Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Molly would either accept that he was a working man, or she wouldn’t. He couldn’t change who he was at the core. He hadn’t seen a glint of disdain in her beautiful brown eyes, but Faust had run into plenty of women who liked a ride on the wild side and didn’t have any intention of having a permanent relationship with a motorcycle mechanic.
He walked out his door and closed it with a restrained click before stalking to the kitchen to find something to eat. He’d already missed lunch and was a couple of hours late for dinner. That was one good thing about the clubhouse. There was always food.
Bear greeted him with, “There’s chili on the stove.”
“Cheese dip over here,” Carlee told him.
“Yum. I think I could put those two together.”
Faust never worried about calories. His long lean body ate them up as he worked hard all day. Grabbing a plate, he scattered corn chips over it, added some chili, and raided the cheese dip to drizzle a bit over his concoction. Sitting down at a table, he met Atlas’s gaze and nodded when the bartender offered him a beer.
“I’ll go.” Ivy jumped to her feet and ran over to collect the can.
Faust was thankful to see her walk sedately back to his side. There wouldn’t be a shaken-up beer explosion tonight. “Thank you, Ivy.”
“I didn’t shake it up this time on accident. Thanks for trusting me to bring you one.”
“Of course, Ivy. There’s not a mean bone in your body,” Faust said, popping the top on the beer. He took a drink before scooping up a bite of his nacho creation.
Blade wandered from the bar with a fresh beer as well and settled down next to him. “Hey, I wanted to talk to you about that old bike I bought to work on.”
“What about it?” Faust studied Blade.
“I know you’re a magician with engines, but it sounded so bad today coming in I didn’t know whether I’d make it to the shop. Is it worth rebuilding that engine or am I better off getting a new one?”
“Let me look at it tomorrow. Sometimes the sound is just an adjustment thing. Or it could be metal shavings in the oil. Then you’re screwed,” Faust told him.
“I did check the oil when I bought it. It was definitely past its prime,” Blade told him. “Thanks, Faust. I know you’re busy.”
Faust met his gaze directly. “I’ll make time for another Guardian.”
Blade nodded his thanks. “If I can help you with any weaponry, let me know.”
Nodding, Faust took another bite. “Thank you for helping my Little girl with her tire.”
“Yours, huh?”
“Not a doubt about it,” Faust confirmed and studied Blade’s face to see if he had a problem with that.
“I love how fate put someone special in front of you. Maybe it will happen for me,” Blade commented lightly.
The two men sat quietly for a few minutes listening to the Littles chatting and having fun. They were currently involved in a game of “I Spy” and having a great time. It was entertaining to see what they picked to have the others guess. Several cuddled their teddy bears. Steele babysat Ivy’s at the bar. Faust noticed he held it very carefully as if he’d been taught how to take care of the precious stuffie.
“You going to find her tomorrow?” Blade asked.
“I’d go tonight but I don’t want to scare her,” Faust answered.
“She hugged you, big guy. I don’t think she’s scared of you.”
Chapter
Three
Letting herself into the quiet church, Molly walked as silently as possible across the carpeted floor to the office. She loved her job working as the church secretary. It was definitely more interesting than she’d expected. Even trying to avoid gossip and sensitive information, she had a front row seat to all the drama and intrigue that any large group of people brought with them.
After unlocking the door, she set down her purse and tote bag on her desk and walked to the refrigerator to put away her lunch. Molly was always the first person to arrive. She liked being there to get prepared before her day started. The last stop was to fill the coffeepot tank for everyone to brew their favorites before heading back to her desk.
Opening her laptop, she pressed the start button and turned to the phone. The red message light already flashed on her phone. Crossing her fingers that it was not bad news, Molly grabbed a pad of paper and a pen before reviewing the calls that had come in.
One made her stop and call the minister. “Steve? It’s Molly.”
“Hi, Molly. Already hard at work? I should be there in fifteen minutes or so,” the kindly older man told her.
“You may wish to go straight over to the nursing home. I have a message that came in ten minutes ago. Adele Kelly is not expected to make it through the next few hours,” Molly told him, trying to keep the tears that streamed down her face from affecting her speech.