Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Logan reached around me and opened my door. He took my hand and helped me inside the cab before answering with a brilliant smile. “Crest.”
I racked my brain for his odd nickname, rather than something that matched his last name. Mountain crest came to mind since he was a mountain of a man, but that didn’t seem right either. “I give up. Why Crest?”
He leaned in and nipped my bottom lip with his teeth. “Think about it.”
I puzzled over his answer then noticed his broad smile again. That’s when it hit me. He had great teeth, and he wouldn’t if he didn’t take care of them. “Your teeth?”
“I brush twice a day like clockwork.”
Josh leaned around Max with horror written across his face. “Thanks for putting that idea in her head.”
Logan threw his head back and laughed. It was the first time I’d seen him do it since I’d met him. It transformed his face and made him look younger, more relaxed than the soldier who seemed to always be on guard.
“I’ll follow you,” he chuckled a moment later and slammed my door shut, still smiling as he left.
I watched him jog to his truck, a little bit in love with him already.
“Joy looks good on him,” Josh mumbled in the quiet of the cab.
My attention shot to his, and we smiled at each other.
_______________
Half the town had the same idea as Logan. Pop’s Pizza was full to capacity with football fans and players. Jake and his friends had skipped the aftergame celebration, so Logan didn’t have to worry about round two taking place in front of the rest of the town.
They snagged a booth that barely fit his size and ordered a pizza with the works. Amongst the crowd milling around the entrance, he noticed two sheriff deputies ordering food to go and wondered if Ty had contacted the sheriff about keeping an eye on the town.
Skylar must have noticed where his attention had landed because her body stiffened next to him in the booth. “Do you think they know anything about Duke?”
Logan didn’t want to upset her more than she already had been, but he knew she’d be pissed if he lied to her. On the drive over to the pizza parlor, Logan had called Ty for an update. The news wasn’t good. Duke was still missing, and in this weather he didn’t have long if he were still alive.
“They haven’t found him yet. They’re calling off the search until morning. Ty’s on his way in.”
Skylar held his attention for a moment and her eyes began to glisten, but she held it together, nodding she understood.
Josh hunched his shoulders as a scowl crossed his brow. “Duke knows about survival. If he’s stranded, he’ll be fine. Everyone in Ennis keeps an emergency kit in their vehicle.”
Logan let it go. There was no need to interject his concerns about his vehicle being missing when it shouldn’t be. If foul play was involved, they’d know soon enough. Any man could be overtaken in the right conditions. Even a man like Duke. Someone with bad intentions could sneak up on him when his attention was on fishing and take him out for his truck. Especially a truck—Logan had noted when he’d parked outside the bar—with all the bells and whistles.
“What about Frank?” Skylar asked. “Have they figured out what caused the fire?”
Logan started to answer but a female he’d never met popped over the back of Josh’s bench and answered for him. “Word is the cremator is to blame for the explosion. The fire started in the embalming room then spread until the cremator exploded and put most of it out.”
“That makes sense, but how did the fire start in the first place?” Skylar questioned.
The woman popped down and emerged from behind their booth, then scooted in next to Josh. She looked to be Skylar’s age, with medium brown hair, big green eyes, and dimples that made you think of baseball and apple pie. Another all-American girl.
“I’m Sarah Piechuta.” She stuck out her hand, and he took it, engulfing her tiny hand with his own. “And you’re beyond hot. Bruised eyes and all.”
Logan’s mouth twitched in response.
“This is Logan, you big flirt.” Skylar smirked at her friend. “And he’s mine.”
“Yes, I’ve heard all about it. You always were a lucky duck.”
“Luck’s all mine,” Logan threw out, winking at Skylar.
Skylar rolled her eyes at him, so he grabbed her chin and slammed his mouth over hers for a quick hard kiss. “Keep rolling your eyes at me, I dare you.” It was whispered but Josh gagged in reaction.
“Scoot over, Sarah. Only so much a man can take when his sister’s involved.”
Sarah snorted, but scooted out of the booth so Josh could hang with his friends. Max followed close on his heels, so Logan kept watch for a moment.