Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“I don’t want to be alone tonight,” she whispered. “Everything is too close. When I shut my eyes…” She trailed off.
“Okay,” I agreed easily. “I got you.”
She snuggled into my side, her head on my chest. “I like it here. I feel safe.”
“You are. Go to sleep. I’ll keep the ghosts away, okay?”
“We’ll protect each other.”
I passed my hand over her head. “Okay, baby. Sounds good.”
Nothing could bring me down on Monday. Not the customer who bitched about his bill. Not the fact that some parts we needed were on back order. Not even the news that the shingles I wanted were only available in a dark gray, not the light gray I wanted. I didn’t care.
“I don’t spend much time staring at my roof,” I said to the salesman on the phone.
“I can offer you a five percent rebate.”
“Sure. Order them.”
I hung up, and Charly cleared her throat from the doorway before sauntering in and sitting down. I kept my eyes on the pile of paperwork in front of me. “Yeah, Charly? What’s up?”
“That’s what I am wondering,” she said, tapping the pile of paperwork. “I’m over here, Chase.”
I sat back, meeting her gaze. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She leaned close. “Horsefeathers. When I saw you last, you were moping around, all worked up about Hannah seeing someone. Regretting buying your house.”
“Your point?”
“Today, you’re Mr. Sunshine. Solving problems, dealing with assholes with a smile. Accepting a five percent discount. You should have held out for ten.”
I burst out laughing. “I don’t care about the color of the roof, Charly. Whether it’s light gray or dark gray. And I don’t need the money, so why make the guy’s life miserable? He probably dreaded making the call, and five percent is fine. As for the assholes and problems, it’s part of my job. I’m only doing what you pay me for.”
She crossed her arms and legs, one foot swinging in agitation. “How’s Hannah?”
“Not dating anyone else.”
Her eyes widened, her irritation with me forgotten. She grabbed my arm. “You talked to her?”
I bent over and kissed her cheek. “Yes, Mama Charly. I took your advice, and I talked to her. She and I spent all day yesterday talking. Sharing our stories. She knew about me being in jail. I gave her all the facts. She told me why she has nightmares.” I huffed out a long breath. “That was hard to hear.”
She rubbed my shoulder. “But you listened?”
“Yes. And I admitted my feelings to her. She told me she felt the same way. So, we’re working on that.”
Charly smiled, big and bright. “Oh, Chase. That’s awesome.”
“We’re going slowly. Neither of us wants to mess it up. It’s too important.”
“But you cleared the air.”
“Yes. The guy she was talking about to her mom is someone at the station. The someone else she mentioned was me.”
“I knew I liked her.”
I chuckled. “She is pretty awesome.”
“I’m so glad, Chase.”
“Thanks for the advice, Charly. It didn’t happen as organically as you suggested, but I did tell her the truth.”
“I am pretty smart.”
I kissed her cheek. “Yeah, you are. Maxx is a lucky man.”
“He is,” she agreed drolly. She stood, smoothing down her loose shirt. I noticed her outfit was normal. Jeans, sneakers, and an oversized shirt tied at the waist. Probably Maxx’s.
I had to chuckle. “Giving him a break today, are you? No tank tops, shorts, or overalls?”
She grinned. “He’s getting older. I need to throw him a bone on occasion.”
She paused at the door. “Why don’t you bring Hannah for supper one night?”
“Maybe next week. She is on the longer rotation right now.”
“Okay.” She grinned. “I might call her. Have coffee on her break or something.”
“I’m sure she’d like that.”
She left in a much better frame of mind than the last time we talked. There was no door-slamming this time. I saw her stop to talk to Maxx, who smiled at her, bending low to kiss her. I looked away with a grin, enjoying the fact that I didn’t feel that pull of jealousy seeing their affection. This morning, I had woken with Hannah in my bed, still nestled against me. I had kissed her before heading to the shower, and we sat at the table sharing coffee before I left. Neither of us had moved in the night, and she looked well rested and refreshed. I felt that way.
She had shyly handed me a container as I went to leave. “I made you lunch.”
“You did?” I asked, delighted.
“We had lots of leftovers from the chicken we grilled. I made you sandwiches.”
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her hard. “Thanks.”
“Have a good day at work, dear,” she teased.
“Are you home tonight?” I asked.
“Yes. I’m going to finish unpacking and hang the curtains in my bathroom.”
“Don’t fall.”
She laughed. “I won’t.”
“Then I’ll see you later.” I kissed her again. “Tonight.” Kiss. “Here.” Kiss. “At home.”