Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
“I’m leaving now.”
“That you are,” Mr. Knight snarls over the line. I look at Brooks, who shakes his head, but I just smile because it’s cute, and at least that means she has him there to protect her. The line goes dead, and I know one of them ended the call.
He turns his head briefly and looks at me with indignation. “They hung up the phone on me.”
“Well, they need to get to safety as soon as possible, so it’s for the best,” I reminded him. The weather had turned for the worst, and we had just left the storm’s path in time. I smiled at the ridiculousness because Honey had no idea the depths Mr. Knight would go through for her. He was risking everything to make sure she was safe.
“Why are you smiling?” he snarls at me.
“Your sister is too cute, and Mr. Knight is clearly smitten with her.”
He drives forward, jaw clenched through the rain, and finally says, “You’re not bothered by that?”
“Why would I be? I don’t have any interest in him despite what you think.” I hope he feels the daggers I’m shooting at him.
“I didn’t think that?” he mutters.
“For a politician, you’re a terrible liar.”
“That’s because I’m not a politician.”
“Could have fooled me, Mayor.”
“Sometimes…” he growls. I giggle, and then a loud crack in the air startles me, changing my mood. He reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. “It’s okay. It’s just some thunder and lightning.”
“I’m fine. Just out of the blue. Like popping open a can of biscuits.”
“A southern girl like you opening a can of biscuits?” He chuckles at me.
I slap his shoulder with my other hand, forgetting myself. “Shush you. Not all of us have time to bake fresh ones all the time. Besides, Pillsbury has some good ones.” I realize he hasn’t yet removed his hand from mine until I look down at our entwined fingers.
Seeing where my eyes go, he apologizes and releases his grip. “Sorry.” Now I’m the one who is sorry because I enjoyed the brief touch.
“It’s okay. I promise I’m not afraid of the weather. Okay, well, at least lightning. I can’t say the idea of a hurricane or even a tropical storm barreling down doesn’t frighten me.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be home soon.” Well, to his home, at least. I live in a small apartment outside of downtown. We used to have a nice house, but since my mother’s death and my father’s rehab, I had to downsize. Unfortunately, my father hasn’t gotten his life back together since then, and we no longer speak. He’s moved away, and he says he is unable to accept that I work for Brooks. It makes no sense since Brooks gave him a second chance instead of going to prison.
“You’ve gone quiet. I didn’t mean anything by the home thing. I meant my home.”
“I know. I was just thinking about my dad,” I answered.
“He’s fine,” Brooks says with certainty.
My brows cinch together. How do you know?”
“Because he lives in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana now, which is far away from here.”
“He does?” I twist my head and stare at my boss. If I haven’t spoken to my father in over a year, how does he know about him?
“Yes.”
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“My lawyer informed me of his whereabouts.” He lays it out as if it’s no big deal, but I’m completely shocked that he’s aware of things like that. I have so many questions, but I only ask one.
“Why would he do that?”
“Just because he felt like telling me.” Again, he gives me a politician’s answer. I want to grab him by the lapels and ask him what he thinks about my father and me or why he pushes personal conversations away. Yet, he knows my father’s whereabouts, but I don’t.
“We’re here.” He enters the access code, and the gate opens up. Everyone has been sent away for safety. It was just Brooks and I who were left behind to handle other matters. He even sent his one personal security guard to go home because the man had a pregnant wife to look after. Although Brooks doesn’t really need a security guard since he’s pretty tough.
“Oh.”
The rain pelts down as Brooks rushes us inside his home. The second door closes, a loud boom tears through the sky. “We’re going to have a rough night.”
“Are we sure we got all the town’s people out?”
“I believe most of them got out or have taken shelter at the community center, which is sturdy. The supplies will be brought in by morning if needed. It’s the best we can ask for. Are you worried?”
“Yes. It would be the first time in my life that we’ve ever had a full-blown storm like this.”
“Well, the best we can do now is relax and let the storm blow over, okay?”