Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“I can get that,” Amy said, reaching for it.
“Nonsense,” her dad said, keeping the receipt out of her reach. “My treat.”
He pulled out a wad of bills which made me think he had a good win at the casinos.
I moved so Amy could free herself of the booth and when I did, Noah moved so fast to stand and step between Amy and me that I had no time to react. Neither did Amy when he grabbed her in a hug and kissed her cheek.
“Believe it or not, sweet stuff, I’ve missed you.” After another quick hug, he stepped behind her, leaving her room to join me. “Let me know when you and Beau are free to visit the bookstore.”
Amy nodded and seeing her eyes tearing up, I hurried her out the door and to her car.
“He always called me sweet stuff. Hearing him say it was like having all the years come tumbling back and it made me realize how much I’ve missed and love my dad.”
I didn’t want to burst her bubble, but I knew, I could just tell, Noah Berwick was going to hurt his daughter again.
“Take it slow, Amy,” I cautioned. “He’s no different now than when he left you all those years ago.”
“I want to think he’s changed, but I know better. Still, the few good memories I have sneak up to torment me and make me wonder, what if…” Amy shook her head. “Text me Betty Carson’s number. I need to get my mind on something entirely different.”
I quickly scanned the notes on my phone, found it, and texted it to her.
“I’ve got to go,” Amy said and hugged me. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you and your big loving family.”
“Likewise, and it’s your family as well,” I reminded. “If my brothers only knew how often you saved them from painful retaliation for the mean things they did to me.” I was happy to see Amy laugh.
“You gave as good as you got, and I enjoyed helping you each time.”
“I knew it. I knew you helped her.”
We both turned at the sound of my brother Danny’s chuckling voice.
“I told Thomas and Josh to watch out for you, but they both told me you were too sweet to be in cahoots with Pepper. Finally, I’m proven right.” He grinned as if he had just won a prize.
I returned his grin. “Too bad there’s no one around to have heard it.
Danny looked around quickly and there wasn’t anyone close enough to have heard anything. “I’ll tell Josh and Thomas what I heard.”
I laughed. “They didn’t believe you then and they won’t believe you now.”
Danny turned pleading eyes on Amy.
“I’ve gotta go,” Amy said, before he could beg her for help.
“You didn’t actually think she’d betray me, did you?” I grinned again, a generous grin. “Besides, you were the one brother who tormented me the least, thus my favorite.”
“You’ve redeemed yourself,” Danny conceded.
It never hurt to suck up to your oldest brother.
“What are you doing in town this time of day?” I asked.
“Actually, looking for you and if you checked your cell you’d see that.”
I looked to my truck.
“What kind of prepper forgets her phone?” he asked, shaking his head.
“A busy one,” I said. “So how did you track me down?” My eyes went wide putting it all together before he could respond. “Ian. You called Ian.”
“Since you two are inseparable, I figured he’d know where I could find you.”
“Does he look attached to my hip?” I asked.
“Don’t want to admit how much time you spend with him since then you’d have to admit you enjoy spending time with him, which would mean you love him, which then would mean… marriage.”
Twice in two days now that marriage and Ian were mentioned together. Way too fast!
I was not going to argue the point with him since Danny was like a dog with a bone when he believed himself right about something, refusing to let go.
I changed the subject. “Why did you come looking for me, Danny?”
“You know how we talked about expanding the garden center into growing more of our own flowers, bushes, and such?”
My eyes went wide. “Don’t tell me that swath of land that runs between the garden center and lodge property is for sale?”
“I asked Burke to let me know if it ever went up for sale. He called me to tell me that the real estate section of Strathmore Builders just took the listing.”
“That land would be great for planting, and it would connect the garden center with my property, leaving no one to build between the two.”
“You already have a large stake in the business, but I can’t afford it on my own, so I figured we should discuss it and if you agree and want to invest more in the business, then we shouldn’t waste any time in putting in a bid,” Danny said. “Though I understand perfectly if you don’t want to invest anymore. You have helped me more than enough already.”