Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
When Easton rises to his feet and moves out from behind the pillar, Trent’s eyes snap to him, but then shock registers on his face, and he comes to a sudden halt.
I hear footsteps and notice Ryan and Noah coming out of the house. They keep a cautious eye on Trent, who seems to be rethinking things.
Not sure I can stand because my legs are a little numb, I remain seated as I say, “Leave, Trent.”
Easton instantly growls, “So you’re the bastard who likes to beat women?”
“Hey, now. I don’t know what she’s told you, but I never laid a finger on her,” Trent says, holding up his hands in front of him.
“Leave this to me, guys,” Easton tells the guards as he grips hold of the railing around the porch, jumping over it with ease. When he walks toward Trent, his tone is threatening as he asks, “Are you calling my girlfriend a liar?”
I dart to my feet and rush down the stairs, grabbing hold of Easton’s arm. “He’s not worth it.”
Easton pulls free from me and gently pushes me a few steps back, then he swings around, and his fist connects with Trent’s face.
My ex staggers backward before falling flat on his butt, blood gushing from his nose.
I gasp and dart forward, grabbing hold of Easton again. “Don’t. Please!”
This is so, so very bad. What if it’s leaked to the press? What if Trent opens an assault case against Easton?
God.
Easton
The fucker deserved it. I’ll face whatever backlash I have to, but there was no way I was letting the opportunity pass me by.
“Trent Crawford,” Maggie snaps from the front door. “Are you causing trouble again?”
“He hit me,” Trent shouts as he climbs to his feet. “You broke my fucking nose. I’m going to sue you.”
“All I saw was you causing trouble,” Maggie says. “I called the sheriff.”
Sylvia is going to lose her shit.
But it was worth it, and I’d do it again.
Not even a minute later, the patrol car stops in front of the house, and when Deputy Stone climbs out, I lean into Nova and say, “If I’m arrested, call Sylvia.”
“Oh God,” she whimpers.
“Crawford, I’m so goddamn tired of your shit,” the deputy grumbles. “What did the troublemaker do, Maggie?”
“He just came up to Nova and Mr. Rowe and started yelling obscenities.” Maggie comes closer, then she lies through her teeth as she adds, “I think he took drugs. He got himself beaten up somewhere, and now he’s messing blood all over my cobblestones. I’m never going to get the stains out.”
I think I love Maggie. Fuck, she’s saving my ass right now.
“A night in the cell will do you good,” Deputy Stone says while he puts handcuffs on Trent.
“I didn’t do shit,” Trent yells. “He hit me. You’re arresting the wrong man!”
We all stand and watch as Trent is shoved into the back of the patrol car, then Deputy Stone says, “Sorry for the disturbance, folks. You all have a good night.”
When he slides in behind the steering wheel and drives away, I turn to look at Maggie. “Thank you.”
She shrugs. “That boy deserved the punch you gave him. He’s never been anything but trouble.”
Nova looks a little shell-shocked as she says, “Thank you, Maggie. God, I was so worried.”
“Let’s go inside and have some lemonade.”
When we head into the house, I stop in the foyer and say, “Do you have a permanent marker, Maggie?”
“Yes.” She hurries to the desk and digs in a drawer. “Somewhere in here. Where’s that dang marker?” She packs everything out of the drawer before finally finding it. “Here it is.”
I take the marker from her and check that it hasn’t dried out before I walk in behind the desk and write on the wall.
Loved staying at Sugar River Inn. Easton Rowe.
I scribble my signature and add today’s date before asking, “Do you want to take a photo, then you can add it to the wall?”
“Oh yes! That would be great.”
She pulls out her phone, and letting go of my rule not to touch women, I place my arm around her shoulders and smile. She snaps a few photos, and I even press a kiss on her cheek before moving away from her.
“I’m framing them all,” she says, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Gosh, who would’ve thought I’d get to meet you today? I’ll never forget it.”
I’ll have Sylvia tell the press I stayed here so Maggie can get some publicity for her business.
Tyler comes walking into the foyer with bags in his arms. “Food’s here.”
“Come. You can sit in the dining room. I’ll bring the lemonade,” Maggie says, her face lit up with happiness.
It’s times like this, when I get to make someone genuinely happy, that I love what I do.
I wait for Nova to sit down before I take a seat beside her. Tyler unpacks all the burgers and fries, and soon, we’re all stuffing our faces.