Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Driving quickly to her spot, Aspen wondered if Eddie had followed her home last Friday. She’d been so itchy, a rocket could have gone off next to her and she doubted she would have noticed. Instinctively, she got the car parked as her mind whirled.
The clock caught her gaze, and she pushed her door open. Four minutes. After scrambling out, she walked a few steps before thinking, Lunch. She darted back to the car and pulled the door open to find her keys lying next to her food container. Aspen grabbed both and ran for the building.
Once inside, she clocked in and stowed her lunch in the communal fridge. She slid into a seat in the gathering area where they all received their daily assignments with a relieved sigh. Her boss hadn’t started yet.
“Half the staff are gone. Jim’s still in the hospital,” the man in front of her turned around to share. “You’re okay?”
“I had a reaction but got better with some medicine.”
“Count yourself lucky—or maybe you had an awesome doctor. I’m waiting to see if the boss is even here,” another man chimed in.
After ten minutes, a slight brunette in sky-high stilettos clicked her way into the maintenance area. “Your boss is out. I’m supposed to tell you from the brass that protective suits are now the requirement for dealing with any unknown spills. Edwards, you have the most seniority. Could you take over for today?”
“On it.”
Relieved, the human resources rep turned and clattered her way back down the hall as the maintenance staff pooled their skills together to cover the basics that needed to be completed. Within minutes, Aspen pushed her supplies down the hall. She threw herself into her work, trying not to think of Jerico’s absence and what she suspected was a continuing threat from Eddie.
Her lunch was so thoughtful, she had to fight away the tears. Even while eating alone at the picnic table in the back, Aspen didn’t want anyone at work to see her out of control. Each person involved in the cleanup on Friday had been called in for questioning and given a personal apology as well as two additional days of leave. That would help make up for the uncomfortable weekend. Barely.
She sent a thank you up into the air to Zale for keeping her safe and helping her feel better. Aspen knew if she’d been on her own, she would have ended up in the emergency department or an urgent care. She’d noticed a few of the guys still itching.
Bolting straight up, Aspen realized Zale had decreed that her daddy should continue to administer her medicine every night for the next week. She’d have to do that herself. Eyes widening at that mental image, Aspen shook her head. No matter how much she told herself no, she knew it was up to her to figure it out.
Four days had passed without Jerico coming home. Four days.
Aspen tried to keep positive thoughts in her mind as she threw the ball for Rexy in the backyard. It had taken the lumbering beast a while to figure out why she kept tossing that squeaky round object from one side of the yard to another. Now that he had the idea, Aspen had decided the next ball would not be equipped with a noisemaker.
Squeak. Rexy chomped on the ball before dropping it at her feet.
Grinning, Aspen picked it up gingerly. The entire thing was soaked with slobber. Who was she kidding? She’d buy another with a squeaker. Rexy deserved to have the fun of coaxing the sound from the rubber object.
She lifted her arm to toss the ball again, only to have Rexy flop on the grass and roll over on his back. It looked like he was done running.
Aspen lowered herself to sit in the grass near the happy dog. She couldn’t believe the changes in Rexy since Jerico had rescued them from their previous home. A small shiver ran down her spine at the thought of the man who’d abused Rexy and threatened her.
She’d kept her eyes open every day as she drove to and from work. Aspen had tried to vary her path just in case Eddie was following her. Maybe he’d given up.
“Well. Isn’t this cozy?” a sarcastic voice observed.
Scrambling to her feet, Aspen cursed inside. It was almost as if she’d conjured him. She watched the large man stalk forward. A glance toward the house told her she’d never make it inside before he caught her. There was no way she’d abandon Rexy.
“Rexy’s mine now. He doesn’t want to be with you.”
“You can’t steal a man’s dog. I should just call the police,” Eddie growled, stopping a few feet in front of her.
“He’d be dead by now if I hadn’t gotten him patched up each time you lost your temper,” Aspen threw back at him.