Total pages in book: 254
Estimated words: 240032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1200(@200wpm)___ 960(@250wpm)___ 800(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 240032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1200(@200wpm)___ 960(@250wpm)___ 800(@300wpm)
Franklin’s voice was interesting as he agreed, “I suppose we can.”
I blinked, the silence so thick I wondered if that was what floating around in outer space had to be like. It was almost suffocating on the ears and heavy on the soul. I wanted to fidget so bad. Whistle maybe.
The female elder made a delicate sniffling sound. “Have you arranged a schedule for your suitors?” she asked me, and I had a feeling she was just trying to change the subject at this point.
The guilt came back with a vengeance the second the word “suitors” came out of her mouth. The urge to glance at Henri had never been so strong. But I didn’t. “The men. Yeah. Franklin and I talked about it, and we were planning on adding a calendar to the app when my trial period ends.”
I couldn’t believe I’d agreed to set up mini dates with mythical beings on an app for a secret community I lived in, in front of a man I had more than a giant crush on. A man who had kissed me and currently had his palm mapping parts of my spine.
Fourteen-year-old me, who couldn’t get a boy other than Matti to look at me twice to save my life, would have shed a tear of joy.
Thirty-two-year-old me, who had feelings for a good man, a great man, the most attractive man I’d ever met, who was also the wrong man, also couldn’t believe it, and it wasn’t in a good way.
“What are you going to do with Duncan?” It was Franklin who brought up the question, even as he continued glaring at the cyclops elder with an expression that was strangely intimidating for his size and age. He was somewhere between average height and a couple inches short of six feet. He had the body of a man who used to be a runner and still maintained his fitness. And then there was his usual business casual clothing.
There was more than met the eye to him, that was for sure.
But that was something to ponder later.
And his question was a very good one, even if it made me even more uncomfortable than Ema’s had. I fought the urge to glance at Henri again. “I have time to think about it, but I guess take him with me if he wants. He needs to like whoever I end up with too.” I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I didn’t like the idea of him meeting every person I met, to be honest.
“He can visit with me,” Franklin offered, that borderline scary glint still in his eye as he shot the cyclops another quick glare. “He and I should spend some time together. He needs to get to know the other members of the community since very few seemed fit to do it in my absence.”
The cyclops and the woman had the decency to look ashamed—not much but some was some. And me? I tried not to react to him calling them out. I was glad I wasn’t the only one annoyed about it.
“I would be willing to watch the child as well,” the woman volunteered.
“I could also spend some time with the pup,” the cyclops said, definitely sounding sheepish.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Henri scowl, but whether that was over the elders being guilt-tripped into being welcoming or not, or the gossip on the ranch, I didn’t know. I elbowed him and tipped my chin up. He just shook his head.
We were back to that, I guess.
He could keep his secrets if he wanted to.
I turned forward. “Thank you for the offers,” I said to them. “I’ll let you know when the time comes.” That was so weird to say. In the grand scheme of the last few months, it wasn’t even in the top five though.
That was something to think about.
What wasn’t was the hard expression that came over Henri’s features before he made his way to the range and started loading up a plate of food, his upper body clearly tense beneath his black, long-sleeved polo shirt.
“Where is Agnes?” Franklin asked out of the blue.
“Sounded like she was in her room when I went by,” Henri answered in a gruffer tone than usual.
It was strange she wasn’t already out here. It had been taking her longer and longer to come to the kitchen the last few days. She had been in her human body a lot more often lately. “Should I get her?” I offered.
“Please,” Franklin replied.
“I’ll be right back then.” I raised my voice. “Duncan, do you want to come with me?”
His “no” came as he trotted over to Henri and—was he leaning against him?
He was.
Good. Heading out of the kitchen, I went straight for her closed door. Even without excellent hearing, I could tell there were sounds coming from inside. “Agnes? Are you all right? Ready for breakfast?”