Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Not in your car with this snow coming down. I promise, I don’t mind at all. Let’s go ahead and close up shop.”
I start shutting down my computer and putting everything away. I can’t wait to surprise Cane. I’m actually excited to help out at the tree farm. I’m waiting on Tom and I pull my phone out and send Sugar a text.
Hey, I’m just checking in. Call me or text me. Let me know you’re okay. Merry Christmas!
I wait for her to respond. Usually she gets right back to me. I’m worried about her and I don’t know what I can do to help her. I hope she responds soon.
When Tom walks out of his office, asking if I’m ready to go, I put my phone away and follow him out to his truck.
Tom drives me out to the tree farm and when we park, he helps me down from his truck and we walk into the entrance. Cane sees us immediately.
Cane stops before he gets to me. I can see the hesitancy on his face, and I’m a little surprised by it. He’s eyeing Tom and I’m quick to make introductions. “Cane, this is Tom. We work together. He offered to bring me over to help you today.”
As I introduce them, I walk away from Tom’s side and stand next to Cane. He holds his hand out and shakes it, thanking him for bringing me.
“He’s going to pick up his mom a wreath while he’s there,” I explain further, still not sure what to make of Cane being so subdued.
“Great. Pick whichever one you want. It’s on the house. Thanks for bringing my girl to me.” He puts his arm around me and tugs me to him.
Tom’s eyebrows raise, but he merely nods approvingly. “Sure, anytime. Candy knows I’d do anything for her.”
Tom winks at me and tells me he’ll see me after Christmas before walking off. Cane’s hand grips me tighter. When I look up at him, he asks me, “Friends, huh?”
“Yes, just friends. He’s in love with our boss,” I assure him.
“That’s good, honey, ‘cause I have to admit, when you walked in with him, I didn’t like it.”
I interrupt him. “He offered to give me a ride.”
He nods. “I know, and I appreciate it, but I still don’t like it.”
His arms go around me and grip my lower back, pulling me against him. I should probably be bothered with how possessive he is, but I can’t get the smile off my face, because I actually love his overprotective ways.
I go up on my tiptoes, reaching for him. “Kiss me, Cane.”
“With pleasure, honey.”
His lips press against mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, trying to get as close to him as I can when we both have on bulky jackets. My mouth opens, granting him access, and his tongue sweeps through my mouth. My heart beats triple-time, and even though it’s cold out, heat fills me. He pulls me up until my feet are barely touching the ground. I turn my head to the side, deepening the kiss, and I feel almost dizzy with all the surreal sensations traveling through my body.
“DAD’S KISSING A GIRL! I’m going to go tell Mom!” I hear a scream from beside us and I rip my lips from Cane. When I look to where the noise come from, I see a little boy running away as fast as his little legs will carry him.
I gasp and jerk out of his arms, landing on my feet with a thud. “You’re married! You have a kid!”
He reaches for me, but I jerk from his grasp.
“Candy, wait,” he pleads. “It’s not what you think.”
I shake my head. I feel almost sick to my stomach and pain fills my heart. I start walking toward the entrance, hoping and praying that Tom hasn’t left yet. Wouldn’t that be something, getting trapped at the tree farm again?
When I walk to the parking lot, his truck is already gone. I pull out my phone and open the Uber app.
Cane comes out behind me, holding out a hand. “Candy, you have to listen to me. Just let me explain.”
I twirl around and can’t stop the tears rolling down my cheeks. I yell at him, hatred filling my voice. “No. I should have known you were too good to be true. You’re a cheater, Cane. And a liar. And I don’t ever want to see you again.”
He stares back at me and if I wasn’t so mad, so heartbroken, the look on his face would have me softening.
He responds in a soft voice, void of any emotion. “Uber is not going to come out here in this snow. I’ll have someone bring around a truck to take you home.”
He turns on his heel and walks back into the tree farm, leaving me standing in the falling snow.