Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Thankfully, the street was well lit so she could see them easily as she turned to find a handsome, kind-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair giving her a concerned look. Beside him stood a woman with thick, dark hair. She was wearing a pair of bright yellow tights with ghosts on them, black lace-up boots, and a black sweater.
“Hey, I’m Kiesha and this is Harry. He’s mine.”
Harry sighed while Blakely blinked in surprise at that statement. Wow, Kiesha just put it straight out there, didn’t she?
“Hello, I’m Blakely. Uh, nice to meet you?”
“You say that like you’re not sure,” Harry said with a smile.
“Why wouldn’t it be nice to meet us?” Kiesha asked. “Ahh, maybe she senses your lawyerness. Hmm, some people don’t like lawyers. Do you not like lawyers?” Kiesha popped one hand onto her hip.
His lawyerness? Was that a word? And why would she have something against lawyers?
“I like lawyers.”
“Well, that’s good.” Kiesha smiled. “So, do you want to come inside with us?”
“I, um, well . . . I was just thinking about going home.”
“Why?” Kiesha asked.
“Where is home?” Harry asked. “Can we give you a ride there? Are you new in town?”
“If she was new in town, I’d know,” Kiesha stated. “I know everything about this town.”
“Kiesha, you don’t know everything about this town,” Harry replied.
“Sure, I do. Everyone tells me all the gossip and if a new gorgeous woman had moved to town, I’d know.”
“Just how much time are you spending gossiping at work?” Harry asked.
“If Ed asks, none. But if I have to tell the truth, a good third.” She turned to Blakely. “Ed’s a pain in my butt. He’s also the sheriff. And he thinks he’s my boss.”
“He is your boss,” Harry said dryly.
“Says who?” Kiesha demanded.
“Your employment contract.”
“Pfft. That’s just a piece of paper. And if I ever need to dispute that, I’ll just get my lawyer onto it. I know a good one.”
“Oh. Yes. I guess you do.” Blakely smiled at Harry.
“Oh, not Harry. Nah, I’m talking about his business partner, Gwen. Total girl boss.”
Harry sighed. “Ed’s right. I don’t spank you enough.”
“Hey! Don’t go taking advice from Ed! He’s a total bore. He always insists that we have to stick to the law. Can you believe that?”
“Um, well, isn’t he the sheriff?” Blakely asked.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean he has a license to be boring.”
Blakely was starting to feel a bit sorry for Ed.
“Don’t worry,” Harry told her kindly. “Ed loves Kiesha like a little sister. And she loves him back.”
“Well, of course I do,” Kiesha said. “Was that in doubt? Now, we gotta go inside because I’ve gotta pee. You shouldn’t have let me have that second soda, Daddy.”
“I didn’t let you have that second soda. I specifically said no,” he said sternly.
Whoa.
Okay.
So Harry was a Daddy? Blakely hadn’t really sensed that until he’d used that stern tone. But now she could see how they worked. Kiesha seemed full of energy and she said what she thought. Harry was more reserved. Thoughtful.
But opposites could attract, and Blakely bet he was the steadiness that Kiesha needed.
“Oh, did you?” Kiesha said innocently. “Come on, Blakely, I’ll introduce you to some people. Although you’re going to have to tell me where you’re from and what you’re doing here.”
“Well, actually, I’m not sure about this. I’ve never done a Daddy Speed-Dating Night.”
Kiesha paused. Then she turned to look at Blakely, then up at Harry. “A what?”
“A uh, Daddy Speed-Dating Night? I’m in the right place, aren’t I?”
“Oh, so you’re a Little?” Kiesha asked. “I knew it. My Little radar went wild, but Harry said that I’m not allowed to ask people that anymore since I apparently got it wrong with this older woman I asked. But I still stand by the fact that she’s a Little. She’s just in denial.”
“Who told you about the Daddy Speed-Dating Night?” Harry asked carefully. “And, Kiesha, she didn’t even seem to know what a Little was.”
“Pfft,” Kiesha said.
“Well, uh, the man I sort of work for,” Blakely said, answering Harry’s question.
“Who’s that?” Kiesha asked.
“Jack Hill.”
“Whoa, you’re working for Jack?” Kiesha asked. “What are you doing for him?”
“Just some housework.” And keeping the older man company, but no one needed to know that part.
“Wow. It’s about time he hired someone. Isn’t Stafford taking care of Maple Grove Ranch now?” Kiesha asked.
“Yes, that’s who hired me.”
“Isn’t he a hunk?” Kiesha said, fanning herself. “Wowee. And if anyone has dormant Daddy energy, it’s him, right?”
“Dormant Daddy energy?” Blakely asked. What did she mean?
“Excuse me? A hunk?” Harry said.
“Oh, not as hunky as you, Harry.” Kiesha patted his chest. “But, you know, he’s up there.”
“Not sure I like the idea of you checking other men out and deciding they’re hunks,” Harry grumbled.
“Don’t worry, I decided he was a hunk way before I met you. I first met him years ago when he was visiting Jack. Haven’t seen him since he moved to Maple Grove Ranch for good, though. He needs to come into The Wishing Well for a drink.”