Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“If you find that you need anything once you get settled, please let us know. Finn will be more than happy to help you, too.”
I resist the urge to scoff at my grandmother volunteering me.
“Will do. Thanks again for this opportunity. I hope I can do the farm justice. What I’ve seen so far has been awe-inspiring.”
“Oh, I have no doubt your creation will be incredible.”
“Ready?” I finally ask, knowing if I don’t pull her away now, Grandma will talk until the sun sets.
Oakley nods, and we walk to my truck.
“Do you want to stop by the bakery?” I ask as we open our doors. It’s within walking distance, so it wouldn’t take long.
“Nah. I’m pretty tired and need to unpack so I can set up my supplies tomorrow.”
“Yeah, you’ll want to rest up. We start bright and early around here.”
She takes her phone out and snaps pictures of the scenery and buildings between yawning and fighting the urge to close her eyes. The three-hour time difference between California and Vermont will catch up to her by morning.
Soon, I’m driving down the road where she’ll be staying. The cottage is close to my place but far enough away to give us each some privacy. It’s set out from the hustle and bustle of the orchard for a reason. When business partners or family friends visit, this is where they usually stay if the inn is booked.
“This is it,” I say, pulling up to the one-bedroom cabin that’s filled with all her shit.
“It looks lovely,” she tells me. “Nice and quiet too.”
I unlock the front door for her, then hand over the key. “Don’t lose this.”
“I won’t.”
I turn to leave once she steps inside.
“That’s it? You’re not even going to say good night?” she asks with a bite in her voice.
Spinning around to face her, I shrug. “Did you expect me to stay and read you a bedtime story?”
She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. “It’d be the most I’ve heard you talk all day.”
I ignore what she says. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover tomorrow so don’t keep me waiting in the morning. Six o’clock comes quick.”
Oakley places her hand on her hip, her bracelets clinking as they slide down her arm. “Getting up that early isn’t really my vibe, and I don’t like being rushed.”
“And I don’t like being late or behind. Not all of us are on vacation for ten days.”
“Vacation? This is far from that.” She gives me a death glare, and I think I might’ve actually offended her. Without waiting for a response, Oakley walks inside and slams the door.
I’m not here to entertain Miss Sunshine, and she needs to know if she’s following me around, I’m sticking to my schedule. There need to be boundaries between us, and they need to stay strictly professional. It wasn’t lost on me how she eye-fucked me at the airport. I know a smart, confident woman is trouble, and Oakley Benson is no exception.
CHAPTER THREE
OAKLEY
DAY 2
A hard pounding on the door jolts me awake. I look around, noticing it's still dark outside, then check the time–6:00 A.M.
“I'm coming,” I shout as the pounding grows louder. Stumbling, I trip over my duffel bag on the way to the door. I crack it open to see Finn glaring at me.
“What are you wearing?” he asks, and I notice his eyes slide down my body. I’m wearing nothing but a T-shirt and panties.
“I think it's called clothes,” I snap, followed by a yawn. It's brisk outside, and I shiver. These cool temperatures aren’t something I'm used to.
“Meet me in the truck in five minutes, or you're walking.” He turns around and storms off.
“That's not enough time to get dressed!”
“Shoulda set your alarm.” His boots crunch on the gravel as he escapes into the darkness. Seconds later, he crosses the headlights of the truck, and the metal door slams.
“God, I hate him,” I seethe as I turn on the lights, then rush toward my suitcase. I throw it on the bed and rustle through my clothes.
I was so damn exhausted after I settled in last night that I forgot to set my alarm. But he could give me a break, knowing I haven’t adjusted to the time difference. Jet lag is going to kick my ass today.
After I use the bathroom and pin my hair out of my face, I brush my teeth. My body is sore, and if I weren’t on a job, I’d crawl back in bed and sleep another twelve hours.
The mornings are usually my oasis, and I like to quietly wake up with Mother Nature. Most times, I meditate or stretch while brewing some tea, and then I spend an hour planning out the rest of my day.
My thoughts are in complete chaos when I hear him laying on the horn.