Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
“I think I missed it if you did.” I quirk a silly grin at him. “Tell me again.”
“Hey, Summer,” a familiar voice cuts through the conversation from behind us.
I turn to the side to see the face that matches that voice. “Hey, Brandon. How’s your mom?”
He stops and looks back. “She’s doing well. I’ll let her know you said hi.”
“You do that. Take care.”
When I settle back onto the bench with Daniel next to me, I glance over at him. His eyes are still stuck on Brandon, though. “Friend of yours?”
Dropping my head in hopes of pulling his attention back to me, I ask, “Do I detect a note of jealousy?” It’s not so blatant but fun to call out.
“Just curious,” he says, his eyes still tracking Brandon as he walks away. “I was under the impression this town was retirees and—”
“And not hot firemen?” He leaves me no choice but to tease when he wants to ignore the question.
“He’s a fireman?” He’s definitely jealous.
Generally, I’ve noticed that Daniel is pretty laid back, so it’s cute to see him get a little wound up. Makes me want to see how he is on the ice if he’s being told to soften his image. “And a paramedic. Our town is lucky to have him.”
Standing up, he tugs the bill of his hat down his forehead and pulls his sunglasses from where they’re hooked on the neck of his shirt. “Did I mention I’m a professional hockey player?”
“Not at first.” I stand, turning around to lean on the railing to face him.
“MVP seven times in my career,” he states like he’s on a mission to prove himself. Men. I grin and let him. “I know you’re not into hockey, but that’s the second all-time record.”
Should I? Probably not. But I can’t resist, so I ask, “Who holds the top spot?”
Annoyance gets the better of him, and he huffs. “Wayne Gretzky.”
I toss out a casual shrug. “Did either of you ever rescue a kitten from a tree?” I bat my eyelashes before Roman runs up the steps to join us again.
Daniel sweeps in front of me, picking Roman up. “How were the ducks?”
“Hungry. Can we bring food next time?”
“Sure. You ready to go?”
“Yep.”
Holding Roman’s hand, they’re about to pass me when Daniel stops, and says, “I don’t know about Wayne, but I have the key to the city of Philadelphia after saving a woman from a car that caught fire outside the arena.”
“Brandon doesn’t stand a chance against you, Sutton.” Pressing my hand to his chest, I smile to myself, happy as a clam. “And just for the record, you never had anything to worry about. Brandon Culver has been in love with my sister Fall since they were in middle school.” I pat him and then drop my hand to tuck into my pocket. “And he’s not my type.”
Roman slips from his hand and runs to the car while we keep a steady pace together. “And what is your type exactly?”
“Tall and ridiculously handsome hockey players that are too generous for their own good and have a wild jealous streak when it comes to local firemen slash paramedics talking to their summer landlord.” Feeling quite smug for coming up with that one, I grin up at him in challenge.
“Wow, what a coincidence.” His knuckles brush against the top of my hand, the electricity still present in the lightest of shared touches. “I happen to know a guy who fits that criteria.”
“Oh really?”
“Really.” When I stop on the driver’s side, he keeps walking around the car and opens the door. Looking back at me, he chuckles. “Guess it’s your lucky day.”
He gets in the car, leaning over the seat to check on his son, and leaves me on the sidewalk trying to catch the breath he stole right from my chest.
How is this my life? Surely, I’m dreaming, and if I am, I never want to wake up. “Lucky me, indeed.”
CHAPTER 18
SUMMER
“Mrs. Dover . . .” I take a quick breath to temper the panic in my voice and keep the words from rushing out of my mouth. Each cold drop of condensation rolling off the bottom of the glass of lemonade is a shock to the system when it lands on my bare leg. I shift to have it drip over the grass. “I understand the hassle. It’s a hurdle I’m ready to overcome. As I’ve said, you won’t have to do anything other than reconsider selling it out from under me.”
Taking a slow sip of her lemonade, she rests an arm on the fence. Her eyes haven’t left the field or Bessie grazing on the hill in the distance, giving me the distinct impression she’s not looking at me on purpose. It’s disconcerting to plead a case to someone who shows no interest. This is going south so fast that it causes my heart to sink. I came here feeling ready to take on the world, strong in my intentions and purpose after rehearsing what I needed to say. Now, my confidence is slipping away just like this opportunity is. Again.