Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
“You don’t betray confidences. That is important to me. If I share my background, I wouldn’t want my woman confiding in anyone else, not even her friends. You wouldn’t do that,” he said with every confidence.
“Raine is beautiful and loyal and definitely would never betray a confidence,” she pointed out, determined not to let him make her a believer.
Misha dashed ahead as they took the path behind her studio toward the border of her property.
“Raine isn’t you. And I don’t poach on a brother’s territory. I prize loyalty, Harlow, so I would never be disloyal.”
She supposed that made sense. The truth was, she couldn’t help the warmth spreading through her at his very adamant statement that Raine wasn’t her. She loved Raine and thought she was beautiful and intelligent. She was loyal and absolutely would never betray a confidence. She was also very lost. Harlow was protective of her. Still, it felt good that Wilder chose her because, truthfully, Harlow had never really looked at anyone else.
“What do you mean you won’t poach on a brother’s territory?”
He tightened his grip around her hand and sent her a small grin. “Do you think I’d make a play for Stella, Vienna or Shabina?”
“No one in their right mind would make a play for any of those girls.”
The smile faded from his face, leaving those strong, chiseled lines. “We have a brotherhood. I only have a very small circle of friends, Harlow, and they mean the world to me. I wouldn’t ever do anything to hurt them. That includes going after their woman.”
“I understand because I feel the same way when it comes to my circle of friends. They’re family to me,” she agreed. “I have never understood when a sister sleeps with her sibling’s boyfriend. It seems such a terrible betrayal.”
She indicated the fence line they were approaching, hoping to move on to lighter topics. “This is the border of my property. My neighbor Helen McKay has a little mini ranch. She’s obsessed with animals.”
Chapter Six
“Helen has goats and these little donkeys that are so cute,” Harlow said as they walked slowly along the fence line. She matched her pace to Wilder’s, aware he was still weak. He didn’t seem to realize it, but she knew from her years of nursing that patients didn’t recover as quickly as they expected from surgery. The will was there, but human bodies weren’t made to take the shock of multiple stab wounds or bullets no matter how fit the person was.
She tugged at her hand. She didn’t hold hands with men. She just plain didn’t hold hands. She wasn’t certain why she put her hand in his and walked close to him. Instead of relinquishing his hold, Wilder tightened his fingers around hers, curled her wrist, and brought her hand to his chest as they strolled along the fence line.
She didn’t want Wilder to walk too far. The outdoor terrain was uneven. There was a trail but no pavement. Grass and small rocks covered the ground. Ground squirrels made holes in the soil. Not just ground squirrels, but quite a few other animals. It would be easy for him to step into a hole and hurt himself.
“You were telling me about your neighbor,” he prompted.
She sent him a small, genuinely amused smile. “You’re reading my mind again and want me to forget all about your safety.”
He gave an exaggerated groan. “Woman, I’m trying to impress you. The last thing I want is for you to think I’m going to fall on my face.”
“How is it you know what I’m thinking all the time? You claim it’s because I don’t have a poker face, but I’m beginning to think you really can read thoughts.”
“If only I could read your mind. I think I’d discover how you really feel about me.”
That mischievous note in his voice was disarming. Wilder wasn’t the kind of man to play or tease. There was a large part of her that loved the idea that Wilder felt comfortable enough to joke with her. In her life, no one, especially not her parents, had ever made her feel special. She had every advantage, but those advantages came with a steep price tag. Feeling important or heard or even seen wasn’t part of those rewards. Despite every reluctance, every objection, she was beginning to believe in Hawkin Wilder. That was very, very scary to her.
“Just because I’m attracted to you, Wilder, doesn’t mean we’d be good together,” she cautioned. “Eventually, that rush leaves and you’re left with the question of compatibility.” She did her best to sound wise and casual. It took effort to keep her voice from trembling.
“I just explained to you why we’re compatible.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and brushed a soft kiss along her knuckles. “I think friendship is a solid foundation for a long-term relationship. We’ll just keep working on that until you admit I’m the man destined to be with you.”