Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
I blow out a soft breath when she’s gone, hoping I handled that the right way. Without Aunt Elaine nearby, I had to wing it. I’ll make sure to text her later so she knows that the residents are worried. She’ll find a way to reassure them.
“She worries about you,” a voice says softly.
I look up to spot Ryan in the corner of the breakroom. There’s a little alcove that’s easy to overlook if you’re not paying attention.
He’s sipping a soda with a soft expression on his face, the kind that you have when you’re thinking about someone you love. He’s always seemed fond of her, and she appreciates his doting.
“You must think of her like a grandma,” I tell him.
He chuckles, but it’s wrong. It sounds sad instead of filled with mirth. “Do you want to hear a secret?”
“What?” I ask going to the fridge to dig out my own soda. I’m not thirsty. I just want to do something with my hands while he talks.
“She’s my grandma.” His shoulders slump. “She doesn’t know it.”
“What do you mean she doesn’t know it?” I uncap my bottle and frown. Joyce has never once mentioned having grandchildren. She told me that she has no living family, so maybe she doesn’t have a clue about Ryan.
He shrugs. “I grew up in foster care and got bounced around here and there. I finally did one of those DNA tests. Turns out I had a living relative in a place called Courage County.”
“And that’s why you got the job here as the security guard,” I say after setting my soda on the counter.
He nods. “Kind of nice to think I have some family.”
“You should tell her. She’d probably be really excited.” My own heart swells at the thought. If anyone deserves some good news around here, it’s definitely Joyce. She spends so much of her time trying to bring cheer.
“Yeah, but if she’s not…I mean, it’s better this way. At least, I have the idea of family. But if I talk to her and she doesn’t want me—” He swallows rather than finish the sentence.
“She would adore you,” I insist, knowing deep in my gut that it’s true. Joyce would love to have a grandson to spoil.
Bronco comes into the kitchenette and gives me a big grin. He pulls me into his arms without a word and kisses me like he hasn’t seen me in three years. “Missed you,” he murmurs when he finally lets me up for air.
I’m dizzy and blinking away black spots from my vision when I glance toward Ryan.
“I have to get back to my desk. Lazy Jack is supposed to be watching the monitors.” He rolls his eyes at the mention of his nickname for the new hire. We’ve been through three guys named Jack over the last nine months, so Ryan has taken to giving them descriptors to tell them apart.
“If you ever want to talk, I’m here,” I tell him.
“Thanks,” he mutters and tosses his can into the trash bin before leaving the room.
“What was that about?” Bronco asks.
“It’s kind of complicated, but Ryan is a good person. He’s really sweet.”
He grunts.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t worry. There’s only one man who has my attention.”
Menace barks.
“Okay, so two. Two of my best boys,” I say and give him a nuzzle.
I send a quick text to Aunt Elaine that I can’t wait to see her. She’s going to be flying back in tonight, but I’ll be spending the night at Bronco’s. She doesn’t ask me about that, and I don’t ask her how her search for an investor went. I hope she hasn’t signed any paperwork yet.
When we reach the ranch, I follow Bronco into the garage where he keeps the food in a deep freezer. Coming up behind him, I give him a big hug. He instantly stills. “What’s this for?”
“You’ve seemed a little sad today,” I whisper against his flannel. It’s not something easy to explain. It’s only a vague sense I’ve had. It’s the same sadness he seems to get around the anniversary of when we lost Vale, so I think it’s about my brother.
“I was waiting on a text message that never came,” he admits.
I wait for him to continue. He doesn’t, and I don’t press him for details. Instead, I promise him that I’m here for him. That I’ll always be here for him.
He twists around in my arms, the smile he gives me is my new favorite thing. It makes his whole face light up. “Let’s get you fed. You’ll need your strength for what I want to do to you tonight.”
I shiver at his words, already thinking about the night ahead. Is he going to bend me over the edge of the bed and sink deep into my body, the way he kept threatening to last night?