Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Thankfully, Callie kept up most of the conversation as we made the short drive into Ardnoch. My once quiet and reserved daughter had really come out of her shell. Because her father was a total asshole (and she’d never met her grandfather), Callie had never been comfortable around men. However, with Walker, she chatted easily. She told him all about her upcoming adventure into the world of tae kwon do. I tried to focus on her excitement about it again and not worry myself over the cost of that on top of car repairs.
“I’m gonna be as cool as Robyn when I’m older. Lewis says she’s a martial artist and she, like, kicked some people’s butts, and she’s been shot and she saved her husband’s life. She’s like a real-life superhero!”
We’d all heard the stories about Lachlan’s wife, Robyn, Regan’s sister. Lewis’s aunt was kind of legendary around these parts. The woman was truly badass. A part of me felt a prick of jealousy at Callie’s hero worship, but mostly, I felt grateful I could surround my daughter with women who were such incredible role models.
As we pulled up outside our cottage on Castle Street, Walker turned to look at me as he asked Callie, “When is your first class?”
“Next Monday. Regan is gonna drive us there and bring us back ’cause it’s in Inverness. We’ve only been to Inverness a few times, and I like the bridge we cross over to get to it, so even the car ride will be cool. As long as Eilidh doesn’t hog the music.”
The whole time my daughter rambled, I held Walker’s gaze, trying to give nothing away.
However, I sometimes wondered if the man could strip back my layers and see everything I was feeling.
If that was true, he now knew of at least five different sexual fantasies I had about him.
Shaking off that thought, I gave him a small smile. “Thanks for the ride. Can you text me Joe’s number so I can deal with the car?”
“Don’t worry about the car.”
“Text me Joe’s number,” I reiterated with as much sternness as I was capable of. I jumped out, hurrying around the car to get Callie, but Walker was already out and opening her door.
“Let’s see that backpack.” He gestured to her yellow floral school bag.
Callie held it out to him, and the capable Scot unstuck it in seconds.
“Thanks!” Callie cried, looking up at Walker as if he’d saved her from something life-threatening. I did not want my kid getting attached to this guy unless he intended to get attached back. And all of Ardnoch knew that would not happen.
“Yeah, thanks,” I offered quietly, because I was grateful. Really. I was.
“Can we talk a second?” Walker asked pointedly.
After this morning, I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk alone with Walker again so soon. The incident with Hoffman had distracted my thoughts from Walker and the elevator, but now that Walker was in front of me, I felt rejected. We both knew I had put myself out there with my invitation. An invitation he’d ignored.
Ugh. It had been one crappy, crappy day. Handing Callie the house keys, I told her to let herself in.
She grabbed them, grinned at Walker, and waved adorably as she called, “Bye, Walker!”
“Bye, wee yin,” he murmured, wearing that tiny, imperceptible smile again.
Once Callie disappeared inside the house, I gave Walker a tight-lipped look, my eyes saying, “So, what is it?”
To my shock, he looked almost uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and scowled at me. “The tae kwon do classes are a good idea. A girl should learn to defend herself.”
Not what I’d been expecting. “Okay.”
“It’s a lot, though. I train in jujitsu, and there’s an investment involved.”
Embarrassment heated my cheeks as I realized Walker had seen right through me.
“I’d love to sponsor Callie’s training.”
Gaping at Walker, I didn’t know what to say. Usually, I’d smile and thank him and then tell him it was unnecessary. But I didn’t feel like smiling. My pride stung. I’d had the day from hell. He’d already rescued us (me twice!), and now he was insinuating (correctly) that I might not be able to afford to send Callie to tae kwon do.
“That won’t be necessary, but thank you.” Even to me, I sounded cold.
Walker scowled. “Sloane, I meant no—”
His phone rang, and I glanced down at it clutched in his hand. He sighed in irritation and brought the screen up.
A woman’s name flashed across it.
Of course it did.
“Chloe is calling, so I’ll let you get that. See you around.” I turned and took the two steps required to push open my front door. He didn’t stop me, and I locked it behind me.
I didn’t know what agitated me more: that he’d jabbed at my pride and need to take care of my daughter by myself.