Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33504 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33504 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
She offered him a small smile. “I don’t think I can eat any more.”
Lord finished off the last of her soup and removed the tray from her legs.
“I’m just going to get some sleep,” she said.
“You do that, baby. I’ll be right here.” Lord pulled up a chair, and he sat down and watched her.
Nothing could happen to her. He refused to believe that anything could happen to his woman. She had to be okay.
****
Astrid opened her eyes and looked over to where Lord was currently sleeping. It had been a rough couple of days, and Lord had been there for her. He wouldn’t leave her side. She knew he handled what was needed on the ranch, but only when she was asleep.
The snow had started to thaw.
Her illness had broken sometime through the night, and as she looked over at him, she knew the worst was now over. They had made it.
He looked absolutely exhausted. And she felt ... good. A little achy, but she felt good.
“You’re awake,” Lord said.
He sounded so sleepy.
“Yeah, I’m just going to the bathroom.”
“I can’t let anything happen to you,” Lord said.
This surprised her and she turned to look at him as he had snuggled against the chair. It was then she realized how tired Lord was.
“What?”
“You’re everything to me,” Lord said. “It’s why I went to the library through the years. I hate reading. But I had to see you.”
He went quiet and she saw he had fallen asleep, and she wanted to ask him what else, but he was silent. Astrid climbed out of the bed, moved close to him, and clenched her hands into fists. She would not wake him, even though that was exactly what she wanted to do, and to ask what he meant.
Over the years, she had watched him come and go from the library. Most of the time, she was the one who served him, but from time to time, one of the other librarians had. She was not going to lie, she did feel a little jealous when they served him. Not that she could stake a claim over him. Lord was not hers.
He is mine.
Astrid grabbed a blanket and rested it over Lord. She didn’t want to wake him, just to move him. He looked so tired, and she made her way into the bathroom. She took one look at herself and groaned. She did not look good. Her hair was thick with grease, and even her skin looked oily.
Taking a quick shower helped her feel much better. She had no choice but to go to her own room, where her blow-dryer was, and took care of her hair. She changed into a pair of sweats, along with a large oversized sweater, and made her way downstairs.
There was nothing out of place. Lord had not lived anywhere else for the past few days but by her bedside, which was really sweet. He had exhausted himself.
She opened the downstairs curtains, and as she did, she saw how clear it was outside. The snow had been melting for a couple of days now. There was still a thin layer of it on the ground. This was the only part of the snow she hated. The moment it started to melt away, and she always found it particularly sad to see it go.
She let out a sigh, and as she turned away, she saw Blake’s truck entering the driveway. Making her way to the front door, she opened it just a little, as Blake climbed out of his truck and made his way toward her.
“You’re okay?” he asked.
She pressed a finger against her lips. “Lord’s sleeping upstairs. He’s completely exhausted.”
“I can imagine. He phoned us and was beside himself with worry,” Blake said, talking in a whisper.
“Is everything okay?” Astrid asked.
“I came as soon as they got the roads clear. I wanted to make sure the two of you were okay. You’re looking good.”
“I feel much better.” She didn’t want to wake Lord, so she urged Blake into the kitchen, where she quickly got the coffeepot on.
She checked the creamer to make sure it was still good and hadn’t spoiled, by giving it a taste. She made herself and Blake a coffee.
“I’ve never seen Lord like that,” Blake said. “You do realize he is completely in love with you?”
Astrid turned to look at Blake, a little taken aback.
“I don’t think that is accurate.”
“Trust me, it is. Lord is ... you’re his everything. You have been for a long time, but I don’t think Lord’s quite understood that.” Blake laughed. “You know he doesn’t like to read.”
She stayed silent as Blake took a sip of his coffee.
“The man can’t stand books. Thinks they’re so fucking boring, and he hates dramas and shit. The first time he ever saw you, you had your nose in a book. He saved you.”