Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Close your eyes, sweetheart,” he instructed and leaned over to scoop her over his shoulder.
Essie didn’t have the energy to protest. Besides, her view was spectacular when she peeked. She patted his firm butt.
“Have you had any water today?”
“Too busy. I didn’t want to have to stop and pee.”
Zander stopped in the foyer and called out, “Sara, I’m driving Essie to my house to cool down.”
The housekeeper appeared quickly. “Good idea. The tech promises to have the part installed in an hour. The mansion will take a while to lower in temperature.”
“No cooking tonight, Sara. If you need a room, I have plenty. Drive on over.”
“I’ll be fine. My old bones like the heat,” Sara said. “Take care of Essie.”
“I will. I’ll bring her back tomorrow.”
Essie didn’t protest. She didn’t feel well. The thought of getting cool sounded incredible.
Walking out of Ferguson’s Folly, Zander juggled her a bit as he reached into his pocket to grab his truck keys. She heard the truck start several feet away and whispered, “Magic.”
“Remote start. I’ll get the air blasting for you.”
Soon, Zander had her buckled in a seat with a cold open bottle of water in her hand. He circled the hood and climbed in next to her. “Drink, Little girl.”
She nodded and raised the container to her lips. A sigh escaped her after swallowing. “That’s good.”
“More, Essie. I’m surprised you’re sweating after not drinking all day.”
“I’m a sweater. Well, not like a Nordic pullover or anything like that. I sweat a lot.”
“Good to know.”
“That doesn’t make me sound appealing, does it?” Essie wanted to care, but she was so tired.
“Everyone sweats, Little girl. When they don’t, they have a big problem.”
He didn’t sound too unhappy with her. “Am I still getting a spanking?”
“Yes. But after you recover. Thank goodness Marmalade ran across the road. I was on my way to town. He acted so weird, I trailed after him.”
“Edmund sent him. I wouldn’t follow his directions either. He said he was going to tell you. I reminded him that you couldn’t hear him. He didn’t like that.” Essie guessed she was rambling but couldn’t stop talking.
“Drink, Essie.”
Obediently, she swallowed more of the cold water. The liquid tasted amazing. She could tell from his expression that Zander doubted that a ghost had gotten a message to him. Quickly, she changed the subject. “How long has your house been livable?”
“About a week. Are you tired of me?”
“No!” she blurted quickly. “Well, not if you’re happy staying with me.”
“I am. A Daddy’s place is with his Little girl.” Zander stopped in front of his home. “Don’t move. I’ll come get you.”
“I can walk.”
“Of course you can.”
Zander rounded the hood once again and opened the door. “Come here, Little girl.” He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the entrance. A tall man welcomed them.
“Is that Miss Essie?”
Zander answered for her. “It is, Miller. The air-conditioning at Ferguson’s Folly is broken. Essie’s overheated. We’ll stay here tonight to let the house cool when the tech finishes. Could you call for a pizza in a couple of hours?”
“You can count on me, sir. I’m glad to see you again, Miss Essie. Feel better.”
“Thank you.”
She waited for Zander to move down the hallway before asking, “Have I met him before?”
“Yes. His dad worked in the stables here for years. Miller visited here often when we were kids. You hit him with a water balloon once when you were aiming for me.”
“I remember that now. I’ve always had a terrible throwing arm. If I remember, he didn’t get mad. He swiped a few water balloons and joined the epic battle.”
“He did.” Zander chuckled as he walked into a bedroom. He closed the door with his elbow and carried her into the large bathroom. “Bath time for you, Little girl. I want to get your temperature down.”
“Ooo! A cool bath sounds amazing.”
Zander sat her on the edge of the tub and leaned in to turn on the water. When the faucet gushed with cold liquid, he turned his attention to her. “Out of those clothes, Essie.”
“I can get undressed,” she protested when he lifted the hem of her shirt.
“Daddy’s in charge.”
She nodded and allowed him to help her. Every ounce of her energy had evaporated. Zander would take care of her. She smiled to herself.
“What are you thinking about, Little girl?”
“How lucky I am to have you.”
“I feel exactly the same.” Zander kissed her tenderly before adding, “In the tub, sweetheart.”
She dipped one foot into the water and shrieked. “That’s not chilled. That’s like an ice bath!”
“The water isn’t that cold, Essie.”
Shaking her head, Essie crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t getting into that frigid pool. “No way!”
Zander relented and added a bit of warm water to the tub. He leaned over and swirled the water around to mix the two temperatures. This time when Essie stepped in, she allowed him to help her settle in the tub. Zander lowered himself to kneel on the bathroom floor to bathe her.