Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
"Oh, look," Clover says, lifting a hand from the steering wheel to point one perfectly manicured finger at the cluster of buildings looming into view up ahead. "That's the resort."
"Oh, wow," I whisper, leaning forward to get a better look. The lodge sits off to the side of a dozen small cabins, rising up from the sheer cliff-side like the massive trees that surround it. It's so beautiful. Just looking at it has my heart rate slowing as a sense of serenity washes over me.
"It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be," Clover says.
"I know, right?" I say, a little relieved. Part of me was slightly worried we'd end up roughing it in the woods for a week…and no thank you. The outdoors and I don't get along very well. They try to kill me. I try to avoid them. But this place screams outdoors-adjacent serenity. I can handle that.
"I'm so excited to see everyone!"
"Me too!" I smile. Aside from me and Clover, Zoey Hart, Mina Chance, Paige Turner, and Emerald Lee—Emmy—are all going to be here for the week. It's been a year since most of us were last in the same room together. Having your best friends scattered around the country sucks. We chat online or on the phone a lot, but it's not the same as getting time face-to-face.
Our retreats are always a blast. We spend more time laughing and drinking than working, but the new memories are more than worth the hangovers and lack of productivity. Something about spending time with the girls is just good for the soul. It's rejuvenating.
"Holy crap!" Clover cries, slamming on the brakes. The tires squeal, the car fishtailing wildly as a massive red bull steps out onto the road ahead of us. He doesn't even look startled to see us. He just stops right there, the front half of his massive body in the lane, and turns two black eyes on us.
I cling to the oh-shit handle, certain this is it. This is how I die.
The car jerks to a stop, throwing me forward. The seatbelt locks into place, slamming me backward. I land against the seatback with a grunt as the exact same thing happens to Clover in the seat next to me. Complete silence fills the car.
The bull stares at us, unflinching.
"Whoa," Clover whispers a moment later when the biggest man I've ever seen in person steps out of the underbrush into the roadway. Two green eyes sweep over the car, pinning the two of us in a stare. His beard hides most of the scars on his face, but not all of them. For some reason, he reminds me of Cord, but I can't put my finger on exactly why. I think it might be his size. He's freaking massive like that infuriating cowboy.
This giant makes a quick assessment of the situation and then mutters something to the bull. The bull chuffs and then stamps one massive hoof. The giant doesn't seem particularly worried by the display, but my stomach churns with nerves for him. Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure even Goliath could have been felled by horns that size.
The giant says something to the bull and then points back the way they came. The bull chuffs again. Clover and I both gape in shock when he reluctantly turns and heads back into the underbrush without further protest.
The giant gives us a quick salute and then ducks back into the trees after him.
"I'm so glad I suggested this place," I whisper to Clover, my eyes wide. There are actual mountain men here. How cool is that?!
"Uh-huh," she whispers back.
We share a look and then giggle.
"Why did you suggest this place anyway?" she asks, slowly letting her foot off the brake to resume the journey to the resort. This time, she drives a little slower. Thank God. I'm going to be so mad if I die before we even get to the resort. "You hate the outdoors."
"Um…" I squirm, not sure I'm ready to confess my secret.
"Spill it, Cassia Murphy," Clover orders me, eyes narrowed.
"Remember that cowboy who keeps emailing me to complain about my books?" I ask and then wait for her to nod. Of course I told the girls all about Cord. "Well, he lives here."
"You came to see him?" Her mouth pops open in shock.
"Not exactly," I squeak. He keeps suggesting that I come see what he does, but I've been ignoring his emails for the last few weeks. "Um, but maybe I came to spy on him?"
"You came to spy on him?"
"He said I didn't know anything about real cowboys," I mutter defensively.
Clover glances from the road to me, then back to the road, and then to me. "Oh, Cassia," she finally says with a soft laugh. "You've got it bad, girl."