Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Fiera raised one perfectly arched eyebrow. “And yet here you are, thinking about it anyway.”
Argh!
Fiera was right. Why couldn’t she get Grady Kane out of her head? Well, that was an easy one. He was tall, handsome, and thoughtful—well, in his own stern, growly kind of way—and a loving father. Come to think of it, maybe she needed to borrow that napkin from Fiera.
Okay, stern and growly might not sound thoughtful to some people, but when you grew up in a family where no one cared what you did, it was the most thoughtful thing a Daddy could be. And the way he loved Rose created such longing in Sage’s heart.
Sage sighed and dropped her hands. “I can’t help it. Every time he gives me that stern look, my brain short-circuits, and my bottom does this clenchy, crawly thing like it’s already preparing for trouble. It’s ridiculous. And embarrassing. I’ve only been there three weeks!”
Fiera reached over and squeezed her hand. “You do remember you’re from Wilder, right? Where the Daddies are stern, the Littles are spoiled, and nobody minds their own business. Speaking of which, have I mentioned how excited I am to go to Rawhide Ranch in August? I need this vacation so bad.”
Sage grinned right back. “Only about a million times! I’m so happy for you. You’re going to have the best time ever. I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back. Unless, of course, you meet the Daddy of your dreams there and he sweeps you off to places unknown.” Sage put on a sad face. “Then I’ll never see you again.”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Fiera said with a roll of her eyes. “I’m not going there to meet a Daddy. My number one, okay, well, number two or three reason for going is to get away from Erwin. Honestly, that man is driving me crazy. If I get rid of him and have some fun while I’m there, all the better.”
“Still, it’s the perfect time to meet the Daddy of your dreams,” Sage said. “You just wait. You’re going to get there and find Daddy Wonderful.”
Fiera shook her head. “Who knows, but that’s not why you wanted to talk to me. What can I do for you, Miss Homeschool Nanny Extraordinaire?”
Sage perked up. Now Fiera was speaking her language. “Tell me everything you know about what kindergartners are supposed to know before first grade. Rose is very smart, but she’s been through a lot. I’ve reviewed the curriculum, but I want to make sure I’m not missing anything important.”
Fiera launched into a detailed explanation about letter sounds, number recognition, and basic sight words, Sage pulled out her notebook and started scribbling. She almost didn’t notice when Grady and Rose returned from the feed store.
Almost.
Her Daddy radar was way too active when it came to Grady. The moment Grady stepped through the saloon doors with Rose’s little hand tucked safely in his big one, Sage’s heart did a silly cartwheel. Rose looked happier than she had in days, clutching a new coloring book and a bag of crayons like they were treasures.
Fiera glanced around before giving Sage a knowing smirk.
Sage ignored her best friend as Grady’s eyes met hers, and that familiar stern look made her tummy flip. A wave of ticklish heat bloomed across her bottom.
A loud, obviously drunk voice cut through the saloon. Earlier, some noises and rude comments had been coming from his table, but Sage and Fiera hadn’t really paid attention to him. Sage had figured he was harmless, but now he was standing beside them.
“Well, hey there! You two ladies look like you could use a real cowboy’s company.”
Sage rolled her eyes. The man was nothing but a tourist, and about as real as a wooden nickel. Some wannabe cowboy in an expensive hat and shiny new boots, leaning over their table, grinning sloppily at Sage and Fiera.
He tried to cross his ankles and almost fell. “Name’s Trent. I’m here visiting from Texas. You ladies wanna show me a good time?”
Fiera answered the man with her most venomous glare. “Do all Texans get drunk in the middle of the afternoon?”
“We’re fine, thanks,” Sage added politely, glancing nervously over at Grady, who was already headed their way.
The man didn’t take the hint. He was almost in her face now, breath reeking of whiskey. “Aw, come on, sugar. Don’t be like that. I bet we could have some fun.” He glanced at Fiera. “I could do both of you—”
A deep, low voice cut through the air like a whip as Grady’s stern, growly cowboy made an appearance. “The lady said she was fine.”
With Rose tucked safely behind him, Grady was suddenly there, glaring down at the man like Zeus ready to cast a bolt of lightning from his mountain. The relief that swept through Sage at Grady’s presence was real.