Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
If he can pretend my brother doesn’t exist, I can too.
* * *
* * *
“There are a lot of grizzlies around this part,” Dad grunts to Logan. “Your people would do well to remember that.”
Logan, with his muscular arms crossed over his chest, nods at my father. “Appreciate the heads-up. We do what we can, but until we make a permanent settlement somewhere, we’re pretty exposed. It’s the children we worry about most.”
If that was Dad’s hint to offer them to stay within the fenced boundary, it went ignored. I suppress a sigh. My father doesn’t like people and the mention of children does nothing for his barricaded heart.
“We have some bear spray,” Rowdy offers. “More coming soon.”
Of course I know his cryptic answer means Uncle Atticus will be here soon, but Logan doesn’t know what to make of it.
“We’ll happily take you up on that offer.” Logan cocks his head as if listening for something. “Might even trade you one of the screaming toddlers from our group.”
Sure enough, we hear the screams of a child in the distance, no doubt the screaming toddler in question. Logan smirks at me, making sure I know he’s joking and not actually into human trafficking. I flash him a bright grin back.
While we wait for his people, Dad discusses where they can fetch some fresh water—down at the river. Our own rainwater collection and filtration system goes unmentioned. I guess Dad’s hospitality only goes so far.
“How’d you get all of this stuff?” Logan asks, gesturing toward the house, garden, and shed. “Looks like you have a fully functioning homestead. It’s not cheap nor something you can easily scrape together by scavenging mismatched materials. Those solar panels are top of the line.”
Dad bristles, not bothering to follow Logan’s critical stare to our rooftop. “I have money and means.”
Oh my God.
Dad is being insufferable and unwelcoming. Normally, I’m not one to step in and challenge my father, but since Ryder nor Raegan are around, someone has to do it.
“We have family in town. They bring us the supplies we need and check in on us from time to time.” I ignore both Rowdy’s and Dad’s glowering for my oversharing. “We give them a list and the next time they visit, they bring whatever we ask for.”
Logan cuts his eyes my way again, lips quirking on one side. I try to look away from his mouth, but it’s hard. I’m not an idiot or blind—well, not with my glasses at least—and can tell there’s something sparking between us.
“You really do have the ideal home here,” Logan says with a whistle of appreciation. “When we finally find our forever home, we hope to make it as nice as this. Who knows, if we’re not too far away, maybe we could even set up some sort of trade system.”
I cringe because I know Dad’s answer before he even says it.
“In case you misunderstood, I own the land as far as the eye can see in every direction and then some.” Dad ripples with irritation. “Unless you’re prepared to travel weeks to trade game for goat cheese, I’d say it looks like you’ll be on your own.”
Logan takes it in stride, not getting insulted. He flashes me another quick wink that has my blood running hot and straight south to my dick. Casually, I thread my fingers together and let them rest in front of my crotch so no one sees just how much this man affects me. Logan slightly lifts a brow, not oblivious like my father and brother, and smiles.
To everyone around us, it’s a friendly smile, but I see the dark, filthy glint in his eyes that promises more.
Holy shit.
Logan is into me. He’s really into me and it’s not a case of wishful thinking on my part. The urge to escape somewhere quiet with him is overwhelming. Would he kiss me? Would he work his large hand into my pants and stroke my cock?
I stifle a groan, only picking up pieces of the conversation that’s continued without me. They’re discussing the first snow of the year. Not a topic I even care about. I’d much rather daydream of ways to get Logan’s smiling lips around my dick.
A whistle, sharp and loud, pierces the air just outside the fence. Logan whistles back, three times in quick succession. Then, two men step through the gate. Dad and Rowdy tense, weapons ready if need be. The two men see Logan and nod, ambling their way toward us. As they approach, I can tell the one with ruddy dark red hair with streaks of silver is Logan and Jace’s dad while the man with auburn hair and the same silver on his head must be CJ’s dad. Opposite of their children, the two men don’t wear playful smiles.
Wariness of my family and their guns has them frowning. Both men are tense but don’t draw their own weapons or turn around and run.