Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
We sit in silence, other than shitty music playing. “You’ve got that look in your eye. Now don’t be stupid and go ruinin’ your future over that piece of shit. I wanted to warn ya because your father was my best friend growin’ up. I gotta look after ya the best as I can, and well, I feel like I owe your pa as much. God rest his soul.”
I suck in a deep breath, realizing that everything in my life has completely fallen apart.
“You got a place to stay tonight?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I lie. I’ll sleep in the back seat of my truck just as I did on many nights when Stanley got too drunk and confrontational.
Sheriff Landau slaps a five-dollar bill on the counter and tips his hat at Benny. Then he places a firm grip on my shoulder and pats it.
“Thank you,” I tell him before he turns and walks out the door.
“You gonna be okay, kid?” Benny asks after a few minutes of me swirling the last gulp of my Wild Turkey.
“I always am,” I say, pulling out my wallet to pay for my other drinks.
He holds out his hand and waves me off. “Your money’s no good tonight.”
“Happy New Year,” I say, realizing it’s officially January first.
“You too, Payton. Hopefully, it’ll be a fresh start and your best year yet.”
I give him an amused half grin because anything will be better than living here.
It’s been two weeks since I left home with nothing more than a duffel bag of clothes, two pairs of boots, and my favorite cowboy hat. At twenty-seven, I’m moving away from the only home I’ve ever known. My mom apologized profusely, but her apologies don’t mean shit anymore, not when she hands them out like Halloween candy. I told her I was taking a ranch hand job in Eldorado with over ten thousand acres.
I begged her to come with me, but she gave me the same answer I’ve always gotten—I can’t. While I should be angry that she continues to choose him over me, I’m more disappointed that she doesn’t trust me enough to keep her safe.
Before I left, I told Benny I was moving and thanked him for everything. He was one of the only adults in my life who listened. Without him, I’m not sure I’d have the courage to leave my idea of home behind.
Edna is already engaged to James, but considering she was pregnant with his baby before we broke up, I’m not even surprised. Even though she seemed more than happy to see me go, I had fallen in love with her. Or at least the version of her she wanted me to see. People warned me about dating someone I worked with, and I should’ve listened. Catching her ass up with someone I trusted was a hard way to learn a lesson, and it’s a mistake I won’t be making again.
Between the dramatic break-up and the fight with my stepdad, I experienced an avalanche of emotions in a short amount of time. Some might say I’m running away from my problems, but I need to learn who I am away from my hometown. Eldorado is the beginning of something new.
As I pull up to the bed and breakfast, my nerves get the best of me. It’s a beautiful huge white house with a wraparound porch located on the Circle B Ranch. I might’ve grown up on a ranch, but it was nothing like this.
I look at the text message on my phone from Alex Bishop stating to meet him here at nine sharp. It’s eight forty-five, but it’s forty degrees, and my hands are turning into icicles. So I gather my courage and walk inside.
My stomach growls as soon as I smell fresh eggs and bacon. Clattering plates and chatter lead me to the dining room, where I run into an older clean-cut man with a gentle smile. Laughter wrinkles appear when he grins.
“Howdy. How can I help you?”
“Hey, I’m lookin’ for Alex Bishop.”
“You must be Payton. I’m John, his brother. I run this part of the ranch. I’m sure he’ll be here any minute to give you the grand tour of the place. Welcome aboard.” He holds out his hand and gives me a firm handshake.
When I turn around, I’m greeted by a man who looks exactly like him.
“Twins,” I mutter with a smirk.
“Jackson,” he states with a grip that could crush concrete. “I’m the good-lookin’ one. Nice to meet ya.”
“The dumb one.” John snorts.
“I’m Payton,” I tell him.
“Payton!” I hear a deep voice say my name. A blond man walks up, and it’s obvious by their facial features they’re all related. “Glad you made it.” He checks his watch. “Punctual. I like that.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You hungry?” Alex asks but doesn’t even give me a chance to answer before walking toward the food. “Let’s eat and chat, then I’ll show you ’round.”