Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“How did you figure me out?” I ask.
A sad smile lifts his lips. “Oh, I caught your tone of voice. And I know your heart and how hard you try to convince people everything is always great.”
“It usually is,” I mutter, not wanting to fall apart in front of him. “And that wasn’t an insensitive question. And to be honest, I guess it would be Thanksgiving, too. Because it’s the season of giving thanks. I’m grateful for the ability to always look on the bright side.”
He tips my head up with his hand beneath my chin. “You’re a special woman, Mia Atwood.”
“Thank you.” I force a smile, unnerved by something he said, buried in the speech about how well he knows me.
He said he knows my heart.
He can’t. Or he’d know I am falling in love with him.
* * *
Austin
Back at the cabin, I sit in front of the fire. I kick my feet up on the large ottoman in front of me and stare into the flames.
I can’t shake my conversation with Mia. How have I never realized how deeply her past affects her? I caught the wistfulness in her voice and immediately realized so much about this warm, loving woman. She gives to everyone without thought to whether or not she’ll get back in return.
I run a hand through my hair, frustrated there is nothing I can do to change what is missing in her life. Nothing but… show her how special holidays can be by sharing mine with her. I look forward to that.
Before I can think further, my cell rings. “Reality intruding,” I mutter. A glance at the screen and I am right.
“Hey, Dante. What do you have for me?” I ask.
“Your ex is involved with a guy who’s heavy into drugs. And considering the guy he met up with last time I tailed him? He’s probably into dealing, too.”
“You just earned a bonus,” I say, beyond pleased. “Tell me you recorded something.”
“Photographs. Nothing that’ll help you with your ex. Yet. But I’m closer.”
I blow out a deep breath. “Thank God for small favors. What about info on Parker Alexander?” I ask as Mia walks into the room.
Her eyes open wide at the mention of her former employer.
I hold up a finger, telling her to wait while I gather details.
“Unfortunately, he lies low. According to my partner, he doesn’t meet with anyone, stays holed up in his apartment. I can’t get to his phone or computer, so I’m stuck unless he leaves the premises and we can tail him.”
I shake my head and frown. “Stay on it,” I tell the other man.
“Will do. More when I have it.” Dante disconnects the call.
“No news?” Mia asks as I place my phone on the leather ottoman beside my open computer.
“Half and half.” I tell her what Dante found out about Kayla’s current boyfriend. “So I’m hoping to tie her to drugs and get her out of Bailey’s life once and for all. As for your guy… I’m sorry. Nothing yet.”
I pat the couch beside me, and she eases in next to me. I feel the warmth of her body, and my dick is growing hard. It doesn’t take much for me to want her. A glance, a touch.
“Don’t worry. We’ll find something to prove Alexander is behind the break-in,” I assure her.
“I hope so. It’s unnerving to think I have to testify with him sitting across from me, knowing he’s willing to go pretty far to scare me off.”
I pull her into my arms. “My guys are good—” Before I can go on, the video chat on the computer I have open in front of the sofa interrupts us with a ring.
I shoot Mia a regret-filled glance before looking at the name on the screen. Mia scrambles out of my embrace and the screen viewing area, and though I understand why, I feel a pang of regret as I hit accept.
“Bailey Button!” I say as my daughter’s little face shows up on the screen. She has high pigtails on either side of her head, obviously courtesy of her grandmother, and she grins, her missing teeth making me smile.
“I miss you!” I say.
“I miss you, too, Daddy.” She sounds funny, and a deeper look shows me her eyes are glassy.
“What’s wrong, princess?” I ask.
“I have a cold.” She treats me to a big, deliberate sniff. “And Grandma says I have temperature.”
My heart squeezes as it always does when my daughter gets sick.
“And I miss Mia,” Bailey says on a whine.
I can’t help but grin. I extend my hand to Mia, out of screen view.
She doesn’t take it, but she slides closer so she can be in the screen area. “Hey, Bailey. You don’t feel well?”
Bailey shakes her head. “I miss you,” she says again.
“Me, too.”
I have an easy fix for what ails her. “How about a visit when I get back?”