Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Linc knew his father looked at Tully and Mitchell as two more sons and he himself was viewed as a son by Tully’s mom. The only parent who didn’t approve of him in their group was Mitchell’s mom. She tolerated him because he was rich and had played professional ball but the woman didn’t like him. Hell, the woman barely tolerated Tully but that was more than Linc got from her.
She was very good at putting on a show for the public eye but when they had been younger and at her place, it hadn’t been welcoming. His dad and Tully’s mom never said anything to her about it as far as he knew. They just encouraged the boys to meet at one of their places instead. Which they had done…willingly.
“Stop thinking about how to lie your way out of this and tell me why you are pretending to be engaged.”
So he told his father about Huxton Stevenson and what had led him to that point. His father frowned and shook his head at him.
“You know this is going to blow up in your face. You cannot be entering into a business deal based on a lie. And this Miss Emma, that woman has had to put up with enough in her life. Her old man made her life hell. That shit for brains who knocked her up and left her to handle it on her own did her a favor by leaving, even if she doesn’t think so now. She has her daughter to think about. What’s going to happen when you decide you’re ready to settle down with someone and you break off the engagement? Do you really think your new woman is going to be okay with you working so closely with your ex-fiancée?”
How did his father know so much about Emma’s situation, yet he knew next to nothing? The man cleared his throat, reminding him not to dally in his response.
“I’ll figure it out, Pops. I know you’re not a fan, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to secure more funding for the center. If Stevenson invests, we can have that hockey rink built.”
He already had the location for it. Linc had bought a lot of surrounding land. He wanted this venture to be a success and had every intention of making it beneficial for the area as well. If he could bring in business for the local economy, why wouldn’t he? He loved Rock Falls and wanted to help out. It wasn’t strictly so he could make more money. That would be selfish and something his father would swiftly nip in the bud.
His father smiled. “Tully coaching.”
“Yep.” He shoved a hand through his hair, pushing the sweaty strands away from his face. “I mean, he doesn’t know it yet, but he will. I know he misses being on the ice.”
“I know you have Mitchell coaching some of the basketball.” His father crossed his arms.
Linc spread out his hands and gave an “aw shucks” smile. “Hey, I am utilizing the assets I have at my disposal, precisely like you taught me.”
“True. I did teach you that. What I didn’t teach you was to lie.”
The point was taken. He sobered and took a deep breath.
“I know, Pops. And I said I’m working on it. I’ll figure it out.”
“Make sure you take care of Miss Emma.” His father walked to the door only to stop and turn around. “Of course, if you continue to stare at her like you were in the office, no one is going to doubt it.” Then he was gone.
Even Mitchell had left by the time he made it out of his gym. Fixing himself a small breakfast, he thought about Emma. She was probably going to try and get out of showing up at the center for her new job. He wasn’t going to hurt her in this. He would protect her. This woman obviously put herself last to give her daughter everything she wanted. A fact which made Linc all the more impressed with her.
Chewing the last bite of toast as he headed out to his truck, he was on his way to her place before he could decide if it was the right decision or not. Pulling into the driveway, he frowned as he watched Tully and Dawson talking by Emma’s car as Dawson gestured to the garage.
Once he parked and hopped out, they looked at him. He waited for some comment but they didn’t say anything other than wave him over with a “morning” from each of them.
“What’s up?”
“We’ll push. Legs, you steer, and we’ll get it in the garage so you can work on it.”
Without another word, he positioned himself by the passenger bumper. Tully took the driver’s side and they waited for Dawson to get behind the wheel. The men shared a look then began pushing while Dawson steered, moving the car backward into the side of the garage that was empty. Once inside, they waited until Dawson put blocks by the wheels so it wouldn’t move.