Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 41889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
The Jar was halfway between a big town and a small one. The motel was off a country road near the national park. This place was never full up.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Some sort of convention. Rangers.”
I exhaled sharply, squeezing Pate’s hand. It was late now. Really late.
“Do you know any other places nearby?”
He shrugged.
“There’s a few places about an hour away, other side of the park. On this side, it’s just us.”
I stared at Paton, my insides curdling with worry. I was so tired, I was afraid to drive. With a sinking feeling in my gut, I realized sleeping in the car was probably the safest thing to do.
“Can we park here?”
He shook his head and the wind went out of my sails. I squeezed Pate’s hand and we left. I drove mindlessly back towards the Jar. I was a few miles away when I pulled onto a side road and onto the shoulder.
I tried to smile as I tucked Paton into the backseat. I kissed her forehead.
“Last time we do this, hon. I promise.”
“It’s not your fault, mom.” She snuggled into her blankets. “I don’t mind anyway.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.
“You’re a good egg, you know that?”
She gave me a sleepy ‘uh huh’ then yawned and was out. Bless her, that ability to conk out was something I never had, no matter how tired I was. I climbed back into the front and tried to get comfortable. I wasn’t an extremely tall woman, but I was too tall to lie flat. I pulled my bra loose and pulled the jacket over me.
It was cold, but I had to leave the windows open a crack for safety. I turned the car back on for ten minutes and blasted the heat. Then I turned it off and tried to sleep.
I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. Worried about the future. Thinking about the kiss.
When I finally slept, I dreamt of Mason. He was angry at me. Disgusted that I had kissed him. He told me he couldn’t stand to be around me and we had to leave immediately. Hit the road.
We couldn’t get the apartment if I didn’t have a job.
We drove away, both of us crying. Seeing my girl cry, even in a dream, was so crushing it woke me up. I stared around the car stupidly. It was dawn, still early. The air was cool and misty.
I closed my eyes. Mason might not want me, but he wouldn’t fire me. He needed me.
With that comforting thought, I fell back asleep again.
Chapter Fourteen
Mason
I took my truck the long way to work for the dog. I was going in early to meet one of my suppliers. And Besos loved riding in the truck with his head out the window.
I rubbed his head affectionately. The dog was so damn happy. I wished I could be but I knew it would never happen.
Of course, I’d pushed away an incredibly sweet and beautiful woman last night, so this was my own damn fault. I probably didn’t deserve happiness. I knew that I did not deserve her.
I cringed, remembering the hurt look in her lovely eyes. I said a silent prayer that she wouldn’t up and quit on me too. I deserved no less for grabbing her like that. What I’d done after was far worse. I’d been so cowardly about my feelings for her that I’d turned her away.
For some godforsaken reason, the woman had wanted me too. That delicate, flawless creature had wanted me. It didn’t make a lick of sense, and I hadn’t been prepared for a miracle at the moment.
Instead of pulling her close and tell her how I felt, I’d destroyed any chance of happiness.
So yeah, I pretty much hated myself right now.
That’s when I saw it.
Michelle. What is she doing here?
Her beat up old car was parked on the other side of the road. My stomach flipped over and clenched. I sprang into panic mode, swerving over to park on the grassy shoulder opposite her car. We were in the middle of nowhere out here. Someone must have forced her off the road.
They’d hurt her.
They’d hurt Paton.
I threw the truck door open and ran into the street. It was very quiet, so I knew I probably wouldn’t get run over. The truth was, I didn’t even look. I stared into the car, my heart racing.
They were dead. I saw Paton lying still. Michelle’s head was drooping to one side where she lay in the driver’s seat. Someone had killed them.
Maybe even because of me.
I felt a sob erupt from my throat. I had to call it in. I had to call Connor-
Michelle moved. I stared in awe as her dainty hand reached up and brushed the hair off her cheek.
Not dead.
Paton rolled to her side, her cute little face scrunched up.