Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 280(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 280(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“Thanks,” he calls over his shoulder at me.
I wander through my shop as I make my way toward a woman browsing the shelves. Her long red hair cascades down her back, catching the soft light filtering through the windows. There’s something about her that tugs at the edges of my memory, but I can’t quite place it.
“Hi, can I help you find something?” I ask, my voice gentle as I approach her.
She spins around, her blue eyes locking onto mine. There’s a flicker of recognition in them, a flash of something that makes me think we’ve met before. But before I can dwell on it, she speaks.
“Hi, I’m looking for some books about cancer, specifically colon cancer.”
Her words hang in the air between us, heavy with the weight of what they mean. I don’t need to ask to see the pain etched into her expression, the way her eyes seem to carry the burden of a thousand unshed tears. I nod, my heart aching for her.
“I’m so sorry,” I say softly, unsure if she wants me to jump to conclusions, but unable to stop myself from offering some small comfort.
She bows her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “My father.”
The two words say everything. I feel a pang of empathy deep in my chest, understanding all too well the fear and helplessness that come with those dreaded diagnoses. “I understand. Let’s see what we have,” I say, my tone gentle as I guide her over to the nonfiction section.
As I search the shelves, I can’t help but hope that we have something that might offer her even a small measure of solace.
“I’m Violet. I don’t think I’ve ever been in here before,” she says, breaking the silence.
“Hi, Violet. I’m Millie.” I give her a warm smile, hoping to ease some of the tension in her shoulders. “You look familiar.”
She nods, a faint smile touching her lips. “Lived here all my life. Violet Daniels. My father owns Daniels’ Farm.”
And just like that, the pieces fall into place. The farm at the edge of town, where the fields stretch out like an endless sea of green. I’ve heard the name before, seen it in the local news, at the farmer’s market.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her.
“I don’t get out much. Normally I work long hours on the farm, but I’m trying to.”
Oliver brings his purchases up to the checkout counter just as Hazel and Arlene bound through the door, laughing.
“Oh, well we offer a book club. We’re actually having a meeting here soon, if you wanted to join in.”
Violet smiles, her blue eyes softening. “I’d like that.”
I beam. “Great, hang tight. I’m just going to check out the customer at the counter.”
She smiles, looking in that direction. “He’s really cute.”
I blush. “Yeah, he seems nice, but…” my words quickly fall away. How can I tell her that Oliver Moore’s got nothing on Tripp Atwood.
Before I can even say a thing, Tripp enters through the door, and it’s like all the air is sucked out of the shop. I can’t keep my eyes off him, and when he sees me his face lights up.
“Oh, I see,” Violet says. “There’s somebody else in the picture.”
Her words startle me. “I’m sorry,” I say, tearing my attention from Tripp to focus on Violet.
Violet only laughs. “Oh, you’ve got it bad.”
It’s like the whole world stands still as I nod. “I should check Oliver out,” I say, slowly stepping away from Violet. “You can follow the ladies to the back and get ready for book club.” I point over at Hazel and Arlene who are busily setting things up.
Violet nods. “Sure thing.”
I head over to the counter to check out Oliver as Tripp moves closer toward me.
“Think anymore about that dinner invite?” Oliver asks with a widening grin.
I rush behind the back of the counter, giving Oliver a small smile. Tripp’s eyes collide with mine, and my face grows hot.
Why do I feel like I’d be cheating on Tripp if I accepted Oliver’s invitation?
Chapter 12
Tripp
His invitation to dinner? She’s going on a date with Oliver Moore? What the fuck?
My skin burns with angry jealousy as I stare into her eyes. She looks like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Shocked and nervous.
I shake my head and turn around, walking out of the book store. That damn bell alerting everyone to my departure.
Fucking Oliver Moore. The guy is the equivalent to Callum with his success, but Oliver is outgoing and fun. He’s older than I am, hell older than Brock.
Fucking Brock. He probably introduced them since Oliver is Willow’s oldest brother. Brock used to date Millie and now he’s dating Willow. Knowing my brother, he probably felt like he owed Millie something and figured he’d get her a man.
Asshole.
I head straight to Atta Boy, ready to rip into Brock. He had Millie and let her go. I’m like the dog waiting for scraps who keeps getting denied over and over. It’s fucking unreal.