Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
She wore clothes that were at least three sizes too big for her frame. Her red hair was bound up on her head. She looked so damned sexy that she made Hardy ache for a chance to get his hands on her. It had been too long since he’d been inside her.
“You’re doing gardening?”
“Yes.”
“What’s happened, Hardy?”
“Nothing.”
“You don’t do yard work.”
“I’m a changed man. You’re going to find that I do a lot of things you didn’t think I did.” He gave her a wink, and got started back on work.
Once the grass box on the mower was filled with the cut grass, he turned the machine off, and started to put the cuttings in compost heap.
“You’re wooing Rose,” Baker said when he made to pass him.
Looking toward the kitchen door, he didn’t see Rose standing there.
“Have you got a problem with that?”
“No, no problem at all. I think it’ll be great if you two get back together. You both deserve it.”
Hardy was thankful that he had his brothers on his side.
Rose brought out some lemonade, and he took it, keeping her out to talk. He listened as she spoke about buying some roses to mix in with the flowers.
“We’ll go and pick some up. Do you want to do that now?”
“Yes, I’d like that. Are you coming, Baker?” Rose asked.
“Nah, I’ll let you two go. Tell me where you want the roses, and I’ll dig up the holes.”
Hardy finished up his mowing as Rose talked with Baker about where she wanted the bushes. When he finished the lawn, Rose was ready to leave. He cursed when he saw that he had his bike. “We can ride to the clubhouse first.”
Rose nodded.
He handed her a helmet, climbing onto his bike. Hardy found it hard to swallow past the ball of emotion clogging in his throat. It had been too long since he had her on the back of his bike. The only thing missing was his leather jacket on her.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him.
Taking his time, he rode toward the clubhouse. With Rose at his back, Hardy felt right. It was right to have her with him.
They entered the clubhouse to find Angel and Lash herding the children toward their car. She had Tabitha and Miles with her, along with Anthony, Darcy, and Simon.
“What’s going on?” Hardy asked, climbing off his bike.
“I’m taking the kids home with me today. Eva and Tiny wanted a break, and Tate and Murphy have the new baby. I’m free,” Angel said.
“I’m just dropping her off,” Lash said. “This evening we’ve got church. I’m calling it. Everyone knows, including the prospects.”
“What about Rose?” he asked.
“She can stay at the clubhouse, and one of the boys will drive her home.”
Hardy nodded. He shook hands with Lash, then made his way toward his car.
“What’s with church?” she asked.
“I made an observation about Millie. She’s not very aware of the danger she puts herself in by being exposed.”
“Why were you at Millie’s place?” Rose asked.
“Making an order for one of the boys.” Hardy pulled out of the parking lot. This was the first time Rose had spent time with him without him having to coerce her. He wasn’t going to lose this chance.
Chapter Three
Rose watched Hardy lean forward grabbing the three different rose bushes she wanted. Red, white, and pink, they were her favorite. They walked around the garden store, and Rose couldn’t help but realize that this was the first time they’d been shopping together. They’d never even gone to the store for food.
“What is it?” Hardy asked when she released a little chuckle.
“Nothing.”
“You can tell me.” He started pushing the trolley, and she followed him, walking side by side.
“We’ve never shopped together.”
“Nah, we’ve got to have done it before,” he said. “We’ve been together ten years.”
“We’ve not. You always had something more to do. You’d give me some money, send me in. You wouldn’t shop with me.” She shrugged. It wasn’t something that bothered her. Rose was used to watching other couples shopping, and wishing Hardy would go with her. Again, like so many times before, she hadn’t said anything. Rose realized it was just as much her fault as Hardy’s. “Forget I said anything.”
“Do you need to go to the grocery store?” Hardy asked.
“I do.”
“We’ll rectify that situation. We’ll go shopping after we’ve bought these roses. Is there anything else you want today?”
She looked around the store and shook her head. “No. Getting the garden to actually look like a garden is more important.”
They paid for the roses, and were back in the car minutes later. She watched Hardy as he drove to the store. This man she knew, and yet she didn’t.
Waking up from her nap, she’d been shocked to find Hardy in her yard, mowing the lawn. He rarely did any yard work, and she’d been the one to keep the house looking good.