Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Roaming around the house, Saylor closed the blinds and made sure the doors were locked. She couldn’t bring herself to turn out the light in the family room. Perhaps her daddy would come home early again. She didn’t want him to walk into a dark house.
After showering, she pulled on Max’s T-shirt that she slept in. Well, that she had gotten used to wearing to bed. When she felt good, that shirt ended up on the floor quickly. She’d hoped to convince him to make love to her tonight.
The bottle of antibiotics sat on the nightstand. Saylor shook one out into her hand. The suppository looked huge in her palm. Could she get it placed in her bottom? Coating her finger with lubricant, she did her best. Her daddy sure made that look a lot easier. A lot more enjoyable, too.
Washing her hands, Saylor headed into the bedroom and climbed up on the mattress. The sheets were cool, making her shiver. Missing Max, she scooted over to stretch out in his spot and buried her face in his pillow. She pulled her stuffed octopus into her arms and kissed his cheerful face.
“I’m sure glad you’re here, Tapper. I wish you could tell me a night-night story.”
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Saylor rolled over to her side to grab it. Her daddy had sent her a voicemail.
“I love you, baby. Be good. Take your medicine. I’ll miss you.”
Saylor didn’t answer, figuring he wouldn’t be able to access it. She listened to his message a dozen times before replacing her phone on the charger.
“Night, Daddy. Come home safely.”
CHAPTER 15
Days crept past. The Littles had enjoyed one weekend sleepover and had met last night for nachos and margaritas. While she enjoyed getting together, Saylor’s thoughts focused on Max. How could she miss someone so much? In a short time, he’d weaved himself into her heart.
Today after teaching her morning class, she’d spent the afternoon at her condo, gathering a few things and cleaning the dust from all the surfaces. She’d already trashed all the fresh food in her refrigerator, but she had some favorite snacks in the cabinets. Packing those in a bag, she’d loaded her car with some additional clothing. Max had already cleaned out some drawers for her things.
They hadn’t talked about her moving in permanently, but Saylor knew Max would welcome her presence. He was the first man she’d ever met that wanted to spend all his free time with her. Sure, they did things with friends too, but together. He didn’t want to play video games online all night. Max focused completely on her.
When she arrived back at his house, a man pushed a lawnmower across the yard. When Saylor waved, he stopped and headed over to talk to her.
“Hi, ma’am. I’m Joe. I live over there.” He pointed to a tidy house two down from Max’s. “Three of us swap lawn care when we’re deployed. What’s your name?”
“Hi, Joe. I’m Saylor. I’m Max’s…” she hesitated a moment before finishing with, “girlfriend.”
“Hi, Saylor. Max said you’d be here.”
“Did you hear from him?” she asked eagerly.
“He’d updated the group a couple of weeks ago. If you get lonely, my wife Susie is at home with our three kids most days. Stop and have a cookie with the mob.”
“Thank you, Joe. I’m lucky that I have work and Max’s team’s girlfriends to keep me busy.”
“That team is super tight. I’m glad you’ve got support. Susie struggles when I’m gone. Three kids keep her distracted, thank goodness, but she’s always ready for adult conversation.” Joe said those last two words like they were in quote marks. Obviously, Susie repeated that phrase often.
“I understand. Thank you. I’ll try to stop by and introduce myself. Thank you for mowing.”
“No problem. We take care of our own. Let me know if you need anything,” Joe said and headed back to the mower.
By the time she’d finished carrying her things inside, Joe had finished and gone home. Max had told him she’d be there. She wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed. Max took care of her even when he was heaven knows where.
Now with the evening stretching in front of her, Saylor missed him. “Okay. Time to distract myself,” she announced to Tapper. The octopus agreed immediately.
She wandered down the hallway and stopped at a closed door. Saylor had never seen in that room. Twisting the handle, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The walls were painted a beautiful, deep blue color that made her feel like she’d dived into a pool or gone scuba diving.
Several large boxes leaned against one wall. Saylor wandered over to see what they were. The picture on the front of one showed a crib with beautifully curved wooden rails. She sat down hard on the floor and read the box carefully. Adult-sized. Little World. Built for comfort.