Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
"Yeah, this doesn't sound like a good idea to me either," Zoey chimes in.
"I mean it," Mina says. "This retreat is the perfect opportunity for all of you, but especially you," she says, pointing a finger at Emmy. Poor Emmy looks like she wants the earth to open beneath her feet and swallow her, but Mina's on a mission. "Stop looking at me like you don't know who I mean. The guy who fixed your porch light."
"Cabin door," Emmy groans.
"Door, light, sink, who cares?" Mina laughs. "Same difference."
"I'm sure he could fix your plumbing too," Paige says with a snort.
I grab Paige's wine glass, sliding it away from her.
"My point is, the guy is hot, and you like him. He's here and so are you. You'll never see him again, so do the math."
"Who's that?" Paige nudges me to get my attention as a curvy brunette peeks her head into the restaurant and then marches in our direction. She's pretty, and something about her feels familiar. It's her eyes, I think. Initially, I think they're gray like Cord's, but clearly, that highhanded cowboy is just stuck in my brain because this woman's eyes are a pale green.
"I don't know," I murmur.
"She works for the Sheriff," Zoey says, her voice soft. "I think her name is Cleary."
Cleary draws to a stop in front of our table.
"Hi," she says, smiling brightly at us. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but I heard through the grapevine that you guys were staying here this week, and I couldn't resist gatecrashing to meet you. I love your books so much!"
"Aww," everyone says at the same time.
"I'm Cleary, and I brought some books." She motions to the weighed down tote bag hanging from her shoulder. "Wow, I feel like an ass ambushing you this way, but we've never had actual authors here before. At least any that write books that I care about."
"Don't be silly," Paige says. "We love to meet readers. Why don't you join us?"
We all scoot over to make room for her. She seems like a sweet girl.
Cleary's eyes widen and she smiles. "Seriously?" She scoots into the booth next to us.
"We'd be happy to sign. Sorry if I'm the token spokesperson," Paige says. "Most writers are introverts and actually pretty shy around people. I have two younger brothers so I can't afford to be shy." She rolls her big blue eyes.
The younger woman starts to pull books out of her bag, and sure enough, she has copies of all our books.
"Oh, this is one of my favorites!" I say, holding up a copy of one of Zoey's books. "I loved it so much."
"Me too!" Cleary gushes, excitement firing in her eyes.
"So you're from around here," Paige says. "Would you be able to help me find somewhere I could camp? I'm doing research for an upcoming book, and I just need a small patch of land where I can set up a little tent. I like to truly experience the things my characters would experience."
Mina chokes on a swallow of her drink and the rest of the girls try to swallow their laughs.
Cleary smiles widely. "I think I know just the spot. My older brothers own a ton of property around here." She rolls her eyes as if she commiserates with Paige about brothers.
I know I do. My older brother, Rhys, is a detective in Washington. I love him to death, but he drives me crazy! He's so overprotective. He would lose his mind if he knew I was going to spy on a cowboy I've only ever spoken with via email. Come to think of it, he'd lose his mind if he knew there was a cowboy, period.
Mina is right though, as much as I hate to admit it. I know nothing about the things I write. Not about cowboys or sex, not really. I'm not giving up my V-Card to just anyone, but I came here to learn about cowboys. It's time to strap on my big girl panties and grab that bull by the horn.
Tomorrow, I'm going to see what a "real cowboy" does.
"What are you doing?" I ask Paige, ducking underneath a tree limb.
"Camping. You?"
"You're camping? Already?" I stop walking and blink, surprised. She really does move fast when she sets her mind to something. It's honestly impressive. It's barely even nine in the morning. I figured she'd still be in bed, nursing a hangover like everyone else.
"Yep. Cleary found me a spot, so I set out first thing this morning. What are you doing?"
"Hiking."
"Hold the phone," Paige says, her shock rippling down the line. "You're hiking? Is this one of those things where I'm supposed to call 911 because someone abducted you and you're really asking for help?"
"What?" I laugh, startling a bluebird into flight. It squawks indignantly as it wings into the air in search of safety. I'm a little surprised it hasn't already flown off in search of warmer digs. It's supposed to snow later today. "No. I just decided to give this outdoors thing one more try."