Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
The cookie tasted like sandpaper as I swallowed, then held up a hand to keep her from forcing more into my mouth. “Thank you, but I’d better eat dinner first. Don’t want to ruin my appetite.”
She made a show of wrapping it up for me in a napkin, then tucking it in her purse.
“Father, the food is ready,” Lora Gail called out.
I turned to see if Saylor could hear that over Crow’s incessant talking. Seeing her heading this way with him behind her gave me a little relief. I wanted to wait on her. Take her with me. Put my hand on her back and make it clear that she was mine. But I couldn’t.
Daniel got in line behind me. I asked about his week, doing my best not to listen for Saylor’s voice. To hear what Daniel said and respond properly. But she laughed again, and every muscle in my body locked up, the all-consuming rage pounding in my veins, making me want to plant my fist in Crow’s face.
Taking a drink, I didn’t even know what I’d put on my plate. I went to take a seat at one of the picnic tables.
Saylor, you’d better bring your sweet ass over here when you get your food.
I sat so that no one could sit on the end of the bench beside me, but left enough space so that I could move over for Saylor. Just in case the table filled up before she got here.
I waited for her to turn and look back at me. I used my eyes to cut toward the seat beside me. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth before she looked away.
Watching her walk away at three in the morning into the darkness had been difficult. She slept in my arms for two hours. I had wanted to keep her there more than I wanted my next breath.
She’d told me she loved me.
She loved me.
Crow’s talking to her didn’t mean anything. She wanted me. Not Crow. His hand touched her back, and I had to grip the edge of the table to keep from bolting up and stalking across the space and breaking his arm.
Saylor tensed and stepped out of the way so that his hand had to fall away. It was a smooth move, as if she had practice at it. She probably did. What man could look at her and not want her? Then, when he got to know her he’d been addicted.
She took a glass of lemonade, then began walking toward me. Sibby was suddenly taking the seat on my other side, entirely too close. I scooted to make sure there was enough room for Saylor, moving my cup over further so that Sibby had to put some space between us and not plaster herself to my side.
“I have the rest of your cookie right here, Father,” Sibby said, leaning over me and placing it on the other side of my plate.
My eyes weren’t on her though. I was watching Saylor. Her steps faltered, and I could see the indecision in her expression.
“Saylor,” I called out. “Please, come sit. I wanted to ask you how the food pantry was coming along,” I said, patting the spot beside me that belonged to her.
She continued this way.
“Food pantry? What food pantry is that?” Sibby said in fake interest.
I ignored her, waiting on Saylor. When she walked over to take the seat I had for her, Sibby leaned forward.
“There is plenty of room across from us. There is no need to box Father Jude in like that. It’s rude.” She dropped her voice to a mock whisper on the last word.
Sibby was about to get shoved onto the grass. The woman was pushing me, and I was not the man that needed any more pushing tonight. Crow had done enough.
Saylor paused. If I had to grab her ass and pull it into this seat, I would.
A plate was set down across the table from me.
“You can sit beside me, Saylor,” Crow told her with a smile. “You can even box me in. I don’t mind at all.”
Saylor seemed uncertain. I didn’t know what to say to not make it obvious I wanted her ass beside me.
She walked around the table after a beat of silence, and the image of taking the table and tossing it with Crow and Sibby still on it played out in my head.
Motherfucker!
Saylor took a seat beside Crow, but there was more distance between their bodies than there was between Sibby and me. Since Sibby and Crow had fucked up my getting Saylor close to me, I moved over, getting some space.
“The shelves look great. What’s next?” I asked her, already knowing this.
We’d talked about it. I just needed a reason to look at her. Hear her talk. Keep her eyes on me.