Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You’re in trouble, brother. So much trouble,” Ryder tells me.
I hate that my brothers are right, but there isn’t much I can do about it at this point.
I won’t walk away from this.
From her.
I can’t.
“Today was a good day,” Scarlett says from the passenger seat of my truck. She rode with me to Deacon and Ramsey’s, and now we’re heading back to my place.
“It was. I’m happy for them. Ramsey didn’t always have an easy life. She deserves the happiness that Deacon brings her.”
“Aw, Archer Kincaid, are you a secret romantic?” she teases.
“Nah, just honest.”
“You are that,” she agrees.
“So, what do you want to do the rest of the night?”
“Honestly? Nothing. Can we just do nothing?”
“Yes, but only because you said we.”
She chuckles as she kicks off her sandals and curls her feet under her in the seat. I glance over to make sure her seat belt is still buckled. I ease off the gas just a little and keep my eyes on the road.
“Should we pick up some food?”
“Depends. Do you have food at your place?”
“I have leftovers from last night’s dinner.”
“That cheesy chicken and rice stuff you were talking about?”
“Yeah.”
“That works for me. Wait, do we still have ice cream in the freezer?”
We. “I added more to my grocery order that I picked up Wednesday night.”
“The drumsticks?”
“Your favorite.” I nod, keeping my eyes on the road when all I really want to do is keep them on her.
“You spoil me, Popeye.” Her tone is light and teasing, and I love it.
I’ve never been this relaxed with a woman before. Hell, I’ve never had this much fun with a woman before. Even if we’re just sitting around my house watching movies or talking, it’s more fun than any night out from my past.
I’m aware that if my brothers could hear my thoughts, they’d be razzing me. My mind drifts to my earlier conversation with Brooks. I know I’m going to be torn up when she rides out of town, leaving me in my hometown. I’ve run this over and over in my mind. I need to work. I can’t work while traveling. That’s not who I am. I’m a brick mason. I have a job that I go to every day. Sure, we travel from jobsite to jobsite, but that’s different. I can’t just float from city to city or hell, country to country, hoping to find mason work while we’re there. The life of a free spirit isn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t care for one.
Care. I more than care about her. But just like the thought of her leaving, I’m pushing those feelings deep down somewhere I can pretend to overlook them. I’m not naive enough to think that it’s going to hurt less by ignoring what she means to me, but that’s my plan right now, and I’m sticking to it.
“You should plant some flowers,” she muses as we pull into the driveway.
“I don’t have time to worry about keeping them alive.”
“Maybe even a hanging basket.”
“You do know I’m a man living alone, right?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just how it sounds. Men don’t care about flowers and all that.”
“Some men do.”
I nod. “Okay, you’re right, but this man doesn’t.”
“It would really brighten the place up,” she comments.
Turning off the truck, I turn to look at her. “Do you want to plant flowers or get a hanging basket?” I ask her.
“Oh, there is no point planting for my place , I’ll be gone, but I do have a basket.”
“And what is required to keep whatever is growing in this basket alive?” I ask her.
“You just have to water it every day. You know, show it a little love.”
“And if I kill it? Are you going to be upset with me?”
“Not at all.”
I nod. “All right, let’s go see if we can find a hanging basket.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up.
“Unless you want to wait and go tomorrow?”
She thinks it over for a few seconds. “Tomorrow is better. I really just want to—” She pauses.
“You really just want to what, Scar?” It doesn’t matter what she says. I’m in.
“I just want you to lay with me. Just be with you tonight.” Her voice is small, and my heart gallops in my chest.
“Done.” I reach for my handle and climb out of my truck. I’m almost to her door when it opens. “You’re supposed to wait on me,” I remind her.
She sticks out her tongue. “I get it. You’re a true gentleman, but I can open my own door. Besides, maybe I wanted to open your door for you.” She jumps out of the cab of my truck, landing expertly on her feet, and places her hands on her hips, staring up at me.
“I open the door for you, baby. That’s how this works.”
“Well, we don’t always have to play by your rules, Archer Kincaid.”