Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Thanks to the Rainbow Vigilante, I think things are finally looking up.”
Killing two birds with one stone feels good.
More business for Addison and an article in the paper to show Sheriff Bell is actively hunting for the perp so Dad doesn’t think I’m a disgrace to the Bell name.
Now if only I could figure out what to do with Dante Kincaid…
Dante
“Eleven rooms,” I tell Rhett over the phone. “And, even though it’s a B&B, we’re hoping to host some events there too. It’d be a great location for a wedding or even a small family reunion.”
“Are the three of you going to stay there long-term?”
“Shelly will live on site because she’ll be doing all the day-to-day duties. I’ll handle the marketing and financial side, which won’t require me and Callan to stay there. Plus, I love my sister, but we’ve only been here for a few weeks and I’m already eager to find my own place.”
The last thing I want to do is bring a guy back home with me so my sister can razz us the next morning. When I hook up with someone, I’m pretty clear about my intentions up front. A night or two—or three if they’re a really good lay—and then I’m done. Shelly would make the entire thing awkward by chatting their damn ear off and getting to know them in a way I don’t care to.
“I wish I had a room for you,” Rhett says, interrupting my thoughts, “but I’ve hit a snag.”
“With the construction?”
“With the city planner,” he grumbles. “He’s being a dick about zoning and environmental codes that need meeting before I can continue.”
“You’re from New York. Hopping over hurdles is kind of your thing.”
“The codes in question are a little more ironclad in Brigs Ferry Bay.” He sighs heavily. “I’m going to have to get an attorney involved, I think. Regardless, a late spring grand opening isn’t going to happen.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Make the people in this town take the frozen sticks out of their asses. My building will be more environmentally safe than probably ninety percent of the ones already in existence. It’s all just a power play by the city to discourage us new builders.”
“These fuckers around here are less than accommodating to newbies, that’s for damn sure.”
We continue to chat until Leo, the owner of Blue Shark Auto Repair, waves me over. I end the call with Rhett and head over to the hot mechanic.
“What’s the damage?” I ask, pulling out my wallet.
He scratches at his scruffy beard, smearing oil in the process. “We popped the dent out and buffed it out. Good as new. It’ll be four.”
Four grand feels high, even for a Range Rover, but it needs doing. I start fishing out hundreds. His eyes widen and his cheeks burn bright red when I push the wad of hundreds his way.
“That’s twenty-two. I’ll have to use my card for the rest,” I say with a sigh. “You do take cards, right?”
He blinks rapidly before taking four hundreds off the top and pushes the rest toward me. “Hell, Mr. Kincaid. We didn’t repaint the whole damn car. Four hundred is all.”
“Four hundred?” I ask, disbelief in my tone. “That’s it?”
“You’re not in New York anymore.” He chuckles and sets my keys on the counter. “If you bring her in for an oil change, I’ll knock ten percent off for a returning customer.”
So maybe not everyone in this town is an asshole.
“I appreciate you, Leo. You’re a good man.” I’m tucking my money back into my wallet when the door chimes with a new customer.
“Mayor Bell,” Leo greets. “Time for Patricia’s oil change already?”
Turning, I take in the mayor of this town. Also known as Sheriff Jaxson Bell’s father. As soon as I lay eyes on the rugged man, I know they’re cut from the same cloth. The only difference between the two men is that Mayor Bell’s hair is graying and his face is lined a bit more than Jax’s. Regardless, he’s a handsome older man.
“No,” Mayor Bell says. “Just stopping in to see if you had anyone wanting to buy Zak’s car yet.”
Leo shakes his head. “No bites yet, but I have it on my Facebook page listed.”
Mayor Bell nods before scanning his gaze over me. “You’re new around here. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Dean Bell.”
I offer my hand, flashing him my polite, business smile. “Dante Kincaid. I bought the Howe property and am building the B&B there.”
His features harden, but his fake smile remains affixed. “Glad to have you here. We’re always eager to welcome new folks here, especially new commerce.”
Liar.
“Happy to hear it, Mayor Bell.”
“Please. Call me Dean. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll do what I can to assist your transition into the wonderful Brigs Ferry Bay.”
Okay, buddy, you offered.