Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“I know that,” he snapped before shaking his head. What was going on with him? He shouldn’t be snapping at Derek just because his brain was in turmoil, warring against his instincts. He should leave. But he wanted to stay. “I need to get going.”
“Sure. We’ll see you soon.”
Well. What did he mean by that? But before he could question the other man, Phoebe skipped up to him. Well, he assumed she was trying to skip, but her boots made it difficult, and she tumbled into him.
“Oomph!” she cried. “I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?”
“As if you could hurt me, little girl.” Damn it. There he went again. He straightened her up, then took a step back. Was that a hint of sadness in her eyes? If there was, it was gone as quick as it appeared.
“Um, well,” she said awkwardly as she straightened her clothes. “Thanks for stopping to help me. And for dropping me off here. You’re like a Knight in Pressed Pants.”
He had no idea if that was a compliment or not. “You are welcome. But in the future, you will not drive anywhere without first making certain that your phone is fully charged.”
Her eyes widened. “I won’t?”
“You will not.”
“Um. Okay.”
“Good girl,” he praised her. “I also want your word that you will wear a jacket when you are outside.”
“I suppose I can do that.”
“Good.”
“Um. Yes. Good.” She rubbed her head. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”
“Goodbye.” He forced himself to turn and walk out the door. A feeling of wrongness hit him as he stepped outside.
Why was he leaving her? Should he stay? No. There was no real reason for him to stay.
“Barren! Barren, wait!”
He turned to see Phoebe running toward him. In bare feet! What was she thinking?
“Where are your boots?” he demanded.
“I took them off. I can’t run in them. Here, you forgot your jacket.”
“You could have kept the jacket, sweetheart,” he told her, taking it. He actually liked the idea of her keeping it, wearing something from him.
“That… that wasn’t the only reason I ran to catch up with you,” she told him. “I owe you an apology.”
His eyebrows rose. “What do you mean? Why?”
“Because you apologized for calling me Little girl which means I should apologize. Because I liked it.”
“You did?” he asked.
“Yes.” She twisted her fingers together. “Are you sure it’s safe to drive? It’s getting late.”
He felt a surge of something toward her affection? Attraction? He should go. He’d packed his bags, changed his flight, and Melly was expecting him in the office in the morning. But here was this girl looking up at him with concern in her gaze. For him? Or was she nervous about staying here?
“I know you’re nervous, but the people here are going to take care of you.”
“Oh, you’re right. I’m so sorry. I’m being selfish. Please drive carefully and don’t worry about me!”
She turned away, starting to run back inside and he couldn’t stand it. He didn’t want things to end like this. With her running off from him.
“Phoebe, wait!” He half expected her to ignore him and keep running. But to his relief, she turned and stared back at him.
“Yes?”
“I’m actually tired and hungry. I thought I might stay for dinner and leave early in the morning.” He’d likely have to get up very early to make his flight. But any lack of sleep was worth it to see the smile on her face.
CHAPTER 5
What was she going to wear? Phoebe threw the clothes out of her suitcase in a rush. She didn’t look where they landed. She didn’t have time for that. She had a date.
Okay… okay… it was a… a friendship date. A thank you to her Knight in Pressed Pants for rescuing her. It was so romantic when she thought about it… but this wasn’t a romantic dinner and she needed to get that out of her head.
Chill. Calm or you’re going to make an idiot of yourself.
She hadn’t brought anything formal to wear. Everything in her suitcase was more playful and fun. It was what she preferred to wear even if some of her brothers rolled their eyes at her choice of wardrobe.
It hurt that they didn’t understand her. That they constantly wanted her to change and grow up. But that was a big part of the reason she’d come here to Rawhide so she could just be herself without worrying about anyone judging her. Without anyone trying to change her.
Acceptance was just a big thing for her. It was all she wanted from her family and something that she rarely felt. Finally, she decided to wear her favorite white T-shirt dress with a red jacket and some pretty, glittery red shoes.
Everything was better with a bit of glitter. She kept her hair up in pigtails but put some glittery eyeshadow on and some bright red lipstick. A knock on the door had her rushing over and opening it.