Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“Arabella, stop! We need to talk!”
“Please just leave!” she told Eli. “I want you to go. You need to do what I want.”
She turned back to stare at him, aware that he looked shocked and like . . . like she’d hurt him.
Shit. She almost took it back but she couldn’t. Because she had to have some time alone.
Even though she knew it was cowardly, she turned and walked back to her bedroom. She likely would have run if it wasn’t for the pain in her back.
There was a knock on her bedroom door about five minutes later and she let out a startled yelp while Horse growled.
“Sorry to bother you,” Duncan called through the door. “Just wanted to let you know that they’re gone. Eli really didn’t want to go but Kellan made him. You should come lock your front door after me. I also wanted to give you my number.”
“Right, coming.” She found her phone on the nightstand. Luckily it had a small bit of battery life left. Opening the door, she let Duncan place his phone against hers to share his number.
Duncan eyed her for a long moment. “I know I shouldn’t interfere, but they are really good men. Give them a chance and they’ll take care of you.”
“You’re right,” she told him. “You probably shouldn’t say that.”
He sighed but nodded. “Eli is worried that you’ll try to put your other furniture together on your own. As soon as I get a chance I’ll come and help you. Just wait for me, all right?”
“I can’t ask you to do that.” Guilt filled her. She was certain he had enough on his plate.
“That’s okay, you’re not asking. I’m telling.” He nodded to her and gestured at Horse. “Glad you’ve got him. Seems like he’d make a good service dog.”
Oh, she hadn’t thought of that but he had helped her through her panic attack earlier.
Along with Kellan.
But you can’t be reliant on him. Or Eli.
“You’re right. He would. Thanks for your help and checking on me.”
Duncan nodded. “Call or text if you need anything. Kellan said you also hurt your back? Do you know where the medical practice is here? And do you need someone to drive you to an appointment?”
“I, um, I’m sure it will be fine. It’s just from sleeping on the floor. I’ll be okay.”
Duncan glanced around. “Just doesn’t make sense that there were no beds. Half the furniture seems to be missing. Mrs Taylor didn’t have any family locally except for her niece. Where could the furniture have gone? Why would she take it anywhere?”
“I don’t know. But it’s okay, I’ve got it handled now.”
“No moving anything. And get that back looked at if it’s not any better by tomorrow. I’ll be checking.”
Sheesh.
Bossiness really ran in the Jones family.
18
“Ifucked up.” Eli shook his head as he sat on the porch at Duncan’s place. Duncan’s neighbors were far enough away that you couldn’t see them. Wherever he looked, it was just rolling hills and trees.
Eli never thought he’d enjoy living in the country again. That he preferred the city. But there was something peaceful about this place.
“You kept telling me to go slow,” he said to Kellan. “I’m the one who sped ahead and kissed her. And then she kicked us out.”
And now they had no idea if she was all right. Although Duncan said he’d gone around earlier today to help her with her furniture and that she seemed fine.
Just shy and quiet.
“We shouldn’t have left her.”
Kellan just shot him a look. All right, maybe he was acting crazy. But she didn’t do a good job of looking after herself. He could do far better! Maybe he’d go see her tonight.
“You’re sure her back was better? She could have been lying to you,” he said to Duncan as he walked out onto the porch. They were waiting for their oldest brothers to arrive.
“Her back was better. I checked in on her and she was moving well. She said she hadn’t even had to take painkillers.”
That was one thing at least.
“Who are we talking about?” Joe asked as he walked out holding a bottle of beer. Shaw was behind him.
“Are you old enough to drink?” Eli asked.
“Yeah, shouldn’t you still be in diapers?” Shaw added.
“Shut up,” Joe said with a scowl. “Don’t try to deflect. What’s going on?”
Before anyone could reply, Remington came out carrying Laken.
“What’s going on?” Duncan demanded. “What happened?”
“Caught her trying to come down the stairs on her own,” Remington said.
“I was fine,” Laken grumbled.
“You carried her down the stairs?” Duncan said.
“Of course not. That would be dangerous. I wouldn’t be able to see my feet. I helped her down, then thought she looked tired so I carried her out here.”
Eli shook his head at Remington. That wasn’t sane.
Then he thought about Arabella walking down steps on her own while pregnant. And it made his blood boil.