Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Thankfully, Birdie’s infectious laugh and hearing her tell stories from her day diffuses the sexual tension between us, and we settle into a nice dinner. The burgers are delicious, and after we’ve eaten the brownies, the two of them escort me back to my house so Birdie can look in on Pickles.
“Thanks for dinner,” I murmur. We’re standing on the porch, and Birdie’s inside, playing with the cat. “I had a really nice time with both of you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m really glad you came over.” He takes a tiny step toward me and skims his fingertips down my cheek. “God, you’re soft.”
Feeling brave, I brace my hands on his hips, just over his waistband and under his shirt, feeling his skin.
“And you’re warm.”
His eyes sharpen and fall to my lips, and I lick them in anticipation. Just as he’s lowering his face to mine, the door flings open, and Birdie’s crying.
“Shit,” Bridger mutters and turns to his daughter. “What’s wrong, peanut?”
“Pickles scratched me.” She holds her arm up, and there’s a tiny pink line on her forearm. “I just pinched her back foot a little so I could look at her toe beans.”
“You don’t pinch anyone’s anything,” Bridger says with a sigh. “You’re fine, but we’ll go give it a wash. Tell Miss Dani good night.”
She knuckles the tears in her eyes and scowls. “Good night.”
“’Night, sweetie.”
Bridger picks her up, and she leans her head on his shoulder. She’s tired. But before he walks away, he leans down and kisses my forehead.
“Sleep well, sweetheart.”
“You, too.”
Chapter Five
BRIDGER
My baby sister is a badass.
We’ve always known it. Bee, as most of us call her, has the kind of personality that says I don’t give a fuck. If she wants it, she’s going to figure out a way to get it.
And the woman isn’t even twenty-five yet.
A couple of years ago, she decided that she wanted to open a bookstore here in Bitterroot Valley, but the space she wanted, right next to the coffee shop, wasn’t available. The owner made noises about selling, but then they would change their mind. Did Bee buy or rent something else instead?
No. That firecracker waited them out because no other space would do, and now, Billie’s Books is close to opening.
It’s Thursday, I’ve just dropped Birdie off at school, and I’ve decided to grab some coffee before I see how the progress is going at the new bookstore.
Millie Wild-Lexington, owns Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co, and she’s another badass woman in my life.
I’m surrounded by them.
“Hey,” Millie says when I approach the counter. “Your usual?”
I don’t know how she’s managed to memorize every customer’s usual, but she has.
“Yeah. How’s it going?” I side-eye the plastic that’s covering the big hole that was cut between the two stores so customers will be able to get coffee and reading material. “Not too much dust over here?”
“Nah, the plastic helps,” she says with a smile, sliding my mug of hot, black coffee my way. “She’s almost done over there, Bridge. It’s so great. Have you popped over?”
“That’s my next stop. I needed a caffeine hit first.”
“And I appreciate your patronage.” She grins at me but then scowls when I don’t smile back. “Why are you always so grumpy?”
“I’m not.”
She rolls her eyes. “You have been lately. Cheer up, Chief. Nothing’s that serious. How’s Birdie?”
“She’s been feeling pretty good.” I frown, not wanting to jinx it. “Loving school. She’s in Dani’s class.”
“Yeah?” Her eyes sparkle as she watches me. “And how is that going?”
“Birdie loves it.” I take a sip of coffee.
“And how is it having my sister-in-law across the street?”
“No complaints from me.”
Millie exhales and rolls her eyes. “Are you flirting with her? Dating her? Come on, I saw the way you looked at her. You like her.”
“Sure, I like her. I’ve known her forever.”
I laugh when Millie narrows her eyes at me.
“I’m attempting to date her, okay?”
“That’s better.” She grins. “Is that why you’re grumpy? Because you haven’t been dating her enough? What dates have you been on, anyway?”
“You’re a pain in my ass. She came to my place for dinner on Monday.”
She blinks at me. “That’s it?”
“I have a job. She has a job. I have a kid. She has a cat.”
“Wait, she has a cat?”
“Yeah, it was a stray. Not that Pickles is any excuse.” I shake my head, and Millie frowns.
“Who’s Pickles?”
“The cat.”
“Back up.” She leans on the counter and crosses her arms over her chest. “You haven’t even taken her on a real date?”
“You’re not listening. She came to my house for dinner.” I say the words slowly so she can comprehend them.
“Was Birdie home?”
I lift a brow at her. My best friend is starting to piss me off.
“Then it wasn’t a date, Bridger. Did you walk her home and kiss her?”
I wince. “I walked her home, but before I could kiss her, Birdie interrupted. That seems to be happening a lot. Getting interrupted.”