Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
He was too gorgeous, his clothes too expensive, his shirt too crisp, shoes that were new and too shiny to be standing on cracked sidewalks and staring at the faded old-time storefronts of Windeville. Royal looked as if he’d stepped right off a fashion show runway.
Stone didn’t know shit about designer name brands—hell, he’d been wearing the same jeans and Carhart parka for ten years—but he knew a high-priced coat when he saw it.
Stone was on his way to Mr. McDermott’s general store until Royal commanded his attention. It was his eyes, those cinnamon-brown eyes, that kept Stone from walking away and going about his business. Something about the man seemed broken, and for whatever reason, that tugged at a void in Stone’s chest.
His jaw tightened, he wasn’t the kind of man who sought out strangers or tourists. He went out of his way to avoid them. But he couldn’t leave Royal standing there alone and looking so unsure.
Why him?
As Stone drew closer, the air felt colder, the town quietening as if it wanted to hear what he was going to say. And without giving it much thought, he just spoke.
“You lost already, city boy?”
The words came out rough like they always did, but right then they felt more raw.
Royal glanced back with a frown before he spun around to face him. And there was that same flicker of confusion, as though he hadn’t expected anyone to notice him.
Yeah right, like you blend in here.
“I uh, I don’t think so.” Royal brought his hand to his forehead as a visor to shield his eyes from the sun. “She said the clothing store was not too far away, I’m just trying to see in which direction.”
“Left, follow me,” Stone ordered.
He started walking at a brisk pace. He could feel Royal right behind him, could hear the light tap of his shoes on the concrete.
Stone slowed a bit so they could walk side-by-side. He told himself he was doing it to be polite, or so Royal didn’t slip on a patch of ice with those ridiculous boots, but it was so he could steal glances at him out of the corner of his eye.
There was no way a man like him was going to stay in Windeville. Stone had seen enough folks drift in and out over the years to know when one didn’t fit.
Royal’s hair was dark brown, neatly combed, but also coiffed, like one of those trendy, hoity-toity executives Stone had seen in movies.
He was tall, but not as tall as him, built with lean muscles, and sculpted shoulders that made his fancy trench hang perfectly on his frame.
They were polar opposites.
Except for the quiet solemnity.
“So,” Royal said, “you do woodwork, huh? That must be quite fulfilling to work with your hands.”
Stone knew his glare was intimidating and brusque—he didn’t mean it to be—by the way Royal cringed and struggled to backpedal his words.
“I mean to actually make things, ya’know. Things people obviously admire around here. That’s what I meant. That must be nice.”
“I’m Stone the sixth. Craftsmanship is in my blood. It’s all I’ve known and will ever know,” he answered. “I do like building, but what I like most is that it keeps me busy.”
“I get that, I guess,” Royal’s voice had gone low and somber again. “My job used to keep me busy too. Sometimes it’s not always a good thing.”
Stone made a noncommittal sound, his heart pounding with an unsteady beat. As he thought, Royal was escaping whatever tidal wave was overtaking him and he’d gotten shipwrecked in Windeville.
It took less than ten minutes to reach Dud’s. It wasn’t exactly a department store, but it was one of the two places in town to find good outerwear, however Stone doubted they’d be up to Royal’s standards.
“Here.” Stone had to clear the grittiness from his throat. “This is it. It’s nothing fancy, but Jessie sure has more durable boots than what you’re wearing.”
Royal glanced up at the sign then back at him. “It’ll be fine. Believe it or not, I’m not all that picky. My clothes were always bought by my assistants. I never really had time to—” Royal ducked his head and muttered. “Damnit, never mind. Forget I said that.”
“Forgotten,” Stone said without thought.
“Thanks for the help. Guess I’ll see you around.”
Royal didn’t wait for him to respond before he disappeared inside the store. He had a ridiculous urge to go in after him and make sure he found what he needed so he didn’t catch the flu. It was common this time of year.
Stone felt off. Something was changing at that moment. Not the season, not the town, nor the blistering cold…it was something inside him.
Royal
The bell over the door gave a loud jingle when Royal stepped inside Jessie’s Duds. He was instantly enveloped with warmth, and the unique scent of leather and wool.