Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
I truly believe a big reason why she seems to have a glow around her all the time is because she’s made up of kindness and sweetness on the inside. There isn't a mean bone in her body. Not even one mean enough to rip that jerk face Kent a new one. I think he knows that too. Predators often do. They sense the sweetness and good in people and pounce like the monsters they are.
“I got you guys into this mess.” Aurora’s voice is filled with tears.
“We’re in this shit together,” Bells says before I can respond.
“We wanted an adventure, and it sure as heck looks as if we're going to get one!” I put on a bright smile. The last thing I need is for Aurora to burst into tears. “Plus, look” I point over my shoulder. “We found a hot mountain man.”
Aurora snorts a laugh at my teasing. Most likely because I never openly call a man hot. The tears in her eyes start to fade away. My work here is done for now. I’m holding on by a tiny thread, and I don’t need Aurora having a breakdown when I’m so close to one myself.
“Guys. Our little Clover just made him blush.” I look back over my shoulder to Charles. Pretty sure that’s the cold doing that to his cheeks. He doesn't deny or defend himself. Truthfully, I don’t think he cares why we think his cheeks are red one way or another. He does, however, keep staring right at me. I try not to fidget at that.
I might be what many like to call the mousy type, but I am the first to get into anyone’s face when it came to Aurora. But this man has me fighting the urge to not fidget and retreat back to my high school years when my hormones were all over the place.
“Is it night out?” Aurora asks. Bells and I both break out in much needed laughter. I reach up and pull the glasses off her face. Her eyes are still puffy and red from crying. As much as I hate seeing that, the hot flash of anger I feel warms me.
“Help her out.” I move to the back of the SUV. Charles follows me. I try to open the back but can’t get it to budge.
He looks at the sky. “We’re not worried about your luggage right now.”
“I’m not.” I give him a frown. “We’ll come back for it.”
“Clover.” He says my name like he’s tasting it. “I like that name.” He grabs the back hatch and somehow gets it to open.
Now my cheeks are the ones reddening, and not from the cold. “Thanks.”
His warm smile sends pleasant tingles up my spine. Maybe I hit my head in the wreck or I’m starting to go snow crazy, but the longer he looks at me, the hotter I feel.
I grab our coats and winter gear we tossed off when we’d gotten into the warm SUV, then bring them back to the girls to put everything on. Bells clenches her jaw as she puts her coat on.
Charles keeps on staring straight at me. I look to Aurora and wait for him to start looking more her way. That’s how things normally go. I get it. Hell, if I was into chicks I’d be into her, too. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s kind and talented.
“This is going to be a small trek that the snow is going to make feel longer. You ladies think you can do this?”
“Yes,” we all say in unison. He gives us a skeptical look.
“Listen, big mountain man. Aurora can run circles around all of us, and we all join in her mandated daily workout sessions for the most part. You just lead the way. And if you try anything I don’t like, I’ll be on like you white on rice, and I fight dirty,” Bells adds with an ominous tone.
“Understood.” He gives a nod to Bells at her small speech, but his eyes come back to me.
She's in pain, I mouth to Charles.
He shrugs as if he already knows that.
“Keep your steps high. It’s harder to drag the snow than it is to lift and place each foot,” he informs us. “All right, ladies let's do this. If something is bothering you I want you to tell me. I don’t care if you think you’re being whiny. I need to know either way.”
“Got it,” we all agree.
“Clover, I want you in the front. You listen to my calls from the back.” I don’t know why, but I feel a sparkle of approval that he trusts me to be at the front. I listen to every order he shouts out as we make our way off the road and into the snowy landscape. I never question and do just as he says, putting my trust in this man that has come to save us. This is so foreign to me, but for some reason I do trust him.