Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Somehow, I doubted that. “You aren’t fine. You still must hurt.”
“I’ll never admit it,” he retorted. That was fair. I could see Basanelli refusing to admit to having pain. “I was thinking maybe I should put off proposing to Tessa.”
“No,” I said, bolting upright and then grimacing as pain lashed down my arm. “You can’t. You can’t let other people determine your life, Nick. Come on.” I couldn’t let him ruin this.
His tension ticked over the line. “It might be better if she’s not caught up in this, especially if Pierce is about to arrest me.”
I took several deep and calming breaths. “No, you are not going to let them win. In fact, I have a great idea.” Plans started formulating in my mind.
“I am not proposing down by the lake,” he said.
“I know, I know,” I said. “But there’s a men’s basketball game tonight, and a bunch of us will be there to support Violet.” I’d have to somehow acquire flowers, but I figured I could talk one of Aiden’s team into going to the store for me. I didn’t have a vehicle, so I didn’t have a way, but Donna was home, too. Maybe I’d call her.
“What are you thinking?” Nick asked.
Images ran through my brain. Romantic ones. “What if you propose in front of whatever family’s there after the game? It’d be nice for Violet to be a part of one of our family events. Plus, Tessa loves basketball, surprises, and family. It’s perfect.”
Nick was quiet for a moment. “You don’t mean for me to propose on the big screen or anything like that?”
Both of them would strongly dislike that, and they deserved the perfect moment. “No, no, no,” I said. “Just maybe after the game. I know it’s not as romantic as a candlelit dinner, but—”
“I do like the spontaneity of it,” he admitted. “All right. I’ll bring the ring if you’re sure this is something she’d want.”
I really liked how he seemed off-balance about the whole thing. “I’m positive,” I said. “Trust me.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Great.” I clicked off and then called my sister, Donna. She’d have to pick up the roses.
I wore a cardigan over my long-sleeved shirt for the basketball game to better camouflage the bandages on my shoulder and adjusted my hair to cover the bruise on my forehead. The lump and swelling had gone down, and only a light purple mark remained. I barely kept Aiden from carrying me from the truck into the elementary school gym. While he’d seemed to calm down a bit, an edge still showed in his eyes.
If he got his hands on the lead Cupid, the robber would regret his life choices.
A part of me was concerned that Aiden would get himself into trouble, and the other part was all girly and squishy about how much he wanted to protect me. Living in Aiden’s world involved a strong sense of safety and security. I supposed living in mine involved many meddling family members coupled with madcap danger. Yeah, he was a patient man, no question.
We met Uncle Buddy, Aunt Yara, and Violet at the doorway. Violet had somewhat dark circles under her eyes, and Yara kept sending nervous glances her way.
I forced what I hoped was a bright smile. “Everybody ready for a basketball game?”
Uncle Buddy leaned forward and kissed my forehead before shaking Aiden’s hand. He was a barrel of a man who worked in the mine and had raised six pretty tough men. Yet he’d worn a good flannel and slicked his grayish-black hair back for the jaunt into Timber City. “You bet. Sometimes, these men’s league games get wilder than the high school kids’.”
Yara motioned us all inside. “Let’s get out of the wind.” She leaned up and kissed Aiden on the cheek. “I’m so glad you’re back in town.”
His cheeks reddened slightly. “As am I.” He grinned at Violet. “Do you like basketball?”
She shrugged and blushed, her gaze dropping to her boots. “I guess. The rules have never made a lot of sense to me.”
“I’ll explain it to you,” Aiden offered.
She looked up and smiled. “That’d be cool.”
Yeah, Aiden could be a charmer. We moved inside the building just as Tessa and Nick ran up the stairs, shaking off snow. I gave Nick a wink when Tessa moved to hug Aunt Yara.
He seemed a little pale beneath his bronze skin.
I swore Aiden chortled behind me, but when I turned to glare, he was looking innocently at the men warming up in the gym. I grasped Violet’s arm and pointed at Judge Grizzio, who wore black shorts and a light blue jersey sponsored by Smiley’s Diner. He also wore a bright pink headband that mopped up the sweat from his hair. “That’s our judge.”
Her jaw slackened. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.” I waved at him, and he waved back before catching the ball from a teammate and trying for a three-pointer. He missed.