Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Thank Christ. As far as your attacker not getting what he deserves, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Lane Johnson looked like he was ready to slay all your dragons when he left this morning.” And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of. Lane won’t do either of us any good if he’s the one sitting behind bars while Sherman and his son get off scot-free.
8
LANE
“You might have your work cut out for you, Lane.” I step out of my truck when Eleanor is walking down the back steps. My parents and I talked for the better part of an hour, a lot longer than I was hoping to stay to visit. Mom wasn’t having me rushing out the door, especially since I never made it back to her house last night. Meaning she didn’t have the moment she hoped for when it came to celebrating my birthday. I’m not complaining. The last thing I wanted was a party to begin with. Dad could see I was chomping at the bit to get back to Birdie, and he finally told me to get out of there.
“I look forward to the fight she’s going to give me.” Eleanor smiles at my statement. I’ve already got a plan in place. Should Birdie choose to put up a fight with excuse after excuse, I’ll pack her bags, throw them in the truck, and then somehow manage to get her in as well without hurting her.
“I’m glad. You know, when the two of you first got together, I was worried, worried you’d hold her back. I was wrong, Lane, and for that, I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate the apology. It wasn’t necessary, though. I’m guessing Birdie told you what happened in Colorado?” It’s a fifty-fifty shot in the dark. Eleanor isn’t dumb, and knowing my woman, she’ll fold like a pretzel when it comes to her momma.
“You deserve it all the same.” Eleanor takes a deep breath. “And yeah, she told me. I knew already. The quick change in plan, the fact Tully is coming, and Birdie showing up without her dog. It was all too telling. Though I’m going to let you in on a little secret. She was miserable in Colorado. She’d come home, realize you weren’t here, and didn’t want to stay. All this to say, take care of my baby.” Well, shit, color me surprised. This whole damn conversation has my head spinning. I’ll admit I was an idiot. No, I was a damn fool, tucking my tail and running when Birdie came home. That was all on me and knowing if I didn’t, if she gave me the time of day, I’d do my hardest to convince her to stay. Eleanor doesn’t need to hear that, and I bet she knows the truth anyway.
“You good with Birdie moving in with me?” I ask.
“Got no problem with that. You hoard my granddog, though, and we’re going to have problems. I already know Birdie will find her way home every now and then since her best friend, Tully, is staying in the remodeled greenhouse.” Makes sense. When Birdie lived here before going off to college, she didn’t have a whole lot of friends, especially of the female variety. She thought it was a her thing. It absolutely wasn’t her. It was the other girls and their insecurities. Birdie, with the pretty face, long hair, soft sway of her hips with each step, turns heads whenever she’s nearby. She’s oblivious to the attention she garners. She sees the good in everyone, wears her heart on her sleeve, and is willing to give the shirt off her back if it means someone needs it.
“I can’t make any promises. He may like me more than you.” I wink. Eleanor shakes her head.
“Go on in, but I promise you Rocky will be running back and forth between our properties, Rocky will end up here more than with you and Birdie. He knows who has the treats.”
“Are you two seriously fighting over Rocky?” Birdie opens the door. She’s still wearing my shirt from the night before, but her hair is now in a side braid, a few pieces hanging loosely, and she’s got color to her face that she didn’t have last night. There’s also a fire in her eyes. Oh yeah, my woman is back in action.
“Your mom is. I already know Rocky will be wherever you are,” I tell her as I take slow and measured steps, her eyes watching me in their entirety. It’s going to be damn hard to keep my hands to myself while she heals. Especially when she bites her bottom lip.
“I’m going to the sunflower field. I have my phone on me, so don’t worry. Good luck, Lane,” Eleanor says.
“Later, Eleanor,” I toss over my shoulder, my feet carrying me closer and closer to Birdie.