Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 100853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Chapter Six
PAIGE
Asmile stretched wide across my face as I strode down Main Street in Sawyers Bend. I held in my hands a pretty shopping bag with twine handles and an artfully designed logo. Inside was a stash of cookies from Sweetheart Bakery for Hope and a raspberry oatmeal bar for me. Along with treats, I was carrying another small bag, an even smaller box inside, containing a gorgeous pair of garnet earrings I couldn’t resist from one of the local shops.
It wasn’t my day off, but the older kids were in school and I wasn’t on deck for pickup. Baby Stella was with Hope, who had a light day of work—no meetings—and wanted to spend it keeping her daughter close. I’d had a few errands to run in town, and when they were done, I couldn’t resist playing tourist and doing a little shopping.
I was on my way back to my car, feeling rather pleased with myself. All was right in my world. Mostly. I was ping-ponging between denial about that white-hot kiss with Ford Sawyer the night before and wondering if it was going to happen again. It shouldn’t. I knew that. Absolutely not, of course. It had been completely inappropriate. He was my employer’s brother. Possibly a murderer.
I’d told myself all of this a million times, and they were all excellent reasons why a repeat was off the table. Except weighing heavily on the other side of the scale was the previously mentioned white-hotness of that kiss. I was having a hard time putting that part aside.
But this afternoon I had promised myself I wasn’t going to think about kissing anyone. I was shopping and enjoying the pretty town and the gorgeous winter weather. I’d thought the mountains of Western North Carolina would be cold, and I’d been told they would be. But on a sunny day in early December, the chill in the air was merely brisk, the skies an electric blue, the evergreens vibrant, and I had the feeling that I was exactly where I belonged. Finally. It had been a long time since I was genuinely happy. Not since Paris, before my mother got sick.
I’d parked on a side street, enjoying that while the town was still busy enough to keep the shop owners happy, tourism had dwindled just enough that finding a parking spot wasn’t a headache. I slid behind the wheel, dropped my parcels on the passenger seat, and hit the start button.
The engine made a strangled coughing sound and fell silent. No welcoming rumble. No heat blasting from the vents. Just that sad, abrupt cough. I tried again. This time, I got nothing.
I sat there for a long minute, staring at the dashboard. I didn’t know anything about cars. I thought about getting out and lifting the hood—but really, what was the point? All I’d see was an engine, and I had no clue what to do with one of those.
Fuck.
I’d bought the car used without a roadside assistance package and had meant to sign up for AAA or something similar, but I’d never gotten around to doing it. I tried one more time, putting my foot on the brake and pressing the start button. Again, nothing. Picking up my phone, I called Hope. She answered on the second ring.
“Paige, what’s up? Everything okay?”
“Not exactly. My car won’t start. I’m parked on Chestnut, and when I got back and tried to start the engine… I don’t know what’s wrong, but it’s dead. Any chance I could get a ride home?”
“Of course,” Hope said, reminding me of one of the many reasons I loved working for the Sawyers. “Let me think for a second. I’m stuck here for the moment. A call got rescheduled, and it’s starting in a few minutes. Let me see who I can send to pick you up. I’ll call you right back.”
“Perfect, thanks.”
The call disconnected, and I waited, knowing I probably wouldn’t have to wait long. Hope and Griffen were two of the most considerate people I’d ever worked for. They wouldn’t leave me stranded. The phone rang a few minutes later. Hope again.
“Hey Paige, sorry about this. It turns out we’re a little shorthanded around here, but Ford and Finn are at Sawyers Bend Brewing. Ford said he’s scheduled to head back to the Manor in about forty-five minutes or so. You’re only a few blocks away if you’re parked on Chestnut. Do you mind walking over there and hitching a ride with them? Hawk said he’s sorry he can’t get you himself, and if you give him your keys when you get back here, he’ll send somebody to bring your car into the shop to make up for the trouble.”
“That’s so thoughtful. Yeah, I don’t mind catching a ride with Ford and Finn,” I lied. I did mind, but I wasn’t going to tell Hope why, and it was sweet of her to be concerned about the inconvenience. I didn’t want to make it worse. “Thanks, Hope. Are you okay with having Stella for your call?”