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)
There, that was firm and reasonable, right?
“No.”
Urgh, this man. He was definitely sent to test her.
“No? Jeb, you can’t just say no.”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s so . . . so . . . annoying.”
“Why? Because you’re not getting your way?”
“Not getting my way?” she repeated. “Dude, you are the one that likes to get their own way, not me.”
“Then you should stop arguing with me and let me have what I want.”
Dear Lord.
“I don’t know. I think you get your way too often. I think you need someone to challenge you.”
“And that person is you?”
Suddenly, he stopped walking, staring down at her. Were they flirting? This felt like flirting, right?
Why did he have to be so damn attractive and yet so damn bossy?
She shrugged, not trusting herself to speak without her voice cracking.
“I must admit, you are definitely a challenge,” he said as he walked over to a large black truck.
Wow. This thing was enormous.
“I’m a challenge? Me?” she said, placing her hand on her chest. “What do you think you are?”
He somehow managed to open the door without dropping her. Then he placed her inside and did up her seatbelt.
Did he think that she couldn’t fasten her own belt?
However, she didn’t say anything. She was learning to pick her battles.
Plus, a part of her kind of liked him taking care of her like this. Even if he did check that the seatbelt was working.
Twice.
“Me? Well, I think I’m perfect.”
He was kidding. He didn’t really think that, did he? She stared at him. Hmm. He looked completely serious.
“You know, your aura has gone all strange. Kind of a murky gray. With strange sparks of silver.”
He frowned slightly. “What does that mean?”
Casey opened her mouth and he shook his head.
“You know what, don’t tell me. I can guess.”
He could?
Moving around to the driver’s side, he started the truck up before looking over at her. “Also, I was carrying you because you only have one shoe on.”
She stared down at her feet. Well, crap.
How had she not noticed that she was missing a sandal? “Where did that go?”
“I don’t know. We might have left it at the diner.”
Shoot. Oh, well. She’d just get it later.
He started driving. “Which motel are you staying at?”
“Um, the Angel Suites.”
“All right, I’ll drop you off there.”
“So, that was nice of Megan not to charge us,” she said casually.
He grunted, frowning.
“Guessing your mother never told you to be careful of making faces in case the wind changes and your face is left in that position?” she asked.
Jeb turned to look at her briefly. “What makes you think she didn’t tell me that?”
“Ahh, so you just didn’t listen. Have you been frowning since you were a kid?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Never thought about it,” he said briskly. “And yeah, it was nice of her.”
“I guess she doesn’t do that for everyone.”
Jeb sighed. “What are you trying to say?”
“That she likes you. Maybe you should ask her on a date.” Her stomach tightened at the thought. She didn’t even know why she was bringing this up. It was none of her business.
“She doesn’t like me. She’s just friendly. And even if she did like me, I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”
Right.
What was she thinking? He had lost his wife and maybe he wasn’t ready for another relationship yet.
Urgh, why was she always saying the wrong thing?
“What is this job that you’ve got lined up in Santa Barbara?” he asked.
“I’m working in a club.”
“A club? That doesn’t sound safe.” He pulled up in front of the motel.
“Yeah, well, if I don’t get there soon there won’t be a job,” she muttered.
Stop being so negative. Everything will be fine.
Casey plastered a big smile on her face. “Anyway, not your problem. I’ll be going now. Have a great rest of your life.”
When she tried to open the door though, it wouldn’t work.
“Is the kiddy lock on?” she asked as his phone rang.
He held up a finger and she sighed.
“What? What happened?” The urgency in his voice had her eyeing him worriedly. “Is he all right? Yes, I’ll be there soon.”
Jeb ended the call and started up his truck.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he drove away from the motel. “You’re supposed to be dropping me off.”
“I’ve got to get to the school. Wyatt is in trouble.”
Oh no! She wondered what happened to him. “Just pull over and I’ll walk back to the hotel.”
“No. I haven’t finished with you yet. You’ll just have to wait in the truck while I go straighten it out.”
Great, just great.
When they pulled up outside the school, he quickly undid his seatbelt, then opened the door and jumped out. “Stay here.”
Sheesh.
Did he really think that she was going to just do what he said? Maybe she didn’t want to sit in his truck, waiting. She had stuff to do. Casey climbed over to the driver’s side and opened the door, getting out.