Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35291 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35291 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Not a real one. Growing up, "family time" meant strategy sessions about my brand. Analyzing engagement metrics over dinner. Planning content calendars instead of vacations.
But watching the Boone brothers together in Beau's garage is like seeing a foreign species in their natural habitat. They roast each other mercilessly, work in perfect synchronization, and protect each other with a ferocity that makes my chest ache.
"So someone’s finally got our grumpy brother smiling," says Cade, the wilderness guide I met briefly yesterday. He's leaning against a tool cabinet, arms crossed, studying me like I'm a puzzle he's trying to solve. "About time someone came along to tame the beast."
"He smiles?" I tease, glancing at Beau where he's bent over inspecting the engine of a Buick. "I hadn't noticed."
"Smart ass," Beau mutters, coming out from under the hood, but I catch the corner of his mouth twitching. He points at his brother. “You shouldn’t even fucking be here. Don’t you have a job? And you...” He turns to Jack. “You suddenly have an interest in learning a new trade? Fucking Dolores can’t keep a secret to save the world from a meteorite.”
Jack, the oldest after Beau, shoots him a look, but ignores him and steps my way. He’s more controlled than the rest. Everything feels calculated.
"Welcome to Wildfire," he says simply, offering his hand. "Any friend of Beau's is family to us. Fair warning though: he's got that protective Daddy streak.” He leans down playfully. “Runs in the family."
He was the only brother here when we came in. But it didn’t take long for the other two to arrive, smiling, through the back door of the garage.
"Thank you," I manage, shaking his hand and trying not to cry because they all feel so… genuine.
Colt, the sheriff, stands to the side of the Buick as Beau disappears under the hood again, holding a phone, eyes scanning. He doesn’t talk much but he watches everything. All four of these Boone boys hit the genetic jackpot, that’s all I have to say. Although there’s something extra about Beau... He’s old enough maybe to be my father, but man, all my daddy issues have centered themselves right on top of my clit and are doing a hell of a tap dance.
"She knows her way around an engine, too," Beau says, and the pride in his voice makes my stomach flutter. He talks about me like I'm something precious he wants to show off. "Next time you have a transmission problem, ask her."
When we came in, I couldn’t help but pause at the two cars on ramps. I blurted something dumb about the Buick’s V6, outing myself as the nerd I am. Beau must’ve filed it away, the same way he seems to file away everything I say.
"I'm book smart, as they say," I deflect, heat crawling up my neck. "Little practical experience. I could probably talk you through advanced robotics, but I've never actually touched a soldering iron."
"No shit? Beauty, brains, and modesty." Cade raises his eyebrows, turning my way. “You sure you’ve met my brother Beau? Have you hit your head recently? Taken magic mushrooms?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Beau snaps, lifting his head so fast he bangs it against the edge of the open car hood. “And stop looking at her.”
Cade and Jack both snort.
“I’m gonna get some coffee.” Cade hides his smile behind his hand, walking away.
“Leave a fifty next to the coffee maker,” Beau grunts, but Cade answers with a middle finger behind his back.
“She’s way above your pay grade, brother, but congrats,” Jack says, then turns my way. “And my sympathies. My wife will explain it all to you. The Boone boys know what they want and don’t take no for an answer. We also are known to be bossy.”
Heat crawls up my neck.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Then again.
I ignore it.
"So, you thinking about sticking around?" Jack asks, settling onto a stool with the easy confidence of someone who's always belonged somewhere. "Been awhile since we last had a new sister to spoil."
The question catches me off guard.
Am I sticking around? Is he saying I would be a new sister-in-law?
Jesus, Wildfire is wilder than I thought. I barely know Beau Boone, and his brother thinks we’re already destined to walk down the aisle.
When I got here, I was running from everything I'd ever known. Now I'm standing in a garage in the middle of nowhere, wearing clothes that smell like motor oil, and feeling more myself than I have in years.
"Maybe," I admit. "It's peaceful here."
Another buzz from my pocket. That's three in quick succession. I have three bars here in town, I could call…
I glance at the texts, seeing Ethan’s name, and my heart starts to thunder. I can’t face it, can’t face all the bullshit with my parents and the social media. Even for Ethan, I can’t do it. The spinning feeling starts again inside my head.