Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
He, apparently, didn’t feel the same, because he quickly looked away. I tried to ignore the way it made my heart fall like lead straight to my stomach.
I forced myself to smile and looked at Hunter. He and Arabella were locked in a stare before Arabella cleared her throat and turned to Kyle. “What brings you three here?”
Kyle spoke with a smile. “I just wanted to remind you both to dress in layers tomorrow.”
Arabella’s grip on me tightened, and we both nodded.
Kyle smiled, and I couldn’t help but notice the little gleam in his eyes.
“So you’re both going hiking with Kyle tomorrow? Are you sure you want to do that?” Hunter asked, looking at me, then Arabella.
“Yep,” we both said in unison.
I stole a quick glance at Bishop. He was staring at me, and I wasn’t sure how to read his expression.
“Why don’t you wait until spring?” Bishop asked.
I drew my head back. “Why wait until spring?”
“It would be safer, for one thing,” Hunter answered, a touch of frustration in his voice.
Kyle rolled his eyes.
With a smile as big and bright as I could muster, I said, “I’m not the least bit worried. Kyle wouldn’t let anything happen to us.”
“And isn’t that part of his job?” Arabella asked in a sarcastic voice, which wasn’t normal for her. “I mean, if he goes in and finds lost hikers, I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine.”
Everyone turned and looked at her. I mouthed the word bravo and winked.
Kyle took a small bow. “Thank you, Arabella. That was exactly what I told these two idiots when they insisted it was a bad idea.”
I snapped my head over to look at Hunter and Bishop. Before I could even utter a word, Arabella said, “Well, thank you for your concern, gentlemen, but seeing as our welfare and safety is none of your responsibility, I don’t think we need your opinion on the matter.”
I was positive my mouth wasn’t the only one hanging open in shock as all eyes went to Arabella.
Kyle let out a roar of laughter. He walked up to Bella and cupped her face with his hands. “I always knew there was feisty spirit in there somewhere.”
He went to kiss her on the forehead, but Hunter grabbed him and pulled him away. He stepped closer to Arabella. “Bella, when was the last time you even went hiking?”
She shrugged.
“Exactly. Sweetheart, I just don’t think this is a good idea.”
Something moved across Arabella’s face, and she let go of my arm. Lifting her chin, she stood as tall as she could. “I’m not your sweetheart. You must have confused me with Brighton there for a moment, Hunter.”
Hunter’s head jerked back as if Arabella had slapped him across the face.
She turned on her heels and headed back into her place, calling over her shoulder, “See you tomorrow morning, Abby and Kyle.”
I stared at her, then looked back at Hunter. “What did she mean by that?”
Hunter’s eyes were locked on Arabella as she retreated.
Kyle cleared his throat. “Um, Hunter and Brighton kind of hooked up a few times last year.”
My eyes went wide. “Brighton Rogers? The lawyer? Doesn’t she live in Boston?”
Kyle leaned in closer to me and whispered, “It’s a long story, Abs. I’ll fill you in tomorrow.”
I was slightly taken aback by Kyle calling me Abs. Only Bishop, Greer, and Arabella had ever called me that.
Bishop shot him a displeased look and then hit Hunter on the arm. “Come on, let’s go.” Before he turned, he gave me one more expressionless glance.
Kyle watched the two of them walk into the softly falling snow.
I shook my head to clear it. “What was that all about?”
Kyle chuckled. “They both freaked the fuck out when they found out you two wanted to go hiking. I might have egged them on a bit, I’ll admit it. It’s fun watching them both get so damn worked up.”
“Why do they care?” I asked.
Kyle’s face turned serious, and he regarded me for a moment. Then, without answering my question, he flashed me that brilliant smile of his and winked. “See you in the morning, Abby.”
Bishop
“Is there a reason you’re chopping that wood like it took your last dime?”
I raised the ax and slammed it onto the piece of firewood. When the pieces fell to the ground, I reached for another one and ignored Hunter.
“Okay, so you don’t want to talk. I get it. You keep chopping wood, and I’ll talk.”
“Don’t you have a job, Hunter? You know—” I turned and looked at him—“protecting the city and shit.”
Jack came running up to Hunter and dropped his ball. Hunter picked it up and threw it again. It landed in a snow drift. I watched as Jack ran and dove into the snow.
“Jesus Christ, your dog is just as crazy as you are.”
He laughed. “I’m on a lunch break. Have you heard from Kyle?”