Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Why are two of the most handsome men in the room standing off here in the corner?” Timberlynn asked as she walked up to us.
“I don’t know about Maverick, but I’m hiding.”
Timberlynn’s eyes went wide. “From what? Or should I ask from whom?”
Nathan glanced around the room and practically shrank back into himself. “I’m hiding from Haven Larson.”
Looking over her shoulder, Timberlynn asked, “Why?”
“Don’t look at her, Mom!” Nathan whisper-shouted.
Whipping her head back to face us, Timberlynn gave her son a questioning look. “Again, why are you hiding from her?”
“She keeps asking me to dance.”
“And that’s a bad thing?” Timberlynn asked as I tried not to smile. Little Haven Larson wasn’t the type of girl I pictured chasing after a boy relentlessly. As a matter of fact, I’d seen her ask Nathan if he’d like to dance just once. When he said no, she turned and walked away with a shrug.
“Yes! She’s obsessed with dogs! And cooking.”
That time, I did laugh. “And what’s wrong with liking dogs and cooking?”
“I second Maverick’s question.”
Sighing, he said, “All she talks about is how she’s going to run her own business someday, and it will revolve around dogs. Why would anyone make a living with dogs?”
Timberlynn and I exchanged a confused look.
“I hate dogs, Mom.”
“Since when?” Timberlynn asked.
“I mean, I love our two dogs and the ranch dogs, but I don’t like other dogs. Remember that one dog that tried to bite my hand off? I’ll never forget the look in his eyes. He was ready to tear me limb from limb.”
Timberlynn’s mouth fell open, and she blinked at her son for a good thirty seconds before placing her hands on her hips and tilting her head in question. I imagined that was the look most mothers gave their kids when they were exasperated by them.
“Do you mean the little Yorkie you tried to feed a piece of bacon to…when you were seven years old?”
“That dog wasn’t little. And it bit me!”
Rolling her eyes, she smirked at me before drawing a deep breath, then focused back on Nathan. “Son, that dog didn’t weigh more than five pounds. It nipped your finger, and you screamed bloody hell, causing the poor dog to bark at you. She ran and hid behind her owner’s purse!”
I coughed to cover up my laugh.
Nathan glared at me. “You weren’t there. You didn’t see how ferocious that dog was.”
“For the love,” Timberlynn whispered.
“Oh God! She’s coming this way now. Thanks a lot, Mom!”
“What did I do?”
Before Nathan could say another word, Haven appeared. She smiled, revealing the two dimples in her cheeks. They made her look adorable.
“Hi, Mrs. Shaw,” Haven said with a wide grin.
“Hi, Haven, sweetheart. And please, call me Timberlynn.”
She nodded. When she turned to look at Nathan, her smile slipped a bit. Then she turned to me and her smile grew bigger. “Hey, Maverick.”
With a nod, I replied, “How are you, Haven?”
“I’m okay, but I have a favor. My friends dared me to ask you to dance, and Rory—the one with the super-white hair—said there’s no way a guy as handsome as you would dance with a girl like me.”
I frowned. “What does she mean, a girl like you?”
“What a little bi—”
“Mom!” Nathan quickly interrupted Timberlynn.
“Haven,” I said as I deposited my beer on a table, then held out my hand. “I would be honored if you’d allow me to dance with you for the next song.”
Her smile erupted once again, and her cheeks turned red. “You’re asking me?”
Nathan groaned, and Haven shot him a dirty look. Ignoring him, I went on, “Yes, I am. Care to dance?”
She placed her tiny hand in mine. “I’d love to dance, thank you so much!”
As we headed out to the dance floor, I watched as Haven turned back around, but not to look at her friends—instead, to give Nathan a smirk. Somehow, I got the feeling I’d just been duped.
Once we were on the dance floor, I asked, “Is this dance for Rory or for Nathan?”
The cheeky little thing winked. “Both.”
I tossed my head back and laughed. “Good Lord, Nathan better hold on tight with you.”
Her answering grin made me laugh even harder.
As I spun Haven around on the dance floor, I couldn’t help but notice Nathan—as well as Timberlynn and Lily—watching us. Lily must have joined them after I’d left. Both women wore smiles, and Nathan was shooting me…or Haven, or possibly both of us…daggers.
Haven looked up at me. “Is he watching us?”
“Oh yes, indeed, he is.”
“I know you’re way too old for me, Maverick, but thank you for dancing with me.”
My brows rose. “I’m glad you realize that.”
“You have no idea how many women lust after you.”
That statement caused me to trip.
“Oh, sorry! Did I step on your foot or something?”
“Um, no. You caught me off guard by your, er…by what you said.”