Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Are you asking if I have commitment issues, Ms. Dover?”
I try to restrain my grin but fail. “Not in so many words, but I am curious.” He appears to stall on the rebound, which is so unlike him. Letting him off the hook, I say, “Maybe some things are best left a mystery.”
“I’m not trying to be evasive. I just don’t have an answer.” He takes a breath that fills his chest, and when he slowly releases it, he says, “I hope to figure some stuff out while I’m back in the Pass.”
I don’t know whether to joke or not since I’m not used to this side of him. “Sounds serious.”
With a chuckle, he replies, “Not so serious, but time to face the next stage of life.” He peers over out of the corners of his eyes. “Or at least consider it.”
I’m glad he understood what I meant, but now he has me even more curious about this next stage. Looking ahead, I spy the turnoff. “Take a right up ahead.” I cross my legs, leaning my elbow on the door. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“I feel like personal is all we’ve been doing tonight, but sure, hit me with some more.”
I could play off his vibe, but I need to know who he is beyond what I’ve seen tonight. My heart thumps in my chest as I circle in on what I really want to know. “Do you run when you get scared?”
“Doesn’t everyone? I’ve been in enough fights in my life. Flight keeps me out of jail.” He chuckles and makes the turn. “The winery is located up ahead?”
I can sense his discomfort behind his jokes. “I don’t mean scared for your life. I meant—”
“I know what you meant, Cricket.” His tone doesn’t hold an ounce of anger. No indignation or impatience is heard. But the door certainly looks to be closed if I want him to open up tonight. He slows the truck when he sees the entrance to Dover Creek Winery ahead. “Where am I taking you?”
“Stop at the gate. The guard will let us in.” He could say so much about that, but there’s no judgment on his face. He stops under the bright overhead lamp just shy of the guard hut. When he looks at me, I say, “He’ll come out.”
On cue, the door opens and Joe steps out, shining a flashlight on Griffin’s face. As soon as Griffin rolls the window down, I lean over the console. “Hi Joe. Mr. Greene is dropping me off.”
His eyes pivot back to Griffin, and he asks, “Dropping off Ms. Dover and then exiting the property?”
“Just as the lady said.” His charm is laid out, though I know Joe well enough that it won’t go far. I’ve known him for about ten years now. He can be protective, if not overly sometimes, and judges any guy I bring home. Sounds ridiculous even to me since I’m a grown woman, but I know it’s from the good of his heart, so it’s okay.
I catch the way Griffin is studying Joe. For someone so cocky, I didn’t take him for the jealous type.
Joe leans down and nods at me. “Have a good night, Cricket.”
“You too, Joe. Good night.”
Griffin says, “Good night, Joe.”
With one foot in the hut, he shoots Griffin a hard glare. “Drop-off only, Mr. Greene.”
He salutes Joe, and as soon as the crossing gate rises, the truck is already moving forward. Griffin says, “I have a feeling Joe isn’t looking out for you from the good of his heart but from a part that’s lower.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Um.” His eyes dart between the road and me twice before he looks at me like the answer is obvious. Opening his mouth, he closes it again, but then says, “Good to know you’re safe here.”
“Aw.” His caring about me makes my heart clench. “That’s sweet.”
Leaning over, he rests his elbow on the console and raises an eyebrow. “Must make it hard to date or have someone stay over.” If he only knew . . .
“It’s not something I’ve dealt with in a long time, so it’s not a concern.”
“How long?”
I point off to the side in the distance. “Take the first right and follow the curve of the road left just after the bend.” He’s looking around as he slowly cruises the property. When he looks at me in anticipation, I reply, “Maybe college since I brought someone home.”
“And since someone stayed over?”
No need to lie. The truth comes easily on this one. “Not ever in this home. A boyfriend back in college once or twice. That relationship didn’t stick for long. It’s up on the right.”
His eyes widen as he looks through the windshield. “Nice house.”
“Thanks. It’s . . .” I look out the window at it when he pulls up to the front. “I’ve enjoyed having the space.”