Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
We follow Roman toward the house, and he asks, “What are we considering?”
“The broken pipes.”
Fell right into that trap. “Ah. Right. That.”
That wide smile of his is gentler like it’s just the two of us. “I’m not married.”
I stumble forward when my toe catches a lump in the yard, and his words catch me off balance. Just before I fall on my face, strong arms wrap around my middle, keeping me suspended in the air. Still . . . just floating here . . . “I think I’m good.”
“You sure?”
Laughing, I reply, “I’m sure.” When I land on solid ground again, I look at him. “Thanks for saving me.”
He almost looks shy, like the spotlight is too much for him. Unexpected. Charming. “You’re welcome.”
My heart is racing to a finish line that he’s waiting on like knowing he’s single changes things. Does it? I know I can’t be the only one feeling this connection. Can I?
It’s a beautiful day, with temperatures in the lower eighties. A little hot when stuck in the sun for too long but cool enough in the shade. But standing under his gaze is bright, hot, and making me sweat. I pluck the front of my dress, and say, “We should go in. I need to change.”
“Not one thing.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing.”
Roman’s already waiting on the front porch when we walk up the steps. Grabbing hold of the doorknob, I don’t twist. I turn back and say, “Remember what I said earlier about my sisters?”
He shifts until his feet are planted on the porch as if bracing himself. “Yes.”
“They’re nosy. Not nosier than I am, but as a collective, we’re all pretty nosy, and they will ask you a million questions if they even get a hint of fresh meat.”
“What’s fresh meat?” Roman asks with worry in his tone.
Daniel reaches down to gently squeeze his shoulder. “There’s someone new to talk to. That's all.”
Roman looks up at his dad. “That’s us. We’re the new people?”
“Yes. It means they’ll be interested in learning more about you.”
I open the door. “The bathroom is the first door on the left.” Roman runs in, and as soon as I hear the door close, I catch Daniel’s gaze again. “Just a word of warning about what you might be walking into.”
“A warning, huh?” He peers into the house and then glances back at me. “Should I be nervous?”
I shouldn’t laugh, but I know what he’s walking into. He was a hot topic before he even arrived, so when my sisters and Dolly see him, they'll eat him right up. “We don’t have many guests, so you might be overwhelmed by the attention. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I’m used to an inordinate amount of attention, from women especially, though, guys have been known to crowd them out to get to me.”
My head jerks. “What are we talking about?”
“I don’t get overwhelmed easily is all I’m saying.”
Patting his shoulder, I say, “That’s good because I forgot to mention Dolly.”
The corners of his eyes crinkle, giving me a glimpse into the one thing that apparently strikes fear into the giant of a man. “What’s a Dolly?”
“Who’s here?” a voice from the family room reaches us.
I smile. “That’s a Dolly.” Coming closer to him, I whisper, “My grandmother.” I can only assume he wasn’t prepared to meet my entire family, but here we are. “It will be okay.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
CHAPTER 6
DANIEL
“It’s Summer,” she calls through the house, letting the sound carry to the back of it. “I brought a friend.”
That shouldn’t leave me smiling, but there’s something sweet about this girl. I lower my head, and whisper, “Friends, huh?”
She rolls her pretty eyes and pokes me in the arm. “Be good.”
“Trust me. I’m always good.” I give her a wink.
“Oh my, my,” she mutters under her breath as she leaves me standing in the foyer of this old house. “I tried to warn you. They’re going to make you pay the toll for use of the bathroom.”
“What’s the fee?”
“Your time.”
Roman comes out of the bathroom, and says, “Nice throne.”
“No.” I bend down and whisper, “Manners, please.”
“You taught me that.”
“It’s a guy thing, buddy. Not for the ladies.”
Turning back, she signals behind her. “Come on.”
I take his hand, which wasn’t properly dried, adding something else we need to work on to the list, and head to Summer, who’s waiting for us. Dark wood panels line the walls with an eclectic array of rugs and knick-knacks around. We entered near a small table with a ceramic bowl that looks like something made in elementary school and walked past a dining room with a long wooden table in the front that seats ten, while paralleling a large set of stairs with a floral runner beneath our feet. Summer said it was her sisters and her grandmother here, and by the looks of it, they’ve made the place their own, as evidenced by the pink paint and blue shutters outside. Unique seems to be an understatement when it comes to her and her family.