Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
The man turns and looks weirdly guilty, jumping as he does so. "Oh, um! Well, maybe." The man is maybe in his mid-thirties, but he has an oily sort of look about him that I don't trust. But I've already offered my help, and Southern hospitality is part of my DNA. "I'm not used to shopping for tools and stuff," he admits. "I'm looking for a new length of rope for my … boat … is all."
"Well, the ropes are this way, but what type are you looking for?" I lead him back to the aisle and look the selection over. It's not huge, but it's enough, and he seems lost.
"A rope for my boat, like I said."
I'm not getting a good feeling from this guy. He seems shifty, like he's hiding something, and I've dealt with plenty of men just like him over the years. They're usually the type who think they're above the law. "Do you need a rope for the anchor? Or the winch?"
"Uh, the winch?"
"What type of boat do you have?"
"A fishing boat."
"Where do you fish?"
"In the lake."
"Do you keep your boat at the marina, or on the shore, or..."
"Oh, the marina."
I give him a hard look, but I think if I push him more, he's going to run. He hasn't said anything too weird yet, but my instincts aren't usually wrong. "Okay, man. Sure." I hold out my hand. "Cam. And you are?"
"Um, Frank," the man says, shaking my hand, his palm sweaty.
I grab a coiled length of cord and toss it towards him, which he catches awkwardly. "This should do. Say, why haven't I seen you around here before?"
"I'm in town to see a friend." Frank wipes his wet hands on his slacks, looking less stressed now that we're in neutral conversation territory again. "She just moved here, and I want it to be a surprise."
"That's sweet," I say. "What's your friend's name?"
"K—" He stops himself and coughs into his hand. "Kate. It's Kate."
It's a lie, actually, but he doesn't know I know, and I want to keep it that way. Something about this man is setting off warning bells in my head, and all of them are about my new, gorgeous neighbor. I could pound this guy into the ground right here and now, but I have no proof, so I just clap him on the shoulder and squeeze a little harder than necessary. "Good luck then, Frank. I'll be seeing you around, I'm sure."
He nods, looking pale.
I'm a good judge of character, and Frank is shady as hell. I shrug it off, knowing there's nothing I can do about it right now, but take a second to memorize the cars in the parking lot after I buy my string, just in case.
When I get home, Kelly is outside, and I wave at her. She smiles but doesn't approach, and I try not to let that bother me. Maybe she's not sure how to act around her new neighbor, either.
Or maybe I'm completely barking up the wrong tree.
Either way, I need a distraction.
I fire up my weed eater, and the high-pitched hum fills the air. My yard isn't big, and it's easy enough work, but the whole time I'm focused on what the fuck is going on with Frank and what his deal is.
I have a bad feeling, and I can't shake it.
"Hey."
Her voice makes me jump, and the weed eater goes flying. I catch it before it hits the ground, but it's close, and I turn to face Kelly, trying to look casual and calm, but my heart is racing.
She's dressed in a tiny pair of jean shorts and a tank top, and her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail. She looks amazing, and she's smiling at me. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."
"No worries," I say. "How's your day going?"
"It's been okay, but I wanted to ask, did you mow my lawn?"
"Yeah, thought it would be a nice welcome gift," I admit. "Plus, it's the neighborly thing to do."
"That's so kind," she says, and her blue eyes shine. "Thank you. You didn't have to."
"It's nothing," I say. "I cut my own, so it's not a big deal."
"Well, thank you," she says. "Can I buy you dinner or something? It's the least I can do."
I'd love nothing more than a night alone with her, but repayment for the lawn has nothing to do with it. "Sounds like a fair trade. When?"
Kelly chews on her bottom lip, thinking, one hand planted on her curvy hip. "Tomorrow night? I've still got a lot of unpacking to do, and I promised myself I'd get at least my clothes done today."
"Sure," I say. "Tomorrow night sounds great. Just text me when you're ready and we'll figure it out."
We exchange numbers, and just like that, she’s available to me anytime, anywhere. She looks pleased, and the smile she gives me makes my chest ache. "See you later, Cam," she says, heading back into her house.