Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Woofer drags his food dish to me, reminding me it’s time to feed him. With a tiny stomach, my little dog needs to be fed more often than most.
I settle him with his food then sit at the wooden desk, determined to shake off my sad thoughts. There’s a love scene to be written between the hero and the heroine. I mind as well get it done while I wait for my friends to start arriving.
Or at least, I try to settle at the desk. I bump it with one of my thick hips and the uncapped water bottle falls over, landing on my open laptop. As if in slow motion, water begins to spill deep into my keyboard. The document I had up shakes before the screen goes black.
Profanity isn’t usually my first choice. Nana always said it sounded crass and uneducated, but a few four-letter words definitely slip from my lips. My files are constantly backed up to the cloud so it’s not like I lost anything major.
The problem is I’d planned to actually write on my retreat. I quickly dry the laptop the best I can and turn it over in the hopes that more water will drain from it. Then I grab my phone and start researching nearby computer shops. There’s one in town. It’s open now and maybe he can help.
“Can you guard the place while I’m gone?” I call out to Woofer.
He’s in a food coma in front of the fireplace and doesn’t even open his good eye. Instead, he makes a little noise of contentment which I take as a yes.
I’m in luck with Wally at the computer shop. He’s an older man who appears to chain smoke if the smell of the shop is any indication. He isn’t busy today and promises me he’ll take a look at the laptop right away. He waves me away and encourages me to explore the area while I wait.
It’s not easy to do. I feel like I’m leaving my baby behind in the arms of a stranger. But I’m not going to complain when I managed to land same-day service in a tourist town.
There’s a small bakery across from the computer shop. The place is named Patty’s Cakes which makes me smile. The moment I step inside, I take a deep breath of the sweet air. It smells like pastries and carbs in here. It’s the type of place that my sister would insist you gain weight if you so much as sniff the air.
Patty, the owner of the small bakery, gives me a smile. She can’t be older than thirty with short blonde hair and a friendly demeanor. “What can I get you?”
I eye the glass cases full of tempting treats as the bell above the door rings. I don’t check over my shoulder. There are too many yummy options for me to be paying attention to the other customers.
From blueberry scones to chocolate chip cookies and even red velvet cupcakes, it’s hard to choose just one. I glance at the bakery owner. “What do you recommend for the perpetually single?”
“How about a date?” A deep, masculine voice asks. I instantly recognize the sheriff’s voice even though I’ve only heard it a few times. My core clenches at the rich baritone. How is it this man keeps meeting me in the middle of these embarrassing moments today?
“Hey there, Sheriff Brock! Can I get you the usual?” Patty calls. At least I know his name now. Brock. It’s strong and somehow fitting for a man who looks like he was chiseled out of stone. I can’t imagine what his usual here must look like. It would have to be one tenth of a scone to have a body like his if the way that uniform fits is any indication.
He nods to Patty before turning his attention to me. Why is he looking at me when she’s so pretty? Doesn’t he realize that he could probably snap his fingers and have her? Heck, I’d bet he could have any woman in this town. He has those movie star good looks and that “aww, shucks ma’am” attitude down perfectly. Maybe it’s all an act. The way it was when Colin pursued me.
I turn and give Brock a chuckle. He’s teasing me but I can take it. I’ll be good-natured about it too. “My schedule is pretty full this week.”
His blue gaze twinkles and his lip twitches. “Aww, you’re breaking my heart, sweet cheeks.”
My face flames at the nickname. He’s definitely teasing me now. “You don’t have to call me that.”
“Go on a date with me today.” He reaches for one of my curls that came loose from my ponytail and twirls it around his finger. “One date.”
He’s standing so close that I feel the heat coming from his body. There are a million reasons I should tell him no. Guys like him don’t normally go for women like me.