Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“Thank you,” I say, not bothering to correct her.
Drew and Sarah Beth aren’t my family, obviously, but it sure feels good to know the two of them are out there waiting for me. I play it tough most of the time, but I’m glad I’m not alone at my apartment right now, trying to fish a piece of corn out of my own booty and rolling the dice on expired antibiotics.
I dress carefully, but my wound already feels so much better. It makes me wonder how Wren’s doing. She said she got pecked in the backside, too, after all.
I shoot her a quick text, explaining what happened and warning her that Kyle is not only terrifying, but potentially diseased, and encourage her to call animal control in the morning.
She doesn’t reply right away, so I slip my phone into my purse and head out to the waiting room to find Drew already at the check-out window. I hurry over, nudging him away with my elbow. “Don’t you dare. I’ll pay for it. I’m the one who thought it would be a good idea to take on a wild turkey. I deserve to pay the price.”
“It’s already settled,” Drew says, tucking his wallet into the back pocket of his dress pants. He’s still wearing his work clothes—dark gray dress pants and a blue button-down shirt with a deeper blue tie—and looks good enough to eat. I still prefer him in cozy flannel and jeans that hug those incredible thighs of his, but there’s something to be said for fancy Drew, too.
He arches a brow and I clear my throat; afraid I’ve been caught staring. “Well, thank you,” I say, forcing my gaze to stay fixed on his face. “I appreciate it. And I’ll pay you back as soon as I get my first paycheck. My employer is good for it. I promise.”
“I don’t want your money,” he says, leading the way back to where Sarah Beth is deep in play at the toy train table in the corner. “What I want is a promise you’ll stay away from Wren’s place until we get this situation sorted. I called Barrett while you were back getting check out. He drove home to get his shotgun and headed out to Wren’s house, but I don’t know if the mission was successful yet.”
Hmmm, Barrett is over at Wren’s place, and she isn’t responding to texts.
Interesting…
But I know better than to express that to Drew. Wren trusted me with her secret and I’m not about to betray her. So, I simply nod, and promise, “Absolutely. I have no urge to get another piece of corn stuck in my backside.”
He huffs. “Corn?”
“Yep. Corn. Feed corn. Seems like someone’s been feeding Kyle.”
Drew makes a considering sound. “That would make sense. Probably part of why he’s lost his fear of humans.”
“Hopefully he’s nicer to whoever’s feeding him than he is to Wren or me. Wren got pecked on the backside yesterday, too, but hopefully Kyle didn’t break the skin that time. I sent her a text to warn her that he’s got a nasty, dirty bird mouth, just in case.”
“Nasty dirty bird mouth,” Drew repeats, his lips curving. “Band name?”
“A metal band, maybe,” I say, grinning.
“We’re Nasty Dirty Bird Mouth, you’ve been great Chicago,” he says into a fake microphone, making me laugh. He smiles. “You seem better.”
“I feel better. Thank you for making me come here. You were right.”
His chest puffs up. “That’s the kind of a thing a guy likes to hear.”
I grin. “Yeah? You enjoy praise?”
“Only when I deserve it,” he says, holding my gaze for a beat too long, making heat rise in my cheeks again and my thoughts turn to how worthy of praise he was the other night.
“Daddy, I’m starving,” a little voice says from inches away, making Drew and I both jump and laugh. “Are you okay, Tatum?”
“Sorry, honey,” Drew says, as I assure her, “I am, thanks. Sorry I kept you guys from your dinner.”
“It’s okay, we were having grilled chicken,” Sarah Beth says, sticking out her tongue in a “yuck” face. “But we can’t now. It’s too late to cook it, right, Daddy?”
Drew narrows his eyes on her face. “You’re getting way too clever, kiddo. I’m not going to be able to get away with anything anymore, am I?”
Sarah Beth grins. “So, we can have pizza?”
“Sure,” Drew says. “Pizza for everyone, then back home to get ready for bed.” He glances my way. “Would you want to sleep over? I have fresh sheets on the guest room bed already. Might be good to have people nearby, just in case something goes wrong tonight.”
I don’t think anything is going to go wrong—I really do feel so much better—but I nod and say, “Thank you. I’d appreciate it.”
“Sleepover!” Sarah Beth crows, grabbing my hand and bouncing toward the door. “We’re having a sleepover!”