Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 132512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Ned huffed, and squeezed the dripping bandana in his hand. “You don’t want it, and you’re leaving, so what’s it matter, huh? Come here and let me wrap your hand!”
“You tricked me. Again,” Cole said, stepping into the late afternoon chill. The grass outside was cool on his feet, but he didn’t want to see Ned’s face, or hear him. Or even smell him.
He should have never showed him the bark. He should have never stayed so long.
It had all been a mistake.
But Ned followed him with dangerously dark eyes. “You said I could keep it, so it was mine to do with as I pleased! But if the initials are so important, you’re free to go and find yourself a Nathan, a Noah, or even a goddamn Nicholas, so he fits them.”
“Shut your damn face, O’Leary!” Cole snapped, hugging the bark to his chest. “You’re a liar! I wanted to entrust you with this… but you don’t deserve it. You’re a cheat like everyone else!”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Ned snarled and squared his shoulders. “I made my peace with being a no good man! Then you barge into my life with your sweet kisses and compliments only to leave because you’ve got ‘places to be’. What places, huh?”
“You were the one to beg me to stay with you. You!” Cole said, hurrying back to the house in a roundabout way that would not put him at risk of brushing against Ned by accident. “But fine. I’ll be out of your hair now. Thank you for showing me I’ve made the right decision!”
“Wrap your fucking hand!” Ned yelled and threw the wet bandana at him so it slapped Cole in the back of the head. Cole spun around and wanted to hurl it right back, but when he realized it was the plaid piece of fabric Ned had given him before that last, disastrous job, he squeezed it dry instead and rushed into the house. He was about to go straight for his saddlebags when he spotted the flames eating up his expensive boot, which he must have left too close to the fire.
He put it out with a dense blanket, but the beautiful brown leather he’d oiled so often was ruined. Outside, Ned screamed in his mindless fury, and a part of Cole was grateful to him for showing his true colors. He’d be able to close the O’Leary chapter of his life once and for all.
Dog ran out to join his crazed master, so at least nothing would be whining and bothering Cole as he packed. He was still smart enough to leave first thing tomorrow instead of in the middle of the night, but Ned had another thing coming if he thought they’d be sharing a bed one last time. He packed his clothes, his trinkets, and even donned the burned boot, frantic in his need to get away. He might spend the night in the stable and venture out before first light. That way, he’d never have to see Ned’s face again.
Behind him, the bastard kept pacing with no purpose, but Cole ignored him and grabbed the photo Ned had displayed on the mantelpiece, immediately stuffing it into the inner pocket of his coat.
“That’s mine!” Ned growled, dashing into the cabin with bared teeth.
“Not anymore it isn’t. Won’t leave it for you to burn,” Cole roared, more determined with every breath he took. No. He would not stay in the stable. He would leave. It was warm enough to sleep out there, and that was what he would do. His feet would never again cross the threshold of this godforsaken house.
Ned slammed the door shut and pulled on the latch. “Give it back!”
Cole dropped his saddlebag and faced him, squeezing his hands into fists. “No. You don’t deserve to have it!”
Ned didn’t wait for a punch and charged at Cole with a furious roar. “I’ll have it, and I’ll burn it if I want to!”
“Over my dead body,” Cole growled, ducking to smash his fist into Ned’s gut, but Ned grabbed his head with one arm, and they rolled onto the floor, furiously grabbing at one another in the effort to gain the upper hand.
Dog jumped around them as if he didn’t know who to help, but he still barked in warning. With Cole’s luck, it would be Dog that bit into his throat and ended him.
When he managed to grab a squirming Ned and slam his face into the wolf fur covering the floor by the fireplace, Dog growled, backing off a little.
But instead of fighting, Ned stilled. “Did you hear that?” he mumbled, staring toward the door as if he were about to come up with more of his ridiculous ghost stories.
“Hear what?” Cole asked, even though a voice at the back of his mind whispered it was a ploy that would allow Ned to turn the tables and, in a fit of jealousy, push Cole head-first into the fire, so he’d be burned beyond recognition and never have anyone desire him again.