Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“That must explain why you’re so warm on the outside and gooey on the inside.”
I wish I could place my fingers at the bottom of her chin and kiss the fire out of her. Our eyes stay locked as she licks her bottom lip. For a few seconds, everything around us disappears, and I watch her eyes flutter closed. Before I can lean in to kiss her, Oakley walks over with a six-pack of hard cider.
“Wanted to give this to you since it’s your favorite,” she explains.
I grab it, and when Fallon looks at which flavor it is, Oakley mouths, “Sorry,” realizing she interrupted a moment. I give a slight shake of my head, then check the time, knowing we need to get going.
As we stand to say our goodbyes, I congratulate my friends again on their engagement, then drive us home.
“I like them a lot,” Fallon admits, and it makes my heart happy to hear that. I can almost imagine her staying here forever. Even if it’s wishful thinking, the thought makes me smile.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
FALLON
DAY 10
I type away on my laptop and sip my coffee between my thoughts.
Yesterday, while Levi was at work, I drove into town and met the mayor. He took it upon himself to give me a personal tour of the town, picking up right where Levi left off.
To be honest, it was hard to take him seriously when he was dressed like Santa Claus. He was in good spirits and sang ho, ho, ho to each child that walked past. I tried to smile when I was supposed to, knowing how much my mother would’ve loved this place.
It’s amazing to see so many welcoming of his presence. If the previous mayor of Seattle walked into my office at work, I’d have some choice words. This community really does act like a big family, even when Levi isn’t around.
I can't count how many times people have asked about me staying at Levi’s. News really does spread fast in small towns.
As I continue typing, I’ll randomly glance at all the notes I took on my phone. Even though that was yesterday, my brain is still full and overwhelmed. My fingers fly across the keyboard, the sentences pouring out of me like water. I’m trying my best to stay professional and keep my personal bias out of my prose. However, it’s hard at times.
Before I start my next paragraph, there’s a knock on the door. Dasher lifts his head but doesn’t get up. Levi was going to take him with him today, but I actually asked if he could stay with me. He was shocked at first, but I didn’t want to be alone.
I see an old work truck outside and open the door.
“Hey, I’m Jasper. Here to fix the furnace.”
“Yeah, Levi told me you were stopping by.” Stepping aside, I allow him to walk in. He’s carrying a toolbox in one hand and a clipboard in the other, reminding me of my dad.
“Do you know where you need to go?” I ask.
“Yes, I do. Thanks,” he says and makes his way to the utility closet.
I return to the couch and get settled, rereading what I wrote before I stopped. Dasher repositions himself and plops back down. I add a few more words but then get distracted by an incoming email. It’s my travel itinerary for my January assignment.
I’ll be writing an article about small coffee roasters in Washington, which I’m actually looking forward to. Can’t wait to drink my weight in dark roasts.
When I see I’m staying at a well-known hotel chain, I let out a sigh of relief. Not sure I could survive this rental mix-up again, even if it ended up working out.
After an hour, Jasper returns and tells me it’s finally fixed. He adjusts the thermostat, and the heat immediately kicks on. I scrunch my nose when the smell of burning oil surfaces.
“That’s normal since it hasn’t run in a while. It’ll go away,” he reassures me.
“Thank you so much,” I say as I follow him to the door.
“Tell Levi I’ll bill him,” he says, then waves.
“Sure will.”
When he’s gone, Dasher rushes past me before I can close the door. Quickly, he goes outside, does his business, and then returns.
I look at him with my jaw on the floor. “Seriously?”
I swear, I can’t figure this dog out.
After I lock the deadbolt, I feed Dasher a few treats, and then make myself some soup. As I sit down to eat, I hear my phone buzzing in the living room and rush to grab it.
“Sis!” Taryn says, laughing. “I sent the picture of that guy you’re staying with to my mom-friends group chat, and they want more.”
“How did you get a picture of him?”
“I looked up the Christmas tree farm on Instagram and sleuthed around until I saw his name. Levi White. I’d let him play lumberjack and climb me like a tree.”