Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“It was a busy day,” I say as I tug his pajama top over his head. “Step into the pants, and you can go to sleep.”
“I’m not tired,” he insists, the way he does every night. But once his pants are pulled on, and he’s gone to the bathroom, he hops into bed, and his eyes close immediately.
“Goodnight, Bubba.”
“’Night,” he says. I shut off his light, but make sure the nightlight comes on before leaving his door open just a crack. I walk out to find that Max has cleared the snow off of my porch and the walkway to the driveway.
“You are my hero this evening.”
He smiles at me as he leans the shovel against the wall of the porch.
“Would you like to come in and warm up?” I ask.
His nose is rosy from the cold, and his brown eyes hold mine as he nods his head.
“I’ll make you some coffee,” I offer.
“I’d better not,” he says with a sigh. He reaches out to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear, sending a shiver down my arms. He smiles softly. “But I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.” I swallow hard, not sure what else to say. I haven’t done this in years. I’m not even sure what this is. Flirting?
Probably.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” he asks.
“I don’t even know,” I reply honestly. “Thanks again for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles and turns to jog down the freshly shoveled steps to his sexy SUV. “Sleep well, Wills.”
“You, too.”
I watch him drive away, then go inside and lean against the closed door.
Oh, my.
Chapter Four
~Willa~
“MAX IS HERE!” Alex exclaims, holding his Eggo waffle and dripping syrup on his hand while he presses his nose against the glass of the window in the front door. “He’s shoveling.”
“Get over here and finish your breakfast,” I reply, craning my neck to look outside. Sure enough, Max is out there, shoveling away. It snowed about eight inches last night.
“Alex, sit down and eat, then get your socks and shoes on,” I say and grab my jacket. “I’m going to say hello to Max.”
“I want to say hello.”
“After you finish getting ready,” I insist, then give him the stern Mom look.
“Yes, ma’am,” he mumbles, nibbling on his waffle.
“Thank you.” I walk onto the front porch and grin when Max glances over his shoulder at me. “Good morning.”
“Yes, it is,” he says with a grin. Good God, that expression can still stop me at fifty paces.
“Hi, Noah,” I call out to Noah King, who I’ve also known most of my life. “You guys don’t have to shovel.”
“I’ll bring a snowblower next time,” Max says.
“It’s not a problem,” Noah assures me. “Sorry to hear about your car.”
“Thanks. Hopefully, it’ll be a quick fix.”
Noah nods, then tosses his shovel in the back of his truck after he finishes the last pass down my walkway.
“I’ll be right there,” Max says to him, then turns to me. “Here is the key fob. You can toss it into your purse and forget about it. You don’t need it out to drive the car.”
“That’s a Range Rover,” I inform him with a frown.
“Would you prefer the Mercedes?” he asks. “I can switch them out today if so.”
“No. No, that’s not it at all.” Good God, I’d be even more nervous to drive that car. “This is a Range Rover SUV, Max.”
He glances at the vehicle, then back at me with a frown. “Yeah?”
“Never mind,” I reply, shaking my head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Thank you for loaning it to me.”
I’m not about to admit to him that driving a car that cost him six figures intimidates the hell out of me. I silently hope and pray that my SUV will be ready quickly.
“Anytime,” he says with that charming smile. “Keep it as long as you need it. Do you want me to go over anything with you?”
“I’ve been driving for a long time,” I remind him, making him laugh.
“Yeah, but every vehicle is different. I can show you some things.”
“I’ll be fine,” I insist and see Noah glance at us from inside his truck. “Besides, it looks like Noah needs to get a move on.”
“Just call if you need anything,” Max says before leaning in to kiss my cheek, setting my body on fire.
Holy Moses, that hasn’t happened in a long time.
“Wait!” Alex yells as he runs outside, two different boots on his feet, and no coat on. “I didn’t get to say hi yet.”
“Well, good morning to you,” Max says and ruffles Alex’s hair. “Did you sleep well?”
“Oh, yeah,” he says with a nod. “I could help shovel.”
I smile at my sweet son. He’s always been so ready to jump in and help. He’s kind and gracious.
“Noah and I had it covered this time,” Max replies with a nod. “But I’ll take you up on that next time.”