Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Oh. Whoa! I had no idea—”
Dr. Reichart pins a scary smile on her face. “The past is the past. I don’t hold grudges.”
That smile is not a no-grudges-held smile.
“I’ll let him know you said hi.”
“Great. Tell him I’d love to get coffee with him.”
Pressing my lips together, I nod a half-dozen times. As soon as she’s behind her office door, I’ll text Will and tell him to pack a bag and leave Missoula stat.
“Beat Saber during lunch?” She lifts her sculpted brows in question.
“Sure,” I squeak.
The door clicks, and I turn, smacking into Betty. “Oof! Sorry.”
“Mrs. Edie requested you. I guess you were ‘nicer’ to her last week.” Betty gives me a cheesy grin.
“Did you know Dr. Reichart lost her virginity to Will?” I follow Betty in her new green sneakers to the break room.
“That’s impressive.” She messes with her pink micro bangs.
“That she lost her virginity to Will or that Will took it?”
“Neither. I meant it’s impressive that she remembers who took her virginity.”
“You don’t?”
She peers over her shoulder at me. “Is that even a real question?”
Betty’s a slut. I love her. She’s kind and funny, with years of nursing experience that she shares with the other nurses. A true role model at work. But her legs spread like my spring-loaded kitchen shears. I don’t need a full hand to count my sexual partners. Betty needs a spreadsheet.
Spread-sheet.
“Have you gotten some lately?” Betty asks, snagging a stale donut.
“Some what?”
“Oh my god. If you have to ask, then I know the answer.” Betty’s face sours when she discovers how long that glazed donut has been in the pink box.
“Sex?” I glance up from my tablet.
“Yes. That’s when a guy puts his penis—”
“Stop.” I laugh. “It’s been a hot minute. But I’ve recently been kissed.”
“Oh, tell me where.”
“In my kitchen and by my Jeep after a party.”
“No. Where did he kiss you?”
“Um . . .” I glance over her shoulder to the nursing student waiting for Mentor Betty. “The lips,” I murmur.
“Which lips?” Betty waggles her eyebrows. “Do you know what I mean?”
She must think I’m still a virgin and not just a Montana virgin.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I wink and toss her a conspiratorial grin while brushing past her to get to Mrs. Edie.
“You little hussy.”
I cringe, and my face flushes when the male nursing student eyes me. He heard her. Now I’m Nurse Hussy because I let Betty think my labia was recently serviced.
It’s going to be a long day.
Chapter Thirteen
CALVIN
During my years as a firefighter, I’ve heard my fair share of bloodcurdling screams. However, as I get out of my truck, I don’t expect to hear one coming from my house.
I sprint through the door, resisting the urge to kick it down. When I race past the entry, I find Jamie standing on the kitchen counter, one hand gripping the top of the fridge and her other hand cupped over her mouth.
Eyes wide.
Legs shaking.
I don’t smell smoke. Is someone in the house? I can’t get a read on the situation other than that she’s paralyzed with panic.
“Run!” She points toward me.
A mouse runs past my boot and hides under the sofa.
I follow the mouse’s path, inspecting every kitchen corner before glancing at Jamie. “Where is it?”
Her brow lines with as much confusion as I have in mine. “You just watched it run under the sofa.”
“No. Where is the rattlesnake? The bear? The mountain lion? The escaped convict? Where is the scary thing that was chasing the mouse?”
She scowls.
“Tell me you’re not on the counter screaming your lungs out at a measly little mouse.”
“Did you see it? All”—she wiggles her fingers—“fast and twitchy. Beady little eyes. A horrifying critter spreading disease, stealing food, and chewing through the furniture.”
“Get down.” I hold out my hand.
She shakes her head, pulling down the long sleeves of her fitted white T-shirt to hide her hands. “It’s under the sofa. Get it.”
I try not to laugh, but she’s quite the sight. “Maybe I need to get on the counter too. Will might show up soon. He was looking for it the other day. Why should I risk my life if you’re unwilling to risk yours?”
Her frown deepens. “I’m irrationally scared of a mouse. I need you to be my hero today and get rid of it. Is that what you need to hear?”
My lips corkscrew, and I nod several times. “That works. Be right back. Keep an eye on Mickey.”
“Where are you going?” she shrieks.
“He won’t come when called, so I must entice him.” I jog to the garage and retrieve the right tool for the job.
When I return and open the fridge, she gasps. “What are you doing with that?”
I spread peanut butter on the mousetrap and set it.
“No. Nooo way.”
I place the trap by the sofa.
“Fitz, no. You can’t kill it.”
“Sorry, Jaymes. We don’t have a choice. When bears attack humans, they have to be put down because they’ve tasted human blood, which means they’re more likely to attack humans again. Mice are no different.” I return the peanut butter to the fridge. “That mouse has heard your terrified screams. Now it craves that reaction and will dedicate its life to scaring the shit out of you. If I don’t eliminate the mouse, it will hunt you down, run across your bare feet, and burrow into your shed.”