Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“At our place, we have a pretty decent view of a ridge that Kitt and I have camped on. It’s a beautiful view, especially at dusk.”
The ride was rocky at best. Austin darted between the streets, over the gravel, and through a couple of dicey looking water spots with more confidence in his driving ability than I had.
After a turn, then another, a small housing community popped up. I’d only seen those from the hill overlooking the studio community. A couple of dozen small homes, the bar and restaurant Austin mentioned, and about a dozen oversized pickup trucks were sprinkled around. My Jeep was conveniently parked in front of the bar.
“Kitt’s stepmother, Lily, and one sister—Kylie, the vet you met—live in the main house about a quarter mile away, closer to the main road. It’s where Kitt grew up.” He nodded in what I assumed was the direction of their home, then he pointed in the other direction, shifting my attention that way. I caught view of a nice size home in the distance. “That’s our place. Lily handles meals for the hands. We have craft services for the studio. The restaurant on the studio grounds serves a wide variety of food. I landed Chef Grant. Do you know him?”
I shook my head no. “He came this far out?” I asked.
“Chef lives on the property. You’d be surprised at how many people yearn for a simpler life. He was one of them.” Austin gave me a wink as he turned hard into the parking space next to my Jeep. The guy was a terrible driver.
“The main road’s pretty close.” Austin pointed in a different direction again. “My foreman, Mike, married Kylie. He lives in the main house with her and Lily.”
“Your foreman? Does that mean you have two foremen?”
“Yeah, with different titles. We have a lot going on around here. Kitt handles the entire property except for the land the studio is on. Both foremen work directly under him these days. Mike’s better with the animals. Kitt’s newest foreman handles the crops. He’s planted corn, wheat, and cotton. He’s added watermelons, pumpkins, and a pecan grove. It’s already turning a profit so that’s something.” He cut the engine and jumped from the vehicle, hightailing it into the building labeled Grant Bar/Café, reminding me of the simple sign above Mace’s liquor store entrance. The country living was strong with these people. “Come on,” Austin said, pulling open the front door. “They’re already here.”
He disappeared inside as I got to my feet, wanting to drop to the ground and kiss it for allowing us to make it there in one piece.
Music played from the bar. A fast beat country-and-western tune that Mace listened to regularly. Austin gave the door his back, facing me again, spreading his arms wide. Mace stood a few steps behind him. “You have to come inside to eat and see Kitt dance. My husband should be on Dancing with the Stars. He’d take the whole thing.”
The happy grin Mace gave was everything right in my world. I started his direction.
I smirked as I sidestepped Austin to get inside. “You still whipped?”
“So whipped,” Austin said good naturedly. “I was really into Kitt from the jump, but once we began workin’ together, building this life… He’ll never shake me loose. He’s my foundation.”
Mace took a step back, allowing us through the doorframe. His gaze searched mine. He was different here. Happy. Maybe motivated too.
“How was your day?” he asked. The twinkle in his eyes said his day was great and wanted mine to be too.
“Really good. I might sign contracts while I’m here.”
Mace’s handsome face lit with excitement.
“How was your day?” I reached out, taking his hand into mine. More than anything else that happened, I saw a way for us to be together for the long haul. My joy was real.
“Good. I’ll tell you later, but it was really good. I’m glad I came.”
A sudden piercing whistle drew every eye in the place to Austin.
He waved us his direction to the seat opposite where he and Kitt sat in an oversized booth. A large digital jukebox took up the corner directly across from them. It was the source of the happy tune. Other men and a few women were scattered about the restaurant and bar, paying us no real attention.
What a shockingly great atmosphere. Privacy sweetened the deal.
“We serve burgers, both beef and vegetarian, chicken fried steak that’s so good it has to be artery clogging, fried chicken, T-bone steaks, and a signature lobster fried rice that might be the best food I’ve ever eaten. The rest of the chef’s daily specials are on the chalkboard on the bar. In my effort in tryin’ to sway you my direction, your meals are free this evenin’.” Austin winked, settling back against the booth, patting his belly. “Also, a couple of pretty good cobblers. Greasy, bad for you food.”