Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“It must be hard moving an hour away from all of your friends and family,” Palmer speaks up. “Assuming you don’t have connections to Willow River.”
I shake my head. “No connections and no family.” No friends either, but I keep that to myself. I hope that changes with these ladies sitting around the table.
“I’m sorry.” Palmer’s face falls. “I shouldn’t have—” she starts, but I shake my head while holding up my hand to stop her apology.
“It’s okay. You didn’t offend me, and it’s not a big deal. Just something that has been, and always will be.” I shrug. I’m not lying. Sure, I’d love to have a big loving family, but I accepted long ago that’s not how my life’s going to play out. I have me, and I’m okay with that.
“So, how did the two of you meet?” Jade asks. There’s a sparkle in her eyes that tells me she already knows.
“Rushton,” I say, glancing over at Alyssa.
“Rush?” Ramsey asks.
“Yeah. I was at Gunderson’s hardware, trying to reach the fishing line from the top shelf. He came up on me, needing the same thing, and helped me out.”
“That’s not all. She had a flat, and Rush changed it for her. He told her to come to the shop to have it fixed. She came in a couple of weeks ago, and we exchanged numbers.”
All of the ladies seem to share a look. One that I don’t quite understand. I start to ask them, but a large guy I’ve never seen before leans over and kisses Alyssa from upside down.
When he stands, he smiles at her as if she’s his entire universe. “Just got here. Wanted to let you know I was here. Love you.” He kisses her again, waves to the group, and heads to a table in the back corner. I want to turn to watch him leave, but I think better of it.
“That’s Sterling, my fiancé.” Alyssa holds up her hand, flashing her engagement ring.
“I thought this was girls’ night?” I ask the table.
“It is, but we’re married to protective men. We drink and laugh and eat all the greasy bar food we want, and then when we’re ready to go, they make sure that we get home safe.”
“They do this every time?” I ask them. “Do they get mad when you drink?”
“No. Not at all,” Ramsey tells me. “They’re here to make sure we have our fun but get home safely. It’s the best of both worlds, really. We get to let loose knowing that we have someone here who’s going to look out for us. All of our guys come, and usually, a few, if not all, of the remaining single brothers end up showing up as well. We basically have guys' night and girls’ night at the same time and at the same place.”
“Wow. I’m not really sure what to say about that. My ex would have flipped his lid if I had gone out drinking with friends. Now that I think about it, it’s probably because he was sleeping with my best friend—excuse me, ex-best friend—behind my back.” There’s zero emotion in my voice. That’s something else I learned to do. Keep my emotions in check. Never let them see what their actions do to you.
The table erupts with outrage on my behalf. The ladies are not worried about how loud they’re being. They’re firing off insults to my ex left and right, and I hide my smile behind my beer. As I lower my glass, I’m about to tell them I’m over it, and I am. I’ve written them off, and I moved on. However, before I get the chance, the table is surrounded by very large, very handsome men with concerned looks on their faces.
“What happened?” The one who is standing behind Jade with his hands on her shoulder leans over to make eye contact with her. “Is it the baby?”
Jade turns to face him, offers him a smile, and pats his cheek. “Everything is fine. The baby is fine. We were just reacting to some news that Crosby told us.”
“Crosby?” His brow furrows.
“Hi.” I wave. “I’m Crosby.”
“Nice to meet you.” He nods.
“Boys,” Palmer speaks up. “Meet Crosby. Crosby, I’m going to point them out, but we don’t expect you to remember them all. This one is Orrin, married to Jade. Beside him is Heath. He’s not a Kincaid, but he is Piper’s baby daddy. His brother owns this fine establishment. Deacon”—she points to another man—“also, not a Kincaid, but married to Ramsey. My husband, Brooks.” She places her hand on her shoulder over his. “You’ve met Declan and Rushton.” I nod as I try to keep up. “Then we have Ryder, Archer, Maverick, and Merrick, the twins. You’re in luck that the gang’s all here tonight.”
I feel a body step in close behind me, and I turn to see Rushton standing there. His eyes immediately lock on mine. “I didn’t know you’d be here,” he says in greeting.