Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“He didn’t make it sound that way when he left your hotel room last night.”
I exhaled a heavy sigh and started walking again. “I drank too much at dinner last night. It was… It was a shock to see you. He helped me back to my room, that’s all.”
We walked for a few minutes in silence.
“I know you won’t believe me, but I am sorry I hurt you, Pip.”
The use of the old nickname made me close my eyes for a second. I pressed my lips together tightly and remained silent.
Colt held the door open for me at the World Market Deli, and I stepped inside. It smelled so good, and my stomach growled.
We both read the menu on the wall, neither of us speaking. I stepped forward and smiled at the young girl behind the counter.
“What can I get for you?”
“I’ll have the Rachel, corned beef on rye, please.”
“Is the Swiss cheese and Russian dressing okay?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
Colt stepped up beside me. “It’s all on the same bill.”
The young girl flashed a wide smile as she gave him a long look. It took everything I had not to roll my eyes. Yes, Colt was handsome, even more so now that he was older. His dark hair was hidden by a baseball cap, but those honey-colored eyes still sparkled.
“I’ll have your pastrami Reuben on rye. Please make that two, as well as your house salad, Italian dressing on the side, please. The other sandwich and salad will be to go.”
“Any drinks?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at Colt. Did she have any idea he was at least ten years older than she was?
He glanced at me, and when I nodded, he said, “Two fountain drinks, please.”
When he pulled out his wallet, I put a hand on his arm. “I can get it.”
“Thank you, but I’ve got it.”
I took the offered cup and headed to get my drink. I spotted a table in the back corner and almost grabbed it. Instead, I walked to a two-seater right in the middle of the restaurant.
Colt saw where I was sitting and motioned to the table in the back. “Might offer a bit more privacy.”
“Why do we need privacy to talk business?”
He stared at me with a frustrated expression before finally giving up and sitting down.
“I already asked Gatlin to contact your father’s clients and let them know about his heart attack. I was going to move them over to my schedule, just until your father was back on his feet, but now you can reschedule them all.”
“Thank Gatlin for me.”
I nodded.
“Dad said he has about twenty people on his client list, does that sound about right?”
Shrugging, I replied, “I don’t have the numbers on hand. I’d say around twenty-five. Most of them are horses he’s done since the beginning. They weren’t willing to let me take over because I’m a woman and all that bullshit.”
Colt shook his head. “They don’t know what they’re missing. From what I can remember, you were damn good at your job. Are you still doing cold shoeing?”
“Yes.”
“Me, too. I can’t stand how I smell if I do it with heat. Smells like horse shit.”
I felt my mouth twitch with a smile, but fought it.
“I’m not really sure what your mother thinks I can do to help you. You worked for your father before, and literally nothing has changed. His office is exactly the same. He still does everything on paper, even his billing system. You might want to upgrade that to something digital and easier.”
A young gentleman brought us our sandwiches. “I’ll hold off on the other two until I see you’re about done, then we’ll get them made.”
Colt flashed him that brilliant smile of his. “Thank you so much. I appreciate that.”
I figured we would eat in silence, but Colt wasn’t having it.
“Do you just service River Falls?”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “No. I have clients all around the area. I also take care of all of our horses on the ranch.”
“Figured you did. How is everyone? Have Caden and Rachel gotten married and popped out a few kids?”
I looked at him in surprise. “Have your mom and dad not told you anything?”
He shook his head. “Not about the Wildes. I guess it was an unspoken thing. I didn’t ask, and they didn’t tell.”
I leaned back and wiped the corners of my mouth. “A few years ago, Caden asked Rachel to marry him and she said no. Turns out she was a bigger bitch than I had originally thought.”
He screwed up his face. “I never did like her.”
“Yes, I know. You were spot on. Anyway, Caden is now happily married to Lilibeth. As of just days ago, in fact. She owns a store on Main Street in River Falls. They had a baby not that long ago, too, a couple months. Also, Emeline is married to Levi, and they have a new baby, as well.”