Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
The poor thing has no idea what she’s just walked in to, but I can’t help wondering if, when all is said and done, she may actually end up liking it.
7
CHANCE
Boone’s voice is calm and matter of fact when he tells her she has to come with us. But the second the words leave his mouth, I see it.
Yeah. She’s definitely scared of something.
I step forward, moving slow enough not to spook her, and hold out a hand. “I’m Chance. That’s Boone and this one here is Dillon. We’d never have barged in like this if we hadn’t thought the place was on fire.”
Her lips twitch, and a spark of defiance flares under all that soot. “Well, it kind of was, so thanks for the rescue.”
Dillon chuckles. “You’re welcome, darlin’.”
The comment gets the barest hint of a smile out of her, but it’s still progress.
“Your chimney is completely blocked. It could be nests or maybe worse, but whatever it is, it’ll need a full, proper cleaning before you can use it again. That’s why you’ll need to stay with us tonight. Or, if you’d rather, there’s a motel in town,” Boone tells her.
Her smile vanishes. Just like that. Her shoulders stiffen and her eyes dart around like a cornered animal. Something about going back to town hit a nerve.
Whatever she’s running from that brought her out here, isn’t done chasing her.
“Town’s probably not what you want tonight,” I say before Boone can make the offer sound like an ultimatum. “It’s getting late and cold fast, and half the places close early this time of year.”
I catch her gaze and hold it, trying to be steady and calm. “Come stay with us for now. Until you can get it sorted out. At least for tonight. We’ve got plenty of room and Boone’s cooking. You won’t get food like that at the motel. Guaranteed.”
Her mouth opens, ready to protest, but Dillon beats her to it.
“We’ve got hot showers, and Boone even lets us use the nice towels sometimes. It’s practically luxury out here in the sticks.”
A soft, barely there snort escapes her, with the faintest roll of her eyes. The tension in her shoulders loosens just a fraction, though. Dillon grins like he’s won a round.
“Fine. I’m Roxie, by the way,” she says, glancing at me again, as if she’s still trying to decide whether I’m the kind of man she can trust. “It’s just for the night.”
“That’s all we’re offering,” I say quietly. “Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
We help her with the duffel bag lying by the door, Dillon grabbing it before she can argue and carrying it to the truck. Boone and I also help her straighten up a bit, sweeping out the worst of the soot, wiping down the countertops, and rinsing off the meager provisions she’d arranged around the kitchen. Then we load up her stuff and pile into the truck.
By the time we reach the house, the porch lights and the automated lights inside have already come on, and the place glows like a modern beacon against the jagged, mountain landscape. She stops short after climbing out of the truck, her gaze glued to the sprawling glass-and-steel structure we call home.
“This is not what I expected,” she murmurs, taking in the broad frame, the big wraparound porch, and the stone cladding in places to blend the corners into the mountainside.
“Not bad for three bachelors, huh?” Dillon asks, winking as he holds the door for her.
She doesn’t comment, simply nodding as she finally ascends the stairs to the front door and sweeps past him. I follow her in, supremely aware of how she suddenly seems even smaller once she’s inside.
Her oversized hoodie swallows her up, soot still streaking her cheek, and her rich brown hair gleams oddly now that she’s standing directly under a light, like it’d been dyed recently, but I don’t ask.
Boone pauses across the room, glancing at her from the hallway that leads to the kitchen. “You can take the guestroom upstairs. Second floor. There’s a bathroom down the hall with clean towels in the closet.”
She hesitates, biting her lip before she draws a deep breath and nods. “Thanks. I, um… I appreciate it.”
“Do you want me to show you where to go?” I offer.
She glances at me, those intensely green eyes holding mine for a few beats longer than necessary before her gaze drifts around the spacious living area to the stairs. As if she realizes it would be easier if I show her than trying to navigate this place herself, she finally nods.
“Thank you,” she says, watching Dillon hand me the duffel.
I motion for her to go ahead of me up the stairs, hiking the bag up on my shoulder and then following after. “The guestroom is the second door to the left.”
She stops at the second door and waits for me to catch up.