. She moves past him and comes right to me. “Harmony,” she greets me. I’m expecting her to hold out her hand, but instead, she comes in for a hug. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. We got here earlier than expected, so maybe we can talk before we head to the sheriff’s office.” I hear the men exchanging names and look over. “Don’t worry about them. They are the definition of overbearing and dramatic.” She rolls her eyes. “They are my husband’s uncles, and since we are married, I now get to claim them as mine.” She smirks. “They can be a tad protective, and after getting off the phone with Casey and Matthew heard of the situation, there was no way that they were going to let me come here by myself. It was either I bring them both or my husband comes and, well, that wouldn’t do anyone any good. So it’s the lesser of two evils.”
“Hi, I’m Casey.” He officially introduces himself to me. “That big bull is Matthew.” He points at the man who looks like he spends all the time in the gym. “And that’s his sidekick, who also keeps him in line”—he mentions the other man, who looks like he could take you down with one hand—“Max. They go by M and M.”
“We don’t,” Matthew denies, coming to me and shaking my hand. His piercing blue eyes are mesmerizing, but not as much as Max's. “In fact, we hate that.”
“Oh, okay,” I say, “good to know.” I look at them. “Would you guys like coffee or something?”
“No,” Charlie answers for them, “I’m leaving Ryleigh and taking the rest of them to the barn.”
“She going to be okay here?” Matthew asks Brady.
“I’m not leaving their side, and I’ll arm the house.”
Matthew looks at Max, who looks at Ryleigh. “Are you good with this?”
“No one knows I’m here,” she assures him, “and you think I’m going to let them scare me?” she scoffs. “Be gone before a house falls on you guys.”
“This isn’t Kansas.” Matthew laughs at her. “You keep your phone close, and you call me if anything happens.” He hands her a black bag.
“You got it, boss,” she confirms to him and then looks at me. “Shall we?” I nod at her and then look at Brady, who follows us inside. I’m not expecting him to arm the alarm, but he does it anyway.
“Let’s sit in the kitchen,” I suggest, walking to the back of the house. “Would you like a coffee?” I ask, and she nods.
“I’ll do it, baby,” Brady says softly, squeezing my hip. “You go sit.” Ryleigh watches, her eyes going from Brady to his hand at my hip, and I start to get nervous.
“There are muffins.” I point at the tray of muffins I also baked this morning. He just nods as I walk over to the table in the breakfast nook area.
“Okay,” Ryleigh begins, opening her bag and getting out her legal pad, “shall we get started?” I wait until Brady pulls out a chair beside me after handing a cup of coffee to Ryleigh and putting the plate of mixed muffins I made beside her pad. He sits right next to me, making sure he’s as close as he can be to me. His hand goes to my leg, giving me the support I didn’t know I needed.