Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
No. No. No! Stay in there, Levi!
“What were you saying about a time machine?” Janet asked.
Acting as if I had no idea what she meant, I replied, “A time machine?”
“Yes, you said if only there was a time machine?”
I frowned. “Are you sure it was me?”
Janet looked around. Various locals were walking by, and she frowned. “I don’t recall anyone being near you, but it could have been someone else, I suppose.”
“I’d love to stay and chat, but I don’t want to keep you.”
Janet smiled. “I’m just heading into the café to grab lunch.”
“Lunch…”
“Yes, have you eaten yet? You can join me if you’d like.”
“In the café? You’re going into the café? Right now?”
When her brows slowly drew down, I knew I’d made a fatal error by showering her with all my crazy talk.
Shit. Shit. Shit, Emeline. What is wrong with you?
The door to the café opened, and Levi stepped out. He placed his black cowboy hat on his head as he said, “Sorry about that. I got stopped by one of my father’s friends, and let’s just say he was lobbing questions about you and me left and right.”
I shook my head, feeling slightly panicked. He clearly hadn’t even noticed Janet.
“Levi Tucker? Is that you?”
Levi’s head snapped to the left, and I watched as all the color drained from his face. “Mrs. Miller, how nice it is to see you!”
She gave him a quick hug, then looked between us—and boy, did she get right to the point. “Are you two a thing? Is your divorce final?”
“No!” we both said at the same time.
“It was a working lunch,” I added. “Levi’s going to be volunteering at the ranch for our summer camps, and we also discussed his son, Rhett, attending camp.”
Janet completely ignored me as she focused solely on Levi. “I heard about you and Caroline. I’m so sorry.”
How in the hell had she heard about the divorce?
He forced a smile. “No need to be sorry.”
Janet leaned in. “I heard she gave up custody of your little boy. Is that true? Such a shame. I hope that isn’t why you two are divorcing.”
“The reasons are no one’s business,” Levi replied bluntly.
“No, of course not. My heart breaks for you three, and I say a prayer for you every night. I’m sure your little one is looking down on you all, though. I’m also sure your mother and father are so happy to have you home.”
Clearing his throat, he said, “Yes, they are.”
She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “All the girls in town will be clambering to get your attention.” Then she looked at me.
I held up my hands. “Not this girl.”
Janet looked between us. “Well, of course not. Levi is so much older than you, little Emeline. There are plenty of single girls in town who’ll be ready to go when you are, Levi.”
I was two seconds from informing Janet Miller that I was a grown woman when she said, “My granddaughter, Logan, is the vet tech at your father’s clinic. She’s single, and I think she’s close to your age. Have you met her yet?”
My mouth dropped open before I quickly shut it. Was she serious right now?
“No, I haven’t been by the clinic yet, but it’s on my list of things to do this week. I’m sure I’ll meet her then.”
“I think you’re going to just adore her. She was crowned Miss Rodeo two years in a row.”
Levi looked at me and smiled. “You still hold the record of four years winning, then?”
“Five. I won the year after I graduated.” It was childish of me to correct him, but I was irritated and didn’t care at this point.
Janet cleared her throat. “Yes, well, things changed so much after my Logan won. Made it easier for girls to win multiple times.”
My arms folded over my chest. “She won after me,” I corrected. “And isn’t she twenty? That’s not close to Levi’s thirty-two, by any means. I’m closer in age to him than she is.”
Janet waved me off. “Yes, but she acts older than her age, and I didn’t realize you were in your thirties, Levi,” she said as she playfully slapped his arm. “You don’t look a day over twenty-five!”
Levi forced a smile. “Thank you for that, Mrs. Miller.”
“We should probably get to that other meeting,” I said to Levi, with another sugary smile in Janet’s direction.
“Oh, you two are busy with the meetings, then.” Janet winked.
Levi tipped his hat. “It was a pleasure seeing you, Mrs. Miller.”
“Have a good day!”
I watched her enter the café. Levi motioned for me to lead the way, and as soon as we were out of view of the restaurant. I stopped and looked at him.
“She’s going to write about this, you just watch and see! And she’ll say something shitty about me, and how you’re the perfect match for her precious little Logan.”