Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“Think about it, okay, fairy? You don’t have to say yes or no right away, but I do have to go. Walk me to the door, and I’ll get Gramps the cookies you brought for him.” I turn to Gramps. “I’ll see you later.” He walks toward me, a travel mug in one hand for me, his own in his other.
“Did someone say cookies? I was hoping you’d brought me some after your story.” He winks at her, handing me my coffee and giving me a side hug.
“I’ll think about it.” I nod. That’s all I can ask of her. While all I want is to immerse Carsynn completely in my life, she’s been on her own for as long as she can remember. It’s a lot for both McCoy men to barge into her life and try to make it better.
“Works for me, fairy.” I guide us out of the kitchen and to the front door. Thankfully, Gramps stays behind. We don’t need an audience when I kiss her, especially since I’m not giving her some chaste kiss. I’m going to leave her breathless and with a promise for a whole fucking lot more when I get home tonight.
20
CARSYNN
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?” I ask Bernie as we pull into Gabe’s driveway. We spent the better part of the day together. The man is a busybody, going from one room to the other to tinker on this or that. I helped him bring wood in again even though he wanted to yell at me because of the lack of clothing I wore. Gabe called to check in around lunchtime, and he and Mr. Bernie talked for a few minutes before the phone was passed to me. A phone I’d never seen the likes of before. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot, so a house phone was a luxury my parents would never put before their drug use. Grandpa Bernie, as he now tells me to call him, has an honest to God phone that’s rotary style. It’s attached to the wall. The spiral cord is long enough he can sit down in his recliner to have a long conversation. Gabe let me know he’d be home for dinner and that my car was in his yard at the shop. Then he had to go, but he’d see me later. Once we hung up, I asked Mr. Bernie how it worked, to which he told me the phone company made them obsolete. You can receive calls; you just can’t call out. He uses his other phone in his bedroom to dial out if necessary. For the most part, he’ll talk to Gabe on a cell phone if he’s out on the road. That way, he doesn’t miss a chance to chit chat. Secretly, I believe Bernie calls Gabe as much as he does because he worries, rightfully so. He told me about losing his wife and daughter back to back. I’m sure that hits you in a way you’re never prepared for.
“I’m sure. You two lovebirds need your time alone. I remember when Winnie and I first got together. We would stay out late, stay up late, and the next day, we were dog tired. It was worth it, though.” Bernie is lost in a memory, a good memory I’d guess, judging by the smile on his face. We talked about Winnie and his daughter, Gabe’s mom. I didn’t bring it up and wouldn’t think about doing that to Gabe either, but he told me how they passed away within months of each other, how it broke his heart, and how Gabe was the only reason he got up each morning after everything happened. Winnie and his daughter would have kicked his ass from their grave if he screwed up.
“The offer is there should you change your mind.” Before we left, I took out ingredients to make a quick dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. I’m still shocked Gabe has such a well-stocked kitchen, a kitchen I’ve been putting to good use. While we were snowed in, he’d make breakfast, mostly because he woke up well ahead of me. Apparently, my body is too tired to move in the morning. Gabe says I’m catching up on years of sleep deprivation, and I tell him it’s from his powerhouse of a sex drive. Which in turn starts a whole new conversation about how I’m not complaining when it happens, and then he’s seducing me all over again.
“I know, and I appreciate it. I’m glad you’re here, Carsynn, not glad Gabe had to find you the way he did. But I’m glad you’re a part of the family.” He hits the clicker for the garage. There was no talk about where he was dropping me off. Clearly, I’m going to Gabe’s. These McCoy men, always doing what they want and how they want.