Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“What’s wrong? Is that the wrong kind of salsa?”
“No, it’s actually my favorite salsa, but I didn’t have it on my list.”
“I know, but you like chips and salsa, so I grabbed it.” I shrug and shift on my feet. “How’s Daisy?”
“She’s napping, but she’s much better. I think she’ll be as good as new tomorrow.”
“Good.” I nod, relief flooding through me. “That’s good.
“Thank you,” she says, leaning on the counter that separates us. “For last night and for this. I’ll get you some cash.”
“No.” Her gaze whips over to mine, pausing on her way to her purse. “I don’t want your money, Abs.”
“You don’t have to buy my groceries.”
I don’t respond to that. I’ll be damned if Abbi will give me a dime for anything, ever. “I should probably head home—”
“Before you do,” she interrupts, taking a small, hesitant step toward me. Jesus, if she gets any closer, I won’t be able to make it one hour into my new plan of holding off with her until the fall. One. Fucking. Hour. She stops and bites her lip, then squares her shoulders. “Our collective is hosting a New Year’s Eve party, and I’d like to take you. As my date. Jesus, my daughter had no problem at all asking you to be her date, and I’m nervous as hell.”
I soften at that, and there’s no way I can stop my feet from crossing to her and cupping her face. I brush my lips over hers, careful not to take it too deep.
“I’d love that,” I whisper. “What time should I pick you up?”
“I’ll be at the ranch,” she says and swallows hard. “You can pick me up at your brother’s at eight.”
“Done. Is it fancy?”
She grins, clearly excited. “Hell yes, it’s fancy.”
“I figured.” I nod, and it takes every fiber of strength to back away from her. “It’s a date. But I’ll see you at Ryan’s in a couple of days for Christmas. Right?”
“Yes. Daisy’s excited to spend the day with your family. If it’s okay with you, that is.”
“Of course, it’s okay. I’ll see you there. Call me if you need anything.”
She nods. “Thank you.”
I hate this sudden awkwardness between us. It wasn’t there last night when we were taking care of Daisy and talking the night away.
But today, my insecurities are back. I feel like an ass.
And suddenly, Abbi moves quickly, closing the gap between us, and wraps her arms around me in a hug, pressing that gorgeous, curvy body against me. It’s not a desperate hug.
It’s…sweet.
“Aside from Daisy,” she murmurs softly, “I don’t hug very much. But this is nice.”
“Yeah.” I kiss the top of her head and wish with all my might that I could retire today. “This is nice.”
CHAPTER SIX
ABBI
“Oh, my gosh!” Daisy bounces with excitement, hugging Holly as they both celebrate their shiny new Christmas presents with hugs and dancing. “We both got new bikes!”
Erin and I had the bikes delivered here, to Ryan’s house, and Jake offered to put them together for the girls so they’d be by the tree, waiting for them when we arrived.
The Wilds decided to gather at Ryan and Polly’s for Christmas, rather than at the family farmhouse, because they’ve added so many members to the clan over the past couple of years, and this house is big. The tree in the main living room has to be thirty feet tall.
And it’s decorated, from the tippy top to the bottom with shiny, glittery balls and lights.
Polly said that a company came in to do most of it and that she, Ryan, and Jake decorated the bottom few limbs with special ornaments.
I thought that was sweet.
“I got a scooter,” Johnny adds, doing his own happy dance.
“We want to ride,” Holly announces.
“It’s a little too snowy for that,” Erin reminds her. “Sorry, baby.”
“We have a shop that’s pretty much empty,” Jake says with a wink. “Come on, you guys, I’ll take you out so you can ride.”
“Yay!” Daisy yells as the three kids follow Jake out the back door. The young man has a red bike under one arm and a purple one under the other, carrying them as if they weigh nothing at all, and Johnny follows behind with his scooter.
The shop is only a few yards away, and knowing Ryan, I’m sure it’s heated, so they’re fine running over with just boots and jackets.
“I got you something,” Brady says quietly as he sits on the couch next to me, passing me a box wrapped in red with a gold bow.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” I reply softly as my heart thuds. “You made Daisy’s year with the pink Stetson. She’ll never take it off.”
He laughs and continues to hold the small box out to me, so I accept it and rip the paper off.
Inside is a pair of teal fuzzy socks. And these are way better than the ones I usually get. They’re thick and lined with what looks like sherpa fuzziness, and I know without a doubt that they won’t get holes in the heels like the ones I usually buy myself.