Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“You’re not very bright,” I mutter to the lightsaber. I got it four years ago when I’d fallen into my Star Wars era. I have a new obsession every three months. During that time, Grams got it for me. She had it specially made so that it’s pink.
I start to get worried when I don’t make it to the road as quickly as I thought I would. It’s been a while since I’ve been out here. When I see headlights, I let out a sigh of relief and run toward them.
My pickup spot is more of an area. I didn’t want them coming to the door, so I’d given them a general spot. I rush forward so they don’t pass by, waving my lightsaber. My foot catches on a rock, and I stumble forward, losing hold of it. It goes sliding across the road as I fall flat on my face. I hear the vehicle slam on its brakes.
I cringe at the sound of squealing tires and close my eyes, not wanting to see my lightsaber be crushed. I open my eyes when I hear the sound of the door opening. I spot my lightsaber in one piece.
“It lived!” I push up to my knees as a man comes around the SUV. The headlights only let me see his massive outline. He looms like we’re in a horror movie. “I’m okay,” I tell him. “Sorry if I’m late.” I get to my feet. “My flashlight wasn’t as flashlight-ish as I hoped it would be,” I tell him. I squint, trying to make him out, but I can’t. “I’m Teddy.” I hold my hand out, not wanting to be rude. I mean I’ve already almost made the man crash his car.
“I need you to not move,” he tells me. His voice is deep and rough. He should do audiobooks.
“Why?” I whisper.
“I want you to take a step toward me.”
“Why?” I ask again, reaching up to fix my tiara. It somehow managed to stay on. Grams was right; this is why you really need to have them fitted.
“There is a giant-ass cat behind you.”
“Are you serious?!” I hiss, knowing exactly who it is. What is with her lately?
“Move toward me.”
“We’ll leave in a second. I’m so sorry for all of the trouble. I’ll handle the cat. Grab my lightsaber, will you?” I tell him before spinning around. “Minnie! What did I—” I’m cut off when an arm wraps around my waist and yanks me back.
Minnie surges forward with a loud growl, baring her teeth. Holy crap, she looks so badass. When the man pulls out a gun, I almost die. I shove at him, but he’s like a giant unmovable boulder. “Don’t shoot! That’s my baby!” I tell him. “Minnie, no! Bad girl.” She freezes with one of her front paws still raised, ready to launch forward.
I hold one hand out toward Minnie and the other on the giant man's bicep. It’s bigger than my thigh. I give it a small squeeze. His attention jerks down to my hand. Minnie takes a step back.
“Sorry.” I have to fight the urge to do it again. “Is that gun real?”
“You think I’m carrying around a fake gun?”
“My lightsaber isn’t real.” I swear I can make out a slight twitch of his lips.
“You got me. It’s fake.”
I puff out a breath. “Scare tactics. I get it.” I nod firmly in understanding. It’s to spook people. “Let me deal with her,” I tell him, forcing myself to drop my hand from his bicep but not before one last small squeeze.
“This is your cat?” he asks as I step toward her. “A lynx?” I can't have that going around town or these woods. Mum's the word.
“Shh, she doesn’t know she’s one. Minnie is a normal tiny house cat. Aren't you?” I ruffle her ears, making her purr. “Now back to the house or no more ear rubbing,” I order her, pointing back the way we’d come. She lets out another loud huff but turns and takes off back toward the house. “Sorry about that. We can be a bit codependent.”
He stares down at me.
"You should put that away." I go to poke the gun, but he pulls it back before I can. "All right, I won't touch." I put my hands up. "But then you can't touch my lightsaber." I walk over and pick it up off the ground. "Who am I kidding? You can if you want."
"I'm good." He steps over toward my bags lying on the ground. A stack of cash had fallen out. I grabbed it from the safe. In case of emergency money. Plus, Mr. Gem can't track cash.
"Did you rob the place?" he asks.
I snort a laugh. "I can't rob my own safe."
"And you came from up there." He nods back toward the house. You can't see it from here.