Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“It was minor,” Michael promised. “Mostly because they couldn’t take apart the furniture to burn. That was their plan. Apparently Ian taught them how to use whatever’s around to stay warm in case they find themselves out in the woods at night. I saved the sofa, but they did manage to get that wicker basket of yours to burn. Kala said she had to use it because she couldn’t get to the hatchet.”
Charlie turned to her husband. “Why would our daughters know how to use a hatchet?”
He was a nice shade of pale, and his shoulder seemed weirdly out of place. “You told me to teach them some life skills.”
She was going to kill everyone. Charlie turned her focus back to the man on the phone. “So the fire is out now?”
“Mostly, but there’s a problem with a crossbow,” Malone admitted. “Basically, Kenzie thought she should provide meat for the fire her sister started. Uhm, long story short, she shot Boomer. It’s okay. He gets shot a lot. He’s used to it, but I need to know if you have some tarp or something because when I pull this arrow out it’s going to get bloody. Should we do it in the garage? And where does Ian keep the first aid kit? Damn it, Kala. Don’t play with the arrow!”
“Don’t you take that arrow out.” She didn’t even know where the hell the arrow had lodged. It could be holding one of his arteries closed and when they pulled it out—bam, dead Boomer on her floor.
“You tell him I will kill him if this incident scars my baby girl for life,” Ian swore from his place on the floor. “Charlie, baby, my shoulder’s out of socket. Could you help me out?”
This was all his fault. He thought it was fun to teach the girls where the freaking crossbow was. And his shoulder came out of socket all the time. It was an old wound. He sometimes jerked it from the socket just to freak people out. Charlie grabbed one of the unspoiled tarts and shoved it in his mouth. “Happy now? I told you that chair wouldn’t hold us both, and it’s the babysitter who got shot. Boomer might die on our living room floor.” She was back on the phone. “I’m so sorry. We’re on our way right now. Seriously, don’t take that arrow out.”
She glanced around. They weren’t alone. Javier and Jules had walked back in from the backyard and Macon and Ally ran in from the living room. This was not the exhibitionism she’d wanted tonight.
Ian popped up, his arm hanging limp at his side. It didn’t stop him from grabbing another tart with his good hand. “Macon! Buddy, I’m going to need these to go. Date night’s fucked up again. Javi, some help here?”
Javier shook his head and put out an arm, bracing himself. “Has anyone ever told you you’re completely insane?”
Big Tag grinned and used Javier’s straight arm to shove his shoulder back into socket with an audible crack. “Never heard that one before. Use condoms. Like three of ’em.”
“Call 911,” Charlie said into the phone.
“I think I can get the arrow out, Charlotte,” Malone drawled. “Especially if the girls kind of help me hold him down. Now that I think about it, we could tie him down.”
She heard one of the girls squeal in delight. That was so not happening. “911. Right now.”
“How about I call Theo? He and Erin are both pretty decent medics,” Malone argued. “Have you thought about the CPS visit that will inevitably come after we call the cops?”
Holy shit. She was going to lose her babies. Tears blurred her eyes.
“It doesn’t really hurt,” Boomer shouted over the line. “I’m totally stable and everything. Hey, could you pick up some Taco Bell on your way? I’m kind of hungry.”
“There’s some leftovers in the fridge. Where is he hit?” She was well aware she was walking through a play party. She tried to keep her voice down.
“It was just his leg,” Malone said. “No real problem. Not even much blood yet. It went through the meaty part of his calf. And if you’re talking about that chicken, yeah, he already found that and ate it. He also ate all your breakfast cereal and four ham sandwiches.”
“Damn it,” Ian cursed behind her. “Where the hell does he put it?”
Malone continued. “And do you know why the dog keeps whining? I tried to let him out, but he wouldn’t go.”
Boomer had eaten an entire chicken? And a whole lot of cereal, and then he’d moved on to the deli portion of her kitchen? She might have to let that go. She made it back to the master bedroom and grabbed her purse and her clothes. Those would have to go on in the truck because she didn’t have time. “Bud’s terrified of coyotes. There’s probably one in the back somewhere.”