Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Not hostage,” he says. “Our home isn’t a jail for you, my love. No, it’s your safe place. Roger told me that you bought that furniture for us. You’ve already made it our home. That’s where you belong.”
“I don’t belong anywhere near you.”
He stands and paces away from me, pushing his hand through his hair. Then he rounds on me and punches me with a closed fist, and everything goes black.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Remington
“Hey, Dad?” Johnny asks as we walk down Main Street.
“Yeah, buddy?”
“Maybe we could just stay in town until Erin gets done at work, and then we could take her out for dinner. We haven’t done that in a long time.”
“Yeah!” Holly agrees. “We could get BBQ!”
I stop and look down at the two of them. They’re staring up at me with excited eyes, and I know that there’s no way I’ll say no.
“Best idea I’ve heard all day. We should definitely do that. We don’t spend much time in town, do we?”
“Nah, but there’s lots to do out at the ranch,” Johnny reminds me. “Sometimes, it’s fun to come to town, though.”
“Let’s pop back by the coffee shop,” I say as Holly slips her hand into mine, “and we’ll make sure that Erin doesn’t have other plans.”
“If she was gonna do something with Aunt Millie, she can come with us, too,” Holly suggests. “Then it’ll be even more fun.”
“We can invite Aunt Millie if you want.”
We’re just about to walk inside the coffee shop when I hear someone call out my name.
“Rem!”
I look behind us and see Brooks striding our way. “Hey, Brooks. How’s it going?”
“I’m well,” he says and shakes my hand. “Surprised to see you in town. How are you guys?”
Brooks grins at the kids and ruffles Johnny’s hair.
“We’re going to see Erin at work to invite her to dinner,” Holly says with a grin. “Do you want to go to dinner?”
Brooks grins. “Not today, but I’ll take a rain check. Thanks for asking me.”
“You kind of look like my daddy,” Holly adds with a shy smile.
Brooks and I share a glance, and I shrug. “She’s a kid.”
“She’s an adorable kid. Anyway, I have a guy on my staff who should be on your staff.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why?”
“All he talks about is horses and ranching. He’s nineteen, and he’s a good kid. Horrible with an engine, but he has a strong work ethic, and I think he’d thrive out at Wild River Ranch.”
“Give him my number. I need more help for the summer, and we’ll take it from there.”
“Thanks.” Brooks nods. “Have a fun dinner, you guys. See you later.”
After a wave in Brooks’s direction, I push through the door of the coffee shop and blink in surprise.
At the counter, Holden Lexington is grinning at my sister.
And she has her arms crossed over her chest, trying not to smile back.
“Where’s Erin?” Johnny demands as we approach.
“Oh, she just had to run and check on Roger real quick. She should be back soon.” Millie turns back to Holden. “Do you need anything else?”
“This coffee is delicious,” Holden says idly, as if he has all day to lean on the counter and ponder over his coffee. He looks over at me and nods. “Rem.”
“Holden.” I nod back. “Have you met my kids?”
“Sure, but I haven’t seen them in a long time. Jenny and Cameron, right?”
Johnny and Holly laugh.
“No,” Holly says. “I’m Holly, and he’s my brother, Johnny.”
“That’s right.” Holden glances back up at me with a wink and then turns back to Millie. “Thanks for your time, Miss Wild.”
“You’re not welcome,” she mutters, making Holden smile more as he takes his coffee and walks out of the shop. “He’s a moron.”
“He’s not as bad as his father,” I reply.
“You hate him,” she reminds me. “And you were nice to him.”
I remember what Erin said to me when we were by the mine.
“Bygones,” I reply with a shrug. “You said Erin went to check on Roger?”
“Yeah, the poor guy. He—”
She’s interrupted by the sound of the door, and Chase strides in, looking good and irritated.
“Forgot my wallet,” he says as Millie holds it up for him.
“That’s what you get when you run away from the truth,” Millie says as she starts making something in small cups. “Do my two favorite kids want some hot chocolate?”
“Yeah!” both kids say together.
“I’m not avoiding the truth,” Chase mutters darkly.
“What truth is that?” I ask.
“He’s hot for Summer,” Millie says. “The woman, not the season.”
“You are?” I blink in surprise. “Well, she’s pretty and nice. And a good businesswoman.”
“That’s what I said,” Millie agrees.
Chase just shakes his head and pulls his hand down his face. “Everyone shut up about it.”
“I like Miss Summer,” Holly says. “She has pretty flowers.”
Chase looks down at Holly mournfully. “Not you, too.”
Before she can answer, Chase’s phone rings.
“Wild,” he answers, and suddenly, his body tightens, his face goes blank, and I know that something is wrong. “When? Is he there now? Tell him to stay outside, and I’ll be there in three minutes. Send backup.”