Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
He hands me a fork, and I happily take it.
“Not that I need rescuing, but you always have my back when I need it the most,” I admit, digging in.
“You’d do it for me.”
“Very true.” I let out a moan as I finish one side of the biscuit that’s still warm. Maize’s cooking hits the spot, and I’m already feeling like a new human. “This is delicious.”
“I know. I had a plate or two before coming back.”
As I eat every bite of the food, Payton places my dress and heels in a bag. I clean up my mess, then he gives me a pair of his oversized flip-flops to wear when he drives me home to change. No way am I going to the stables dressed like I’m doing a drunken walk of shame.
When he turns into the long driveway, I notice my dad’s truck is gone, which means my parents are either at the training facility or eating at the B&B. Though it wouldn’t matter if they were home or not because I come and go as I please, even if Dad still jokes about grounding me. It’s been nice living with them because they live close to the training facility and only ten minutes from Payton.
Payton parks, then follows me inside my house.
The house is pitch black except for a small lamp that’s warmly glowing in the living room. On days like this, I wish I could just crawl into bed and sleep until the afternoon, but that’s just not reality when working on a ranch.
I push open my bedroom door and allow Payton inside. After grabbing some jeans, a T-shirt, and my boots, I make my way to the bathroom to change and brush my wild, tangled hair. Even though I’m sluggish, and my head is killing me, I somehow manage to look presentable. I grab some water and medicine for my hangover.
When I step into my room to ask Payton if he’s ready, I see him standing by my desk. He’s holding a piece of paper in his hand.
“What’s all this?” He turns to face me, his lips turned into a frown.
I move closer because I have so much scattered around that I’m not sure what he’s referring to. As soon as I see the header on the page, I smirk. He’s found my sperm bank printouts.
“Just searching for my future baby daddy.”
He raises a curious brow.
“I’ve wanted a family for as long as I can remember. I’ve watched all my cousins and brothers fall in love and start their families. I know it’s cliché as fuck, but I can’t help feeling like my life is passing me by with no real purpose.” I’ve never said those words out loud to anyone.
“Kate,” he says softly.
I think about my failed attempts at relationships and how tired I am of waiting for Mr. Right. “You know dating hasn’t worked out for me, Payton. And I get it. I’m not girlfriend material, but I can’t let that stop me from getting what I want. It took me a long time to decide on this, and I like to call it my new and improved plan A. I’m convinced that if I don’t take matters into my own hands, I’ll never get the chance to be a mom. I’m not getting any younger.”
I swallow hard, realizing I’ve said too much, something he should be used to by now.
Wanting to shift the conversation away from my inability to find a man, I take the pages, clear my throat, then read the first one out loud. “Age thirty. Blond hair. Blue eyes. Athletic build. Engineer. Enjoys fishing and getting his hands dirty.” I smirk at him. “Doesn’t this sound like the perfect guy? He’s my age, intelligent, patient enough to fish, and a hard worker.”
Payton’s crystal-blue eyes peer into mine, and I have to look away before the intensity burns my skin.
“I don’t understand how this works,” he finally speaks up.
“There are donor websites where women can search for specific characteristics. Just think of it like a build-a-baby. You get detailed descriptions and even sound clips of their voices sometimes. I seriously listened to them for hours one night while polishing off some Fireball. Their slogan should be, get pregnant with no strings attached.” I laugh, and Payton smiles, but I think it’s just to appease me. It’s obvious he’s tense by his clenched jaw.
“I think I’m at a loss for words.”
“That’s okay. I don’t need you to say anything. It’s basically like what you guys do for the stud farm, but for humans. The goods are frozen and shipped straight to my door within two business days.” I glance at the pages again, then scatter them on my desk. “I’ve tried to narrow it down and study their baby pictures. They don’t show current photos for privacy reasons, so I’ve been using my imagination.”