Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
She’s had a love for flowers for as long as I have known her, especially the wild ones that you can find in any field around here, but the dream of owning a shop came when Ryland decided to open the garage with the intent of eventually handing it over to me. Ellie decided then and there that she would open the first flower shop in Passion Falls and have it on Main Street too. That way, no matter where we lived later in life, we would always be close.
I was completely on board with that plan, and even though I was only thirteen at the time and Ellie was twelve, I was determined to make that dream become a reality. I saved every cent I made from that moment on, something that she never needed thanks to the money Paw left. An amount that took both Ellie and me by surprise.
My thoughts trail off as I come upon Dale Buford, the owner of Old Tyme Candy store, already out and about sweeping the sidewalk in front of the store.
He looks up at the sound of my truck and sends a friendly wave. “Mornin’, Gunnar and Bear,” he calls out.
Bear barks his greeting out the open window while I slow the truck and lean over the console. “How’re you doing, Mr. Buford?”
“Oh, I can’t complain. The weather is beautiful, peak season is upon us, and I get to work with my beautiful wife every day. Life doesn’t get better than that.”
Considering how much I enjoy spending time with Ellie, I can see why the man doesn’t want for much.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, I bid him a good day and continue down the road until I’m pulling up to the garage.
Ryland’s truck is already in the lot, despite the fact we don’t open for another two hours. Some days I wonder why he bothers to leave at all. I swear, he’s here more than I am, and I live here.
Not that I mind. He might have built this place for me, but I will always see it as ours. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have ever found my passion under a hood. Just one more thing I have to thank him for.
Bear barks impatiently as I shut off the truck and climb out. “Easy boy, I’m comin’.” Before I can make it over to his side, he leaps out the open window and races toward the side door, his tail wagging eagerly as he waits to be let in.
“Jesus. You act like you haven’t eaten in days.”
Woof.
Chuckling, I open the door and allow him to enter first.
He gives Ryland a quick greeting and then runs to his food dish that has already been filled.
“Figured he’d be hungry when I didn’t see your truck this morning,” Ryland explains with a smirk.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
He nods at my gratitude and then gestures to the front counter. “Some mail there for you.”
I haven’t lived with him for six years and yet I still manage to get mail there.
Walking over, I pick up the stack of envelopes and sift through them, sensing Ryland’s gaze on me the entire time.
“Late night or early morning?” he asks.
“Late night,” I answer, keeping my attention on the mail in my hands.
“Anyone I know?”
He knows damn well who because he knows I would never sleep anywhere else. I don’t even fuck women who live around here. Again, too personal, and if I’m being honest, I never liked the thought of Ellie running into anyone I’ve been with.
It has me realizing just how blind I’ve been when it comes to my feelings for her.
“I spent the night at Ellie’s,” I finally tell him. Might as well, it’s not like it will be a secret for long, not when she’s going to be walking around town pregnant with my child.
The image that thought conjures up sends a surge of heat through my blood.
“I guess that means you gave some thought to our conversation the other day?”
“Yeah, I did, and I’ve decided to be the one to give Ellie a baby.” I don’t bother explaining that I refuse to be a donor since he has probably already figured that out. He knows me well enough.
A hint of a smile passes over his face. “Sounds like a reasonable solution.”
“Yeah, if I don’t fuck it up,” I add on a dry laugh, unable to hide the lingering fear.
His head tilts in question. “Why would you be the one to mess it up?”
I shrug since I don’t have an answer. I just know if anything happens, it sure as hell won’t be Ellie’s fault.
My silence brings him forward. He takes hold of my shoulders in a firm grip, leveling me with his steadfast gaze. “Look, I know you haven’t always had it easy, especially before I came along.”