Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
A bubble of laughter slipped free. “Yes. I actually do, but I have no idea what the number is. It’s stored in my cell.”
He pulled out his wallet and handed me a business card. I glanced down and saw the ranch’s logo. It was a large black W with a bullhead and horns, as well as a horseshoe, above the W. It read “River Falls Cattle Company,” and included Caden’s name, email, and cell number.
“Call me when you get home so I know you’ve made it okay.”
I nodded. “I will. Thank you again for coming to find me, and for…” My cheeks heated, and I chewed on my lip.
“I’ll never forget our time together, Lili.”
I pushed away the sadness that threatened to overtake me. “Neither will I, Caden.”
Leaning over, I quickly kissed him before leaving his truck. Someone had plowed the entire area, so it made it easy for me to get to my car and get in. I started it and let it warm up for a bit. When I pulled out, Caden followed me all the way to the main entrance. I honked and waved my hand as I pulled onto the road. It had been cleared as well but was still covered in snow.
I was pretty sure by the time I got home, my hands would be aching from how hard I was gripping the steering wheel.
When I finally made it to my little rental, I pulled into the driveway, turned off the car, and just stared at the house. How was it only two days ago that I was stumbling around in a snowstorm before Caden found me? Before we spent two days together in the most intimate way a man and woman could?
Exhaling, I made my way to the front door, making a mental note to have someone come shovel my sidewalk.
Once inside, I paused. “It’s freezing in here!”
I quickly made my way to the thermostat and turned up the heater, only to realize it wasn’t working.
“Great,” I mumbled, as I remembered my landlord’s number was stored in my cell.
Looking around, I searched for the notebook that I’d written down Larry’s information. Larry owned the rental house, and he was a super-nice guy. He would come right away if I called.
When I finally found what I was looking for, I picked up the phone, then remembered I hadn’t called Caden. Pulling out his card, I dialed his cell.
“You home?” Caden asked.
“I am. And I’m sorry to make this so brief, but I’ve got to call my landlord. My heat isn’t working.”
He cursed under his breath. “You should have just stayed here another night.”
Smiling, I pulled a blanket off my sofa and wrapped it around myself. “We had to get back to reality.”
“If I’d known your heater wasn’t working, I would have followed you.”
I laughed softly. “There was no way either of us could have known. I found his number and I’m going to call him now. I’ll head to my store and wait for him to let me know when it’s fixed.”
“You could come back to the ranch.”
Closing my eyes, I drew in a slow, deep breath before answering. “What we shared was beautiful, Caden, but you and I both know it’s better for me if I don’t.”
“I know,” he softly said. “You’ll let me know if you need anything though, right?”
“I will. Thank you again for everything, Caden.”
“Bye, Lili.”
My eyes closed, and I forced myself to sound happy. “See you around.”
I hung up the phone and waited a few moments before calling Larry. He apologized a dozen times and said he’d send someone right away.
I grabbed my keys, made my way back to my car, and headed to my store. Thankfully, they had cleared Main Street, and I could park right in front. I got out and carefully made my way to the door. Once inside, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was toasty warm in my shop.
Looking around, I tried to decide how to pass the time. I ended up taking inventory and jotting down things to order for the Christmas season. A knock on the door about twenty minutes later caused me to glance up in surprise. No one knew I was here except for Larry.
I made my way to the door and saw Ensley. I quickly unlocked the door and opened it.
“Hey, what in the world are you doing out?” I held the door for her while she hurried in.
“Thanks! I had an appointment, and thankfully, River Falls is on top of clearing the roads.”
“You had an appointment today, and you actually went to it in this mess?”
She smiled. “I did. This was a rescue horse, and he really needed a good trimming and re-shoe. Crazy little fellow, though. Kept trying to stick his tongue in my ear. Truthfully, it’s the most action I’ve gotten from a man in a long-ass time. And I’m not gonna lie, I kind of dug it.”