Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry. Are you fucking kidding me?”
Grim’s brows rose because it hadn’t been Josh who asked the question. Nicole had slid out of the booth and was standing in his stepfather’s space. He started to go after her. Josh held him back.
“No, you let her have her moment. She can handle this,” Josh said with a surety he didn’t feel.
“You think that man who spends all of his time helping animals is making them sick?” Nicole asked.
“Shut your mouth, woman,” his stepfather said, his tone harsh.
“No. She doesn’t have to shut her mouth at all,” Christa replied. “You need to leave and don’t come back.” She pointed the feed store owner’s way. “And if you are involved in this nonsense, you can get banned, too.”
Jim Hazelton’s hands came up. “Christa, I was here alone and they cornered me. I don’t believe Grim snuck beetles in my feed. It happens sometimes, and I wasn’t careful enough about checking it when it came in from the vendor. That’s where they got in. There have been some other cases around the state. But they won’t listen to me, and they’re damn intimidating.”
“Not as intimidating as I am,” Christa declared.
“The devil lives in my stepson,” his stepfather went on, his hands going up in the air.
“You say that when women wear tank tops to a gym class,” Nicole pointed out.
“And when we wear leggings.” The oddest supporter stepped up. Alyssa crossed her arms over her chest and stood beside Nicole. “And when we breathe in public. You know it is not my fault that your sad-sack sons can’t control themselves.”
Pastor Mike actually clapped. “Don’t forget that he tried to get the new pizza place shut down because he doesn’t understand we don’t live under Leviticus. You know, Ezekiel, a good slice of pepperoni would change your world.”
“Heretic,” his stepfather hissed.
“We are so sick of you harassing us.” Debbie Vanderburg moved in beside Alyssa. She’d gone to high school out at the resort.
“Yes, maybe it’s time we take this to the city board,” another voice said. “I know I’m sick of my daughter crying because those idiots call her a whore.”
“You aren’t listening to me.” His stepfather seemed to understand this wasn’t going how he’d planned. “Do you even care what’s happening to our town?”
“What’s happening is we have an excellent vet who managed a bad situation without losing a single bred heifer,” Nicole announced. “And he didn’t do it so his business got better. It can’t get better. He doesn’t need the money. He does it because he cares about this town and its citizens.”
“Grim came out at one in the morning because my yorkie ate a chocolate bar,” Shelia James announced.
“It was milk chocolate flavored,” he said. “Not enough cacao to hurt her.”
“But you showed up,” she insisted. “I was scared as hell, and you got out of bed and came to help me. And you brought along Joshua so I had something real nice to look at.”
That sent a laugh through the café.
Josh merely nodded. “I was glad to help.”
“Ladies, I understand that he’s a work of art, but his head is going to get so big it won’t fit through the door,” Nicole said with a smile.
“Well, then his daddy will buy a bigger house,” Alyssa pointed out.
Another huge laugh.
His stepfather had flushed. “Does no one care that the devil is here?”
“I think you see the devil in everyone because he’s inside you,” Nicole said. “He sure isn’t inside Grim. Grim is full of love, and he’s one of the best men I know.”
“Here, here.” Pastor Mike raised his glass. “Best vet in Texas and a good friend to all.”
John put a hand on his father’s arm. “Let’s go, Dad. They’ve all given in. They’re not worth saving.”
“It’s because of his whore,” his stepfather spat.
And then he and Josh were both on their feet.
Nicole stepped in front of them. “Nope. We’re good here. I did recently get an excellent car out of this relationship, so I don’t care what he calls me.”
“That’s because Jack Barnes is addicted to smushing cars,” someone yelled.
Christa was cackling with laughter.
“We’re all whores to you,” Alyssa said, pointing a finger his stepdad’s way. “All we have to do is exist and we’re whores until we’re under the thumb of some man, and you know what, then we’re whores when it’s convenient. I don’t like Nicole. She does not dress well.”
“Hey,” Nicole said.
Alyssa shrugged. “Girl, you showed up in a crew neck men’s shirt, mom jeans, and freaking Crocs. You were unfashionable even for this part of the world, and that is hard to do. I’m offended you dress like that and get called a whore. A whore should at least wear a damn V-neck. And some fuck-me heels.”
“I’ll be sure to get her some,” Josh said with a chuckle.