Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22539 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22539 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“That park ranger,” my mother says with a swallow. “He didn’t want to let you go.”
“He didn’t?”
Some parts are so clear, but others are a little fuzzy. I kind of remember him carrying me into the stables. The horses were looking at me. My friends and family were there.
The doctor wanted to look me over, but Noah didn’t want to put me down. I didn’t help the matter by clinging to his big sexy arm.
My father finally asked him in a firm voice and he surrendered me over. The doctor kicked everyone out but my parents and that was the last time I saw him.
“He stayed outside the whole time with that adorable dog beside him,” my mother explains. “Even when I told him that you were fine, he didn’t want to leave. I told him to go home and get some sleep. I told him that his dog looked hungry and that we would call him later, and he finally left, but it took a lot of convincing. He really didn’t want to. Do you know that guy?”
“Well… No. I guess I don’t.”
“He seemed quite taken with you.”
I perk up. “He did?”
She nods as she stares off into space like she’s lost in a daydream. “He was so handsome. He was cradling you to his chest and he wasn’t wearing a shirt. I was a little jealous.”
“Mom!”
She laughs. “What? I’m still a woman, you know! I always had a thing for park rangers.”
I close my eyes and shake my head. I guess my mother and I share the same fetish for hot park rangers. Great. I didn’t need to know that.
I need to change the subject before I learn more disturbing details that I won’t be able to forget.
“Is the horse still lost? Is anyone looking for him?”
Thunderbolt may be an out of control asshole, but I don’t want him to get hurt. The poor thing only ran because he got scared.
“He came back before you did,” Mom says. “Just strolled back into the stables like nothing happened.”
“Your dad wanted to punch him.”
“He wanted to punch a horse?!”
Oh God, I can only imagine what the owners of the stables think of my family now.
“It was very stressful for us!” my mother says, defending him. I don’t know how you defend wanting to punch a horse, but I guess that’s what happy couples do—have each other’s backs no matter what.
“I’m sorry,” I say as I hug her. “We can put it all past us and enjoy the rest of our vacation. I won’t get lost in the mountains again. I promise.”
“Just in case, I’m buying a GPS tracker for you.”
“Mom!”
“It will fit in your purse,” she says with a shrug. “You’ll barely even notice it.”
“We’ll see,” I say as I shake my head in disbelief. “You’re free to go now. I just want to take a shower and go get something to eat.”
“I don’t want to rush you, honey,” she says as I practically push her toward the door, “but there are a lot of people downstairs who would like to see you. They’ve been worried sick.”
I can’t help but smile, knowing they were all worried about me. “I’ll be quick.”
After the hottest shower of my life, I get ready and head downstairs. I put on an outfit that’s both casual and sexy—jean shorts with a loose white shirt that buttons up the middle. I leave an extra button open than I normally do and finish the outfit off with my new wedge sandals that I got on sale last week.
Everyone is waiting in the lobby. I get a lot of hugs and my shoulder is soaked (from my father, my sister, and my aunt’s tears) by the time I get through everyone.
I keep scanning the room, wanting to find someone in particular, but he doesn’t appear to be here.
When the sob-fest is over, and I’m finally free, I sneak over to the reception desk to speak with the twins.
“Oh great, they found you,” Tina says in a flat voice with absolutely zero emotion or happiness on her face.
“We told you riding animals was stupid,” Tiffany says with a scornful look.
I force out a smile. “Right... So anyway, I would like to thank the park ranger for saving me. Do you know where I can find him?”
“Twenty bucks,” Tiffany says.
“What?!”
“Twenty each,” Tina quickly adds.
“Are you serious right now? My life was in danger—“
“Because of your stupidity.”
“—and I’d like to thank the man who rescued me—“
“Waste of time as far as we’re concerned.”
“—and you’re charging me for it?!”
They both stare at me, then say ‘yes’ at the same time.
I want to scream in frustration, but I yank my purse open instead and fish out two twenty dollar bills. “There,” I say as I throw them on the counter. “Now, where can I find him?”