Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
She’s a bossy little thing—I kind of like that.
“Well…okay,” I said. It can’t hurt to go see her house and chat some. Her letters kept me going in prison and gave me hope—the least I can do is takes some time to “catch up” with her.
Sunny doesn’t wait to hear any more. She goes up to talk to the cook and owner of The Pie Shop, who just goes by “Cookie.” I know all about him from her letters. He’s a veteran and outwardly gruff but according to Sunny, he’s a “marshmallow inside.”
Apparently he really is a softy because even though I can hear him grumbling, Sunny comes back with a wide smile on her adorable face.
“Come on.” She tugs at my arm, pulling me up to a standing position. “Let’s go.”
“I have my truck out back—should I follow you?” I ask her.
She shakes her head.
“No need—I just live down the street.” Oh right—she did tell me that. She’s within walking distance of work, which is nice.
“Okay.” I nod through the back window at Cookie as we leave and he nods back grudgingly. We walk out the front door of The Pie Shop and take a right, heading down the sidewalk.
As we walk, Sunny links her arm through mine and looks up at me.
“Come on, Big Brother—let’s go home.”
She’s so much shorter than me, the top of her head doesn’t even reach my shoulder but I find I like feeling her beside me. I like her arm through mine even more.
I’ve been avoiding physical touch for so long—in prison, getting physical with someone almost always means violence. But with Sunny, it’s warm and comforting and sweet—I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who lives up to their name better than her. So even though I promised myself I’d only stay for pie, I let her lead me along willingly.
Apparently we’re going home.
6
SUNNY
I’m so excited to finally show my big brother around my house! It’s a good thing I did a little cleaning last night—not that I ever let it get too messy. Momma taught me to keep things neat and that’s how I like it.
My house is a big old Victorian one block down and one block over from The Pie Shop. It’s the only house like it in town and I love it but I won’t lie—it costs a lot to cool in the summer and even more to heat in the winter. Since it’s the tail end of Spring, things are still a little chilly but not cold enough to turn on the heat. So it’s kind of nippy inside when I push open the door.
“Sorry about the temperature,” I apologize to Kane. “I know it’s chilly in here.”
He only shrugs, his broad shoulders rolling.
“Doesn’t bother me—I run hot anyway.”
As if to prove it, he takes off the brown leather bomber jacket he’s wearing, revealing a skintight black t-shirt underneath that shows the most mouthwatering male chest I’ve ever seen in my life. Then I remind myself that he’s my big brother—I shouldn’t be looking at him that way.
But still…I can’t help comparing him to my boyfriend, Charles. It’s not that Charles doesn’t look nice, he does. But there’s nice and then there’s…this. Chiseled abs and bulging biceps and…I make myself look away.
“Make yourself at home,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t come out too high and squeaky. “Just watch out for Miss Sassy, my cat. She hates most everybody but me.”
As if she heard her name, Miss Sassy comes sauntering out from behind the couch with her furry tail riding high. She’s a Ragdoll that I got from the animal shelter over in Cunningham. Supposedly they’re the most loving cats in the world. In fact, they’re supposed to flop over like a rag doll the minute you pet them or pick them up—which is how they got the name.
Miss Sassy, however, does not fit that stereotype. She’s bonded with me and I’m the only one she wants—she hisses and swipes at everyone else who comes in the house. Even my friend Annabelle, who loves animals and has so many pets she practically qualifies as a Disney Princess, can’t make any headway with my stubborn cat.
So I feel justified in warning my brother.
“She acts like she might be friendly at first but then she’ll scratch the crap out of you if she gets a chance,” I warn him again, because he is actually bending down and holding a hand out to the cat.
Miss Sassy comes over cautiously and sniffs his fingertips. Then, to my utter shock, she rubs her furry cheek against his hand and begins to purr!
“She seems all right.” Kane caresses her with one big hand and she arches her back, the purring ratcheting up to an even higher volume.
“I don’t believe it!” I say blankly, watching him pet her. “Usually she doesn’t like anyone!” She’s even scratched me a fair few times, despite the fact that I’m her “designated human.”