Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
She had a point. But I didn’t want that stuff all over my house.
“You would have to hang your sculpture on the wall,” I stated. “And I don’t want holes in it.”
“I was going to use the outdoor hooks. Not drill something in. I have a brain, you know, Thorne.”
“We don’t need all that crap.”
“Not we. Me,” she stressed. “I want it.”
We stood toe-to-toe, glaring at each other. She was riled up, her chin stuck out, ready to go to war. Her eyes snapped in anger and I knew she thought she looked fierce, but she was utterly adorable. My lips twitched, and I had to look away.
“You find this funny?”
I couldn’t explain it, so I held my phone up to my eye level, turning on the camera and switching it so she could see the screen.
“What?” she snapped.
“Look at yourself from my perspective, Pixie.”
She frowned, staring up into the camera. “It’s just me.” She paused. “Okay, I look a little short.”
“Short?” I snorted. “With your little chin stuck out so far it’s almost pointed and how endearing you are when angry, I feel as if I’m arguing with one of Santa’s little helpers. One more word and I’ll be put on the naughty list.”
“It’s where you belong,” she muttered, then giggled. “I do look ridiculous from up there.”
I lowered my arm, and she took the camera, aiming it up at me. I knew I was a lot taller and bigger, but I loomed over her, irritated and scowling.
I tilted my head. “Do I scare you?”
“No, you annoy the shit out of me.”
“Back at you, Pixie. Or should I call you Elf?”
“I am not an elf, you giant ape!”
I leaned down. “That’s true. I’ve never seen an elf with a spectacular rack like yours.”
Her mouth curved upward, and she struggled to say mad.
“That’s it,” she informed me, her voice haughty. “You’re on the naughty list—permanently.”
I started to laugh, and so did she. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. “Fine, Pixie, you win. We’ll go get your shit. But only one urn. I don’t want one.”
“But the porch will look lopsided.”
I sighed as we walked back into the garden center. “Fine. But you look after them. The plants die, not my fault.”
She hugged my arm. “Okay.”
I muttered something about being whipped, but the truth was, I didn’t really care. I liked being bossed around by Casey.
“And no more throwing me over your shoulder,” she demanded.
“I dunno,” I mused. “I like you over my shoulder. Makes walking places go quicker.” I smirked down at her teasingly. “Those little legs of yours don’t go very fast.”
“You like my legs. Especially when they’re wrapped around your waist.”
I winked at her. “True enough.”
She grinned. “Funny Jesse is back.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I’m sure growling Thorne will show up again later, but I’ll deal with him then,” she said with a wink. “For now, I win.”
I let her think that.
Chapter Twenty-Three
CASEY
Iwas glad Jesse decided to build the herb garden boxes instead of me. There was much more to it than I’d thought. He set up some workhorses in the backyard as well as his table saw. He had all sorts of tools I had no idea how to use. He sketched out a better rendering than mine then started cutting and measuring.
I got bored quickly. He let me hold the wood as he cut boards to lengths and assured me I was helping, but I was pretty sure I was being more of a hindrance with all my questions.
“I’ll go make lunch,” I suggested.
“Great,” he replied, measuring a piece of wood and checking his drawing.
“I’ll poke around the garden and stay out of your way.”
“Mm-hmm,” he agreed absently.
“I’ll hang some more wind chimes while you’re busy.”
“Sure.”
Then he stopped. “Wait. What now?”
I laughed. “Gotcha.”
He swatted my butt. “Go get me lunch.”
I made sandwiches, and he took a break, eating and sipping the iced tea I’d made.
“Do you think you’ll really get it done this afternoon?” I asked.
He nodded, wiping his mouth. “I have the legs set and level. I’ll build the boxes and attach them. Tomorrow, we can line them before I go to work. You can stay busy and out of trouble while I’m gone and plant stuff.”
I ignored his words. “The open house at the station is Friday?”
“Yeah. Ten to three. You still gonna come?”
“Of course. I’d love to. Martha will be there, right?”
“Yep. Mark, the other guys.” He frowned as if a thought had occurred to him, and I was sure I knew what it was.
“It’s okay, Jesse. You don’t have to introduce me to people. I’ll wander around and introduce myself.”
“I wasn’t worried about that. I was thinking about something else. I can introduce you as my tenant, my neighbor, my friend. Any of those works.”
“So just not fuck buddy?”
He shook his head. “You’re incorrigible. If you want to send Martha to the hospital or one of the other old biddies who will show up like they do every year, that’s your business.” He winked. “Pretty sure they’ll tell you that you can do better.”