Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Yes?” She walks toward me, so my gaze returns to the monitor. He’s squirming around now, making soft little cooing noises.
“It’s killing you to watch and not sneak into his room, isn’t it?” she asks.
“So much.” I’m wringing my fingers, and I’ve practically got ants in my pants.
“Go get him, but if he’s too heavy to lift while you’re recuperating, don’t do it. The last thing I need is Lane hollering,” she says as I drop my laptop bag to the floor.
“I won’t. Promise.” Catherine squeezes my hand gently before I head into Case’s room, ready to get some baby cuddles.
“So, are you happy with how things are turning out, business-wise, I mean? It’s clear as day Lane will have you knocked up in no time,” Tully says as we walk toward the calving area. They’ve separated the calves from their moms in order to vaccinate and brand them. There are too many times a cow will be found on the side of the road or in a different pasture, especially in these parts.
“It looks like we missed the worst of it,” I tell Tully. “And yeah, I mean, the Johnsons still have to go over everything to make sure they’re okay with the money side of business. I’m worried I’ll be charging them too much, honestly. I mean, Lane and I are a forever kind of deal. Shouldn’t I be doing this for free?” This battle has been waging inside of me ever since Lane brought it up. While, yes, it took me a full day to do the Johnsons’ and my mom’s website, it was more fun than it was work.
“Um, hello? This is me here. I’d do anything for free except refuse a job that was given to me.” She waves her hands around in front of us as if there’s more news than she’s letting on.
“Who gave you a job offer?” The last we spoke, she was still looking at options. The vet in town seems to always be hiring. Though that speaks volumes in itself. Who would want to work at an office with a revolving door?
“No one, promise. My parents offered to give me money to start my own practice, and it rubbed me the wrong way. I told them no, and they said well, how about a loan? Now I’m all jumbled in my head. It would make the best business sense, but it’s a lot of money. A lot of what-ifs to think about,” my best friend admits.
“For what it’s worth, I think a loan would be a great idea. I know there’s a lot to think about and numbers to run. It might be worth it in the long run.” I knock her shoulder with mine. Rocky is running in front of us, sniffing the air, chasing after birds, only for them to get away and for him to bark in annoyance.
“I’m going to. I like how you avoided the part of our conversation where Lane is going to have you pregnant in a matter of weeks. Imagine him coming inside the house while you were holding his nephew. Shewww, we’d all be a witness to what he’d do to you, and I’ve only been in his presence a couple of times.” I watch as Rocky gets closer to the round pens where the cows are. A couple of the calves’ heads are poking through the makeshift fencing. They always think the grass is greener on the other side, and my dog sure likes to test his limits. What Rocky doesn’t expect is a cow’s tongue coming out to lick him when he’s not looking. His little body does a one-eighty, his teeth come out, and so does his bark. The cow jerks back. Rocky keeps getting closer with the yipping, his Rocky Balboa personality coming out when he’s not even named after the movie. “Your dog is special, Birdie, real special.” Tully and I burst out in laughter.
“I wish my phone was at the ready. Imagine having that pop up in your memories year after year.” Our antics draw the attention of the Johnson brothers. Except my eyes are only looking at one. Lane Johnson. Hot, sweaty, and dirty from working all day. This visual is my own personal foreplay, and I’m going to enjoy the show he’s giving me when he slowly heads my way. Everyone else disappears.
19
LANE
“This plan is really good,” Lawson states his thoughts. The others are still mulling it over. He’s always been the one who can see a number, multiply it, divide it, triple it, and figure out the ins and outs before any of us others could. I smile around a mouthful of the food Mom provides us for lunch when we’re working near the house. I was also lucky enough to see my woman, steal a quick kiss, and get inside before Mom started hollering to hurry up.