Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 136247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 681(@200wpm)___ 545(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 681(@200wpm)___ 545(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
“I know,” she says, her eyes glittering as she laughs, squeezing me tight. “And I’m glad.”
That meal is actually one of the highlights of our trip.
By the time it’s over, I’m convinced that her ma and Jean-Paul both know Tory’s made her choice permanently, and nothing will ever change her mind.
The next day, Gloria actually softens up and treats me like a human being for the first time as she serves us a big breakfast. Waffles, Portuguese sausage, duck eggs, and fresh squeezed blood orange juice.
Fancier than I’m used to, but the stuff tastes good and it could grow on a dude.
Just like I’m hoping her mother will someday, far in the future.
We leave Chicago a couple days later with the box of my truck full and towing Tory’s pink convertible Volkswagen bug. She’ll have to stick to the main roads in Dallas with that thing, but at least she’ll have wheels again.
My parting invitation for her parents to visit us whenever they can is sincere.
Tory really shined while we were there, and I want them to know that she’s in full control of her new life.
Before I can even blink, the rest of summer blurs by.
By October, I believe Tory’s happy settling into her new life, and I know I am. I’m also ready to make it forever.
The ring is in my pocket, and the rest is in place.
No thanks to Granny again. The old woman has more tricks up her sleeves than any magician. While Tory was busy helping Grace set up the big harvest festival at the Barnet-Sellers pumpkin farm, Granny’s been a busy bee.
She swore everything would be picture perfect when I bring my girl home tonight—hopefully as my fiancée.
I turned down a new position with the FBI, no surprise, but accepted one with the local sheriff’s department, just part time, which gives me plenty of time to keep helping with the goats.
They’ve just retired for the season and are housed back at Dean’s place for the winter. Tory insists on keeping up with it for something to do while Dean shares more of the workload.
She loves those goats, though, especially Hellboy.
I swear, if I’d let her, that goat would be inside the house with us just like Owl.
Part of the harvest festival includes a petting zoo, and of course, that means the goats, which is where I find her.
“How’s it going out here?” I ask, stepping up behind her near sunset.
“So far? Wonderful!” She sets down a big floppy-eared rabbit on the hay and pats a little girl’s head while walking toward me. “The kids adore the animals.” Stepping closer, she whispers, “Edison is the main attraction, as always, but don’t tell Hellboy. He’s pulling a close second.”
I kiss her. “I won’t say a word, Peach. Can’t let anything go to that boy’s head.”
Giggling, she grasps my arm with both hands. “Isn’t this grand? People have been coming all day, picking pumpkins, buying crafts and homemade goodies, having hayrides and walking through the corn maze...I’ve never seen anything like it. I always thought this town just kinda shut down after summer.”
“Nah, wait for winter when we’re waist-deep in snow dunes. Then you’re snowed in and it’s time to get creative.” My heart thuds at the way her eyes sparkle.
Fuck, I’ll never get tired of looking at her.
Better get over my nerves and cough up what I’m here to do.
“Looks like a big hit. The entire town’s been looking forward to this for weeks,” I say.
“I can see why.” She glances around at the crowd. “Granny’s supposed to be here somewhere, but I haven’t seen her.” Lowering her voice to a giggling whisper, she adds, “Probably with Robert Duncan again. The two of them are acting like a couple of sneaky teenagers.”
I chuckle. Ever since their Alaskan cruise, Granny and Robert have become closer friends, though she still calls him an old goat.
“Yeah, I saw them going in the maze a little while ago,” I tell her, scratching my leg. It’s like the ring in my pocket is burning a hole through the material. “So are you about ready to head home and rest?”
“Very ready. I know I’d better pace myself. The last week was crazy enough with getting this set up, but worth it. Grace says it’ll run for at least the next three weeks through Halloween, unless the first freeze takes out the pumpkins.” She points at the petting zoo. “Uncle Dean will be back in the morning to help with feeding. He’s also sold four horseshoe coat racks today and wants to be here bright and early to peddle more.”
I smile. “Maybe he’s finally found his calling.”
“For this week, you mean.” She laughs.
Then, wagging a finger at Ridge, Grace, and a surprisingly content-looking Cornelius the rooster milling around near the hay wagon, she says, “Let’s go say goodbye and get out of here. I’m beat.”