Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Lawson said, “We actually met the other night at Griff’s. I didn’t tell you because he said you didn’t know he was home yet. I apologize about that.”
“Oh, don’t you worry. That’s fine, Lawson Grant,” Mom replied, and he smiled, giving her a one-arm hug. Jealousy wrapped a fist around my heart. It was stupid. I knew it was. She was my mom, and she loved me, but again, I saw that she and Lawson had a relationship we didn’t have anymore, one I desperately wanted back but was afraid of at the same time.
“That, um…salad was good. Are you sure you don’t want me to pay? I should probably head out.” I wiped my face with my napkin before setting it down.
Mom frowned. “No, not at all. You’re not paying.”
“Okay. Dinner, then,” I said again.
“The restaurant closes at two, and then after we clean up around here, I have to run to the hardware store to pick up a few things. Knox has put them aside for me. I’m going to build some new flower boxes.”
“I’ll pick it up for you,” I told her, and it really had nothing to do with the lumberjack, even though it wouldn’t be bad on the eyes to see him again.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Things were obviously slightly stilted between us.
“Absolutely.”
Lawson nodded at me weirdly, and then Mom and I said this awkward goodbye where we almost hugged but didn’t. It wasn’t until I was outside that I realized I had no fucking clue where the hardware store was or what it was called.
One Google search later, I had my answer. Knox’s Hardware. I jumped into my car and put my sunglasses on, for what turned out to literally be a three-minute drive. Small towns were weird. I parked along the side of the natural-wood building that looked like it belonged in a Wild West movie. Ugh. It was cute. I didn’t know why I thought it was cute. Maybe because I knew there was a bearded lumberjack inside.
I headed in, and the second I did, I spotted Knox saying goodbye to a customer. There was another worker stocking shelves.
“Do you wear flannel?” I asked Knox, pushing my sunglasses on top of my head.
He shook his dark hair out of his face, his brows pinched together. “Huh?”
“Flannel. Do you wear it?” I’d never been real big on it, but I could imagine Knox wearing it. I’d probably think that was hot.
I could see when he understood where I was going with this. He frowned and crossed his arms, which made the sleeves of his shirt tighten against the muscles there. Oh, he had great arms and nice hands. I loved hands. Straight, straight, straight. Kellan said he’s straight.
“What is it with the lumberjack thing?” he asked, and I chuckled.
“So I’m not the first to ask?”
“No. Law just—You know what? Never mind. You’re the first person who’s asked me if I wear flannel. I put two and two together when you asked because calling me a lumberjack isn’t new.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Can I help you with something?”
There were so many things I wished I could say to that, but I wouldn’t, because I didn’t know him and he apparently didn’t do men. Such a shame. “Yeah, I’m here to pick up Mary Beth’s order.”
“Oh yeah. I can check you out, and we’ll get the stuff out to your vehicle.”
Don’t say anything about checking me out, don’t say anything about checking me out. “Deal,” I replied because I didn’t trust myself to say more than one word without making a joke.
“She called to pay over the phone,” the dude stocking the shelves said.
I rolled my eyes. Damn it. I’d wanted to take care of that for her.
“Thanks, Hank. I swear I’m all over the place today.”
“It’s to be expected,” Hank replied. Obviously, I was curious what they were talking about, but it wasn’t like Knox knew me. I had no reason to be all up in his business.
“I’m going to take this stuff out to his car, and then I’m heading out. Thanks for closing for me today,” Knox told Hank.
“No problem.”
Knox began to walk toward the back of the store, and I followed, saying, “Oh, hey, Callum, right this way. Come with me. Okay, Knox, no worries.”
He stopped suddenly, and I slammed into his back with an umpf.
“Your brake lights are out,” I joked. A tease of a smile curled his lips before he evened them out again. Knox didn’t want to think I was funny, but he did.
“Sorry, like I told Hank. Crazy day.” He began walking again.
“Is everything okay? I mean, I know we don’t know each other, but when I actually shut up, I’m a pretty good ear.”
He looked over at me, and this time he did smile, before rubbing his beard with his hand and covering it. “Yeah, it’s okay. My son, he lives in Colorado with his mom. He’s been having some trouble, and I’m flying out today to pick him up. He asked to come and live with me.”