Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Do you mean your very overprotective neighbor?” He skims his nose down mine. “Because that guy is still outside in the driveway, waiting for you to come out and give him a hug. His words, not mine.”
“I should go out there.” I sigh, shaking my head.
“While you do that, I’m going to make us breakfast.” He places a swift kiss against my lips, then lets me go.
Going to the door, I open it slowly, then step outside with my hands up. “Don’t shoot.”
“Such a smart-ass,” Earl mutters, while I hear Tanner inside start to laugh, obviously no longer angry about the whole “getting shot at” business.
“Just being cautious.” I head down the steps, and Earl opens his arms wide.
“You know most people get a fridge magnet or key chain when they go on a trip, not a man,” he says as I wrap my arms around his burly waist and rest the side of my head against his chest.
“Well, those people aren’t going on the right kind of trips.” I tip my head back and grin up at him, watching as he shakes his head.
“It’s good to have you back, kid.”
“Yeah.” I step back when he lets me go. “Do you have dinner plans tonight?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Well, now you do, with Tanner and me.” I motion to the trailer. “We can grill out tonight.”
“Does your new guy eat meat?”
“He does, but I’m still going to make vegetables.” I plant my hands on my hips. “You know you’re worse than a kid when it comes to eating things that are good for you.”
“The point is I’m no longer a kid, which means I get to eat what I like, when I like.” He smiles, causing his beard to shift on his face and the wrinkles around his eyes to stand out even more.
“Fine.” I roll my eyes. “How about between six thirty and seven?”
“I’ll be here.” He pulls his keys out of his pocket. “Let Tanner know I’ll bring a case of beer, since I know you don’t got any.”
“So you two are on a first-name basis now?”
“He’s a military man and protective of you. He has my respect,” he says, and my heart warms, because that means a lot coming from Earl, since he didn’t even like Galvin, and he knew him for years. “See you tonight.” He gets in his truck, and I stand back, waving as he drives off, then head inside, finding Tanner at the stove.
“Earl’s going to come over for dinner tonight.”
“Good, I’d like to pick his brain about some stuff,” he says, flipping over a pancake, and I frown.
“What kind of stuff?” I hop up on the counter next to the stove and pick up my coffee to take a sip.
“Work in the area, that kind of thing.”
“What?” I frown at the side of his head. “Why would you want to know about work when you have a job back home in Montana?”
“I’m selling my portion of Live Life to the guys,” he replies, and my stomach bottoms out while my chest starts to feel funny.
“I don’t understand.” I shake my head. “When did that happen?”
“Yesterday.”
Yesterday? Yesterday, after he left Montana to fly with me to Oregon?
“You told me that you love your job and that Maverick and Blake are your family.”
“Shit changes.” I watch his jaw flex as he shrugs. Seeing that and knowing how Blake felt about Tanner and me getting together, and Tanner now here with me, I can’t help but wonder if this is all my fault.
“Tanner, I—”
“Don’t, Cybil,” he says, cutting me off before I can tell him that he needs to really think about this. “We need to eat breakfast; then you should call Bernard to see if Maisie’s been moved to her room so you can go spend some time with her.”
Chewing the inside of my cheek, I study him for a long moment, trying to figure out what to say, but the waves of frustration or anger coming off him are not making me feel like he’d be open to me saying anything at all. “Okay,” I say, giving in, and he nods once before looking at me and cupping my jaw.
“It will be okay.”
“Sure,” I agree, not believing him but praying he’s right.
Chapter 21
CYBIL
Hand in hand with Tanner, I knock on the door to Maisie’s room and peek my head in, seeing a nurse standing next to her bed, with Bernard asleep, taking up the chair next to it. “Is it all right for us to come in?” I whisper when her eyes meet mine.
“Yep, I just finished up.” She shoots me a smile before taking in the man at my side, getting a look of appreciation on her face that I’ve seen from other women when they come face to face with Tanner. Hell, I’m pretty sure I had that look the first time I saw him in all his glory.