Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
She turns, and her gaze hits me like a thunderbolt. She’s gorgeous. A smattering of freckles across her nose and full bee-stung lips that I’d be intent on kissing if we were in New York. But we’re not in New York. We’re in Star Falls, Colorado, and the cabin next door to mine is the only available accommodation in town.
THREE
Rosey
If I’d stayed in Oregon, I’d be halfway to my honeymoon right now. I’d be on my way to Mexico or Tahiti or maybe even Paris.
Instead, I’m freezing my ass off in a bar in god-knows-where. Okay, so I’m pretty sure I’m in Colorado—the state where I landed. Other than that, I’m clueless and also homeless. The bus stopped when it was already dark. From what I’ve seen of the town so far, it could be the backdrop to a cozy mystery or the home of a serial killer. Either one doesn’t seem particularly appealing. But the bus driver told me about an inn in town, and stupidly, I assumed I’d get a room, so I got off two stops before the end of the line.
I figured no one would look for me here. Beyond that, I don’t have a plan. When I got up this morning, I’d planned to be Frank’s wife by now. Now I’m sitting in a bar halfway across the US, and I’m definitely not married.
My mother’s going to kill me.
I need another tequila. But no, I need to be sober in case I need to practice the self-defense moves I learned in high school. The town being home to a serial killer and all. Possibly. Maybe. I also need to be sober in case drunk-me is tempted to respond to Frank’s text, telling me I’ll come to my senses. That was after I texted him to apologize for dumping him not-quite-at-the-altar.
“Ask around?” I scan the bar. Who would I ask? Letting the world know I’m totally lost and alone doesn’t seem like the wisest plan. Not to mention, the last thing I want is for someone to ask why I’m dressed like this.
By the time I got through security at the airport, the plane was already boarding. I didn’t have time to look for a change of clothes. When I landed, I had a little more luck. After buying a bus ticket, I prioritized footwear. I picked up a pair of sneakers on sale, but then I had to run for my bus. By the time I reached Star Falls, all the stores were closed.
The bartender is barely twenty-one, but he looks at me like he’s seen plenty of brides on the hunt for a bed while on the run. His eyes are full of pity and knowing. “I know Beth and Mike have a couple of cabins just outside of town.”
My heart lifts in my chest at the real possibility of a bed to sleep in tonight.
“But I think they’re rented at the moment.” He looks at the guy sitting next to me. Is this Mike, of Beth and Mike? I turn to look at him. If it is, Beth is a very lucky woman. Mike is hot. I know I was engaged to be married up until ten thirty this morning, but I’m not dead. The guy next to me is tall and dark and swarthy. I don’t know exactly what swarthy means, but I know this guy is it. His hair isn’t long, but it’s not short either. It’s definitely long enough to get a fistful of when he’s buried between my thighs.
Holy crap! I snap my head back to focus on my glass of tap water. I’m staring. More than that, I’m fantasizing. It’s not something I’ve done in a while. My life has felt all too real recently. I make a silent apology to Beth and then turn my attention back to the bartender. “If Beth and Mike are lucky enough to have their cabins rented, is there anyone else in town who has a place? Or rents out a room?”
The bartender shoots another speaking glance at Mike before saying, “You could try Colbert’s Farm, but I think it’s booked.”
Mike interrupts. “I’m renting Beth and Mike’s cabins. I’m in one. You could take the other if you needed it for a couple of nights.” He’s wearing a blue plaid shirt that looks as soft as spun clouds.
So not only is the hot stranger not one half of “Beth and Mike,” he also might have the solution to my accommodation problem.
“It’s available?” I ask.
He nods. It’s not an enthusiastic response, but at this point, as long as it has a bed and a flushing toilet, I’ll take it.
“Is it far?” I ask.
“Just up the street, about half a mile out of town.” He glances at the door and then back at me.
I don’t bother to ask him the price—it’s my only option and I’ll just have to hope it doesn’t drain all of my savings. I glance at my engagement ring. It’s such a pretty ring. I picked it out myself. Frank wanted me to have the exact one I wanted, so we went ring shopping together after the engagement. I hadn’t given any thought to engagement rings, and I picked it out because it reminded me of the kind of flower six-year-old me would have drawn. Small sapphire petals surround a large central diamond. It’s pretty, but now it feels heavy on my finger. Like I shouldn’t be wearing it.