Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
JB’s mouth twitched. “Let me guess, he was still noodling.”
“Yep. I still can’t believe they actually fish with their fingers. And the worst part? He hadn’t lost all those fingers in one go. You’d think losing the first one would have stopped that practice.”
JB propped his feet up next to Cole’s. “People can be crazy. There used to be a group of old men in town who tried to get a noodling tournament going. I remember my dad vetoing that vehemently. But it is a popular practice in some areas around here. I thought it was a southern thing. Surprised to hear about it happening out your way.”
“Anywhere there’s catfish probably, though I think it’s illegal in Ohio. Not Kentucky, though.” Cole felt a tug on his line and sat up to try and set the hook. But whatever it was got away. Probably the turtle he saw poke its head out of the water. “I think we have a curious turtle.”
JB had sat up with him and he now relaxed when he saw the empty lure. “My sister and I used to try and catch them. Turtles are slow, my ass.”
Lifting his beer to his mouth, Cole took a long pull, enjoying the cold brew as it slid down his throat. The sun was hot, and he had sweat gathering on his forehead and upper lip. Made his beard and mustache feel scratchy. He’d paired JB’s black swim trunks with a black T-shirt, and he was wishing he’d picked a lighter color.
He lowered the bottle to find JB watching him closely. He looked back, appreciating the sunlight shining on JB’s hair. His eyes were a bright blue, possibly from the reflection of the water. He really did have an attractive face with his cut cheekbones and square jaw. “How’s Bandit doing?”
“All good now. Thank you for sitting in the barn with me. I appreciate it.”
“I was happy to.”
JB looked to his own line as the end gave a little jerk. “It’s been nice having you here. I’ve enjoyed your company and I have to say, I’ll miss you when you go back to Cincinnati.”
Truth was, he’d miss JB, too. He stared as JB set his hook and reeled in a fish. Wasn’t a very big one, so he promptly freed it, a light splash sounding as he gently let it go. He quickly cast the line out. Cole wanted to say he’d miss him as well, but something held his tongue.
“We can go swimming if we get too hot, but I’ll warn you, the deeper water will still be pretty cold.”
“I’m fine,” Cole answered. “But I will take another beer.”
JB leaned over to reach into the cooler and handed him one. Their fingers brushed when he handed it over and again, he watched Cole.
Feeling that warm gaze on him, Cole returned to his fishing rod, his body feeling loose and easy. He was comfortable with JB in a way he hadn’t felt before—even when the man was staring at him like that.
“So,” JB started, turning his face to the lake. “What’s it like working for Rowe?”
“It’s great. Kind of wild sometimes, but I feel like a real part of the team there. Plus, the job is always interesting. There is definitely no boredom at Ward Security.” Cole chuckled. “The reason I’m here is, he roped me into a sting to catch a woman’s ex-husband threatening her. Of course, when he caught us out on this date, he was pissed at me as well. It didn’t help that I punched the guy right in the nose. Turns out the guy has ties to the mob. Rowe figured it was safer to get me out of town.”
“So, you’re really in danger?”
He looked at JB and quickly reassured him. “Nobody but my family and coworkers know where I am. You don’t have to worry that I brought trouble with me.”
JB reeled in his line and cast it out. “I wasn’t worried. I don’t think Rowe thought the trouble would follow you, or he wouldn’t have sent you here.” JB paused and shook his head. “I’m still surprised he did, though. I extended an invitation to both him and Noah, but they’ve never taken me up on it.”
“Most of the time, when those two take a vacation, it’s a quick one out to some local wilderness. Or they go on vacations with their friends. You should hear the stories about those. All kinds of things from searching for missing kids to gluing mermaids and mermen all over someone’s room. Nothing is safe when Rowe’s involved, and Noah can be just as ornery.”
“Yeah, Noah pulled a few pranks when we were in service, so I can imagine he’s fun to work with.” JB leaned over to get himself another beer, then resettled in his seat. He let out a huge sigh. “I love it out here. The thought of Dillinger turning it into a tourist trap chaps my fucking ass.”