Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“I’m in if you’ll feed me a decent breakfast,” Julian quipped, reaching for the unopened treats Beckett had found.
“What? You don’t like powdered donuts. They’re the breakfast of champions!”
“Pfft,” Julian tossed his hands in the air at such an insult to breakfast. He casually walked through the door that Beckett held open, no longer clutching him as if his life depended on their connection.
Beckett tucked his hands inside his jeans pockets and followed Julian out. At the front doors of the building, Julian found a child sitting with his parent. He nodded at the parent, asking for permission. When it was granted, he leaned down and offered the donuts and juice to the little guy.
Beckett couldn’t contain his grin, seeing how caring Julian was with a child. Life was definitely going to be something special with this man by his side.
Chapter 39
The old trail leading to the main cabin had needed repair before Beckett and his father had ever started their business. It had always been on their need-to-do list, falling so low it never got done. Now he regretted that delay. No matter how slowly Beckett drove, the cab of the truck yawed from side to side from the deep dips and ruts. His sleeping beauty, who had conked out maybe ten minutes into the ride and had stayed asleep through every refueling and bathroom break Beckett had made, finally lifted his head, his tired eyes cracking open to look at Beckett.
They had made great time on their way back to his home. The sun was just beginning to set in the distance. The mountain range made a gorgeous backdrop with its rugged, majestic beauty. Beckett’s soul filled with satisfaction and pride. He, his father, and Randy had really made something with their lives and the place had come alive under their care. Excitement bubbled within to finally have Julian not only see but be a part of his world.
“Where are we?” Julian mumbled. A jaw-stretching yawn tore free. Julian stretched his body every which way he could inside the confines of the cab before Beckett had a chance to answer. Then Julian resettled into his reclined passenger seat, taking the soft blanket Beckett had packed for emergencies and pulling it up to his neck.
The next rut bounced the truck hard, causing Julian to jackknife forward in the seat.
“Sorry. I need to fix this road.”
“We’re already at your place?” Julian asked, confused, rubbing his fists against his closed eyelids. He gave a smaller yawn this time.
Beckett pointed a finger to the main lodge. Julian’s face followed his arm and hand to where his family stood on the wraparound porch, waiting on his and Julian’s arrival. He had texted them all before they ever left LA, begging his mom and dad to do a quick clean at his cabin. He then texted Randy, unceremoniously dumping every bit of his part of the business’s workload in his friend’s lap since Beckett planned to take the next few weeks off to be with Julian.
He did have some guilt, but figured Randy was ready to take the leap into a full partnership since he now had a baby on the way. With Randy being an equal partner, that also meant his old man would be looked after in Beckett’s absence. At least, he hoped it worked out that way. They had a lot to talk about to help make the transition as smooth as possible. He didn’t let his thoughts linger there. It would work itself out.
“Beck.” Julian dropped the visor down to hurriedly check his appearance in the lighted mirror. “I look like hell.”
“Right,” Beckett scoffed as if the most gorgeous man alive could be anything but. “That’s something that would never happen.” His truck hit a significant dip, bouncing Julian until he bumped his head on the roof under the force. “I think one of our first goals should be to get some meat on your bones.”
Julian cast a glaring side eye in his direction while rubbing the top of his head. “I think you’d be better off working on this road.” He dismissed Beckett, back to pushing at the longer pieces of his hair. Of course, Julian’s dark bed head fell easily in place. “Do they know I’m coming?”
“Yeah, I texted ’em,” Beckett answered and lifted his ball cap, scratching his head as he took the last turn. At this moment, after the long night and equally long drive, he was Julian’s exact opposite; Beckett didn’t give a shit how he looked. He was tired as hell and ready to be out of this truck and back to his home. Julian gently pinched his own cheeks then slid his loafers on his feet. Beckett came to a stop maybe twenty-five feet from where his people stood waiting. “Don’t worry. You look good.”