Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
But we do have Reaper’s permission, if we want to …
Sighing inwardly to shut down the two parts of her mind going back and forth on whether to fuck Rory out of her system or not, she made herself a coffee and a slice of toast. She was about to carry them upstairs when her phone rang. Expecting it to be Viper, she was surprised that it was Rachel calling.
“Hello,” Jewell answered.
“Hey, Jewell. This is Rachel.”
Jewell went to the fridge for creamer as she talked. “What’s up?”
“I have a favor to ask—”
“No.”
“Please … it should only take thirty minutes. An hour, tops.”
“Then let me rephrase … Hell no.”
Jewell could hear a loud sigh from Rachel. “Okay, I totally understand. I’ll just tell the kids I won’t be able to go along with them.”
“If you’re trying to tug on my heartstrings, I don’t have any.”
“All right, then. I’ll talk to you later.”
Jewell caved at the sad tone in Rachel’s voice.
“Not saying I will do it … but what were you going to ask?”
Jewell knew she had fucked up when Rachel’s voice brightened.
“Ema wants me to go sledding with her, but I need someone to watch Gabe, and I just took Mag’s blood pressure, and it’s low. I called Dr. Price, and he’s going to stop by in an hour. Usually, Jo or Evie will sit with her when I leave, but they want to go—”
“Sledding.”
“I’ll only go with them long enough for them to go down the hill a couple times, and then I’ll come right back. I promised everyone hot chocolate, so I wasn’t going to be gone long, anyway.”
“Is Mag asleep or awake?”
“She’s sleeping. Why?”
Jewell didn’t bother to tell the truth. If the old hag was awake, the answer would have been different.
“Then I’ll be there in a few.”
“Thank you. I love you so much! You’re the best!”
“Yeah, yeah. Bye.” Jewell hung up on Rachel’s effusive thanks.
Moving to the cabinet, Jewell took out a plastic travel cup she could pour her coffee into. Eating her dry toast, she transferred the coffee, aware that Rory was watching every movement she made.
“Going somewhere?”
“To hell.”
“Can I come?”
She started to tell him no when an evil imp inside of her asked, What if Mag wakes up?
“Sure. Why not?”
Sensing a trap, Rory seemed to be rethinking going. “Will any sledding be involved?”
“No.”
“Will any of my other body parts be in danger?” he quipped.
“None which will affect your job performance.”
In good humor, Rory rose to his feet. “Then lead on, Mistress.”
A tingle of electricity shot up her spine. Grasping her coffee cup tightly to keep from dropping it, she said, “I’ll meet you at your car. I need to grab my jacket and change my shoes.”
“Sounds good. I need to get mine, too.”
Not wanting to keep Rachel waiting, Jewell ran upstairs to get what she needed.
Rory beat her to the SUV and had the motor already running.
“How’d you beat me?” she asked, wishing she had grabbed her gloves as she got inside, shivering.
“I’m used to get getting in and out quickly.”
“That’s nothing to brag about.”
“Depends who I’m wanting to impress. With you, I’d take my time.”
Jewell gave him a look that said she didn’t believe anything he was saying.
The sexual banter between them had her trying to remember when she had last had sex. At least a couple of weeks; with all the nights she had been working at the factory and all the Christmas shopping consuming of most of her free time, she surmised as she gave him directions to Cash and Rachel’s house.
The turn-off to the house was filled with motorcycles and cars. Several of the members waved at them as Rory passed and they trekked up the hill with their sleds.
She directed Rory to park next to a truck that sat next to the log cabin, and they got out of the SUV. As they went up the small flight of steps to the porch, a long-legged man walked out with his son.
“Hi, Dustin, Logan.”
“Hi,” Logan, now a teenager at thirteen, answered back shyly.
“Hi, Jewell. Rachel said you were coming to watch Mag. I appreciate you helping out.”
“Rory, this is Dustin Porter and his son, Logan,” Jewell made the quick introduction. “Dustin, this is Rory, a friend visiting for the holidays.”
Dustin held out his hand. “Nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
Rory shook his hand. “Already dreading leaving.”
Dustin gave Rory a male smile of understanding. “Treepoint or Jewell growing on you?”
“Both.” Rory grinned back.
Jewell rolled her eyes at the men. “I better get inside.” Moving around them, Jewell knocked on the door. Rachel answered her immediately, her coat already on.
“Thank God you’re here. Cash was going to come back with the kids. I can call him back and tell him I’m coming with Dustin.”
Jewell stepped inside the house as Rachel called her husband. When she was finished, she pulled on her coat.