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)
“They haven’t.”
“Then why are there fresh footprints in that mud? Man footprints.”
I tell my horse to stop, and I dismount, walk over to the prints, and squat. Brady joins me.
“The mud is half dry,” I say grimly. “But yeah, the prints are fresh. I haven’t sent any of our guys up here since last year. It was too wet to get here safely with the horses.”
“We’re not anywhere near the Lexingtons’,” he says, looking around. “Hiker?”
“Maybe, but we have no trespassing signs posted, and they had to jump a fence.”
“It’s happened before.”
I stand back up and prop my hands on my hips. “I don’t like it. Let’s set up some game cameras out here to keep an eye out. It might have been a hiker, but it doesn’t sit well.”
“Agreed. I’ll make sure we get the cameras set up by tomorrow.”
I nod and walk back to my horse and snag my phone from the saddle bag.
“I’m going to snap some pictures. Keep a record.”
We spend fifteen minutes taking pictures and measuring and logging the footprints before we’re on our way again.
“I think we should add some patrols to the guys’ duties,” Brady says. “It’s time we pay closer attention to the more remote parts of the property, especially now that we have more people in the area. I’m not saying that they all mean any malice, but we don’t want someone wandering out here and getting hurt.”
“Not a bad idea.”
It’s just past dinnertime when I return home, and I hope that there’s something left over for me because I’m fucking starving, thanks to the trip across the ranch taking longer than we anticipated.
I kick off my dirty boots at the back door and walk into the kitchen. Both of the kids are sitting at the island, eating what looks like meatloaf, and Erin is loading the dishwasher.
“Hi, Dad,” Johnny says. “Erin made meatloaf.”
Erin turns and grins at me. “It’s still hot. Want some?”
“More than anything in the world.”
“Dad’s always hungry after work,” Holly says and shoves some mashed potatoes into her mouth.
“I would be, too,” Erin replies with a smile.
She’s wearing jeans that hug her ass perfectly and a pink sweater that falls over one shoulder. This time, she’s wearing a pink lacy thing under it that makes my fingers itch to touch her.
Instead, I brush my fingers against hers when she hands me the plate from the cabinet and watch with satisfaction as her lips turn up in a little secret smile.
Jesus Christ, I just had her this morning after she returned from taking the kids to school, but I want her again.
“Smells good,” I murmur, meaning her, not the meatloaf.
“It is good,” Holly says. “Come sit by me, Daddy.”
“I would love to sit by my best girl.” I kiss my daughter’s cheek before I take the stool next to hers and dig in. Holly’s right, it’s good.
I enjoy watching Erin laughing and engaging with the kids. They have an easy camaraderie with each other that’s way more relaxed than I ever hoped for when the whole nanny idea came to be. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Erin isn’t simply nice to my kids because she’s sleeping with me.
In fact, I suspect that it’s probably the opposite.
“What did you do today, Dad?” Johnny asks.
“I was on the horse all day. Had to do some scouting for next week. What did you guys do in school?”
I listen to stories of an escaped class hamster, a fight during recess, and someone who fell asleep during reading time.
“Sounds like a busy day,” I say with a grin and turn to Erin. “How about you?”
“I spent most of the day in town. Did some shopping and checked on my car. Brooks says it’ll be done by the end of the week.” She smiles and leans on the other side of the island as she chats with us. “I also made an appointment to chat with your mom on Monday.”
“Good,” I reply with a nod.
“I think I’m going to join Millie in town tonight for a floral arrangement class.”
“You want to learn to arrange flowers?”
“Not really,” she replies with a laugh. “But I miss Millie, and I think it sounds fun. I’m heading out in about fifteen minutes, unless you need something.”
“Nope, I think we’re good to go. How about you two?”
Johnny nods, clearly not at all concerned with Erin leaving for a few hours, but Holly frowns.
“Maybe I want to arrange flowers.”
“Another time,” I tell her. “Erin should go enjoy some time with her friends.”
“But Millie is my aunt,” Holly insists.
“Yes, she is,” I agree. “And she’s Erin’s friend. You don’t always have to be included in everything, sweet girl.”
“Is it because I’m too little?” she asks.
“They will probably have adult drinks there,” Erin chimes in. “Plus, it ends way past your bedtime. But, if you want to visit the flower shop after school one day, we totally can.”