Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
I click through the next apartment listing in Sweetgrass River and remind myself not to sigh. Or cry. All of these landlords want a big deposit plus the first and last months’ rent. In moments like this, it feels like the odds are stacked against me.
It’s been a week since Parker showed me the million-dollar home. I’ve spent every spare minute since then combing through rental listings. I’d love to move to Courage County, but the boys are in school in Sweetgrass. I’d have to transfer them again. Not that they seem to love their current school.
I square my shoulders. This is a temporary bump in the road. I will figure this out, just like I’ve figured out everything else.
“What are you doing?” Martha asks.
I didn’t hear her come up behind me. I click away from the apartment listings, embarrassed to be caught looking up housing options on a work computer. Martha and Cash haven’t figured out that I’m staying in a pay-by-the-night hotel. I’d rather that they didn’t know that. “I was just…”
Martha reaches for the large stack of folders on the desk that I’ve already digitized, tucking them against her ample chest. “You know, I have a tiny little place right above my detached garage. Not much to look at. There’s a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a bedroom. You and the boys could stay there.”
A little bit of hope flickers in my heart. “Is it available for rent?”
“Aww, honey. It’s no bigger than a postage stamp. You and your brothers are welcome to crash there for a few months…you know, if you want.” She sets the folders back down on my desk and pulls out her phone. She swipes the screen and passes the device to me. “I’ve been doing a few little repair jobs myself. You can see it.”
She’s right that it’s not very big, but after spending so long in a cramped hotel room, it looks like a mansion. I quickly flip through the photos. It’s clean and neat. There’s no furniture, but a couple of air mattresses will get us started. “How much is the deposit?”
“No deposit. No rent. You’re family.” She shrugs.
Tears prick my eyes at her words. She’s only known me for a few weeks. But I’m quickly learning that in Courage, everyone treats you like family. Martha didn’t hesitate to get me a job even though I was a stranger, and now she’s helping me with lodging too.
Still, accepting a place rent-free is not who I am. I’m not like my mom, a user who sponges off the kindness of other people. I rattle off a figure, explaining that’s my rent budget and asking if she can work with it. All I have to do is spread out my inhaler doses, and I’ll have the money to rent Martha’s place. I just don’t tell her that part.
Martha nods quickly. “I’ll get you the keys tomorrow afternoon.”
Someone in the back calls for her, and she squeezes my shoulder.
As soon as she’s gone, I stand. No one is in the waiting room. I do a victory dance, bobbing my head. Finally, something is working out for me.
The bell above the door chimes while I’m mid-dance and my heart thumps loudly when Greer’s warm brown gaze meets mine. He’s wearing more work pants and the same scuffed boots. His Stetson is gone today which lets me stare deep into his honey gaze.
He steps up to my desk, placing a white box on it. The delicious aroma of donuts floats from it, and my mouth waters. “For you.”
I glance at the box suspiciously. I haven’t seen Greer in a week even though he texts me every night and every morning. Sometimes, I text back. But mostly, I don’t. I’m trying not to encourage him. I don’t want him to think that this attraction between us is going anywhere. “What’s in the box?”
“Donuts for you.”
I search his face, but the only thing in his expression is sincerity.
He plants his hands on the desk and leans across it. Our faces are only inches apart. I could lean forward and kiss him. As if he’s sensing my thoughts, his gaze drops to my lips.
Suddenly, I want a whole lot more than what’s in the box.
When he speaks, Greer’s voice is deep and gravelly, “Eat the donuts. I like you just the way you are.” He straightens then, leaving my space. I miss the warmth of his body heat. There’s still fire in his gaze. “And by the way, I’m marrying you, Evie.”
Chapter 3
Greer
Find the woman you want to spend the rest of your life annoying. That's what my dad always said. I never really understood the advice until I saw Evie for the first time. I swear, my heart stopped for a full minute. She's the prettiest thing I've ever laid eyes on, and she's meant to be mine.