Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“I think I’m gonna be sick,” she admits, so I lead her to the ladies’ room. She goes inside, and after five minutes, I go in and check on her. Kaitlyn’s bent over the toilet, dry heaving.
I stand behind her, pulling her hair to the side and rubbing her back. “This a good time to say I told you so?”
“Shut up,” she groans, and I bite back a laugh.
Once I’m certain she’s done for the time being, I ask if she’s ready to go. She won’t make it through the rest of the evening.
She nods, and I help her to her feet, then make sure she’s stable before leading her out the door. Instead of going through the reception area, I walk toward the back exit and hope we can escape without her having to chat with everyone.
I know she’ll hate missing Kane and Ivy’s send-off and will regret not seeing all those dicks on her brother’s truck, but if she stays any longer, she’ll be puking on the dance floor.
With my arm firmly wrapped around her waist, I steady her as we walk around the building. Carrying her would’ve been easier, but Kaitlyn’s too proud to let that happen, so I tightened my grip to prevent her from tripping over her feet.
As soon as I reach the passenger door, I dig my keys from my pocket, unlock the truck, and help her inside.
“You okay?” I ask once she’s buckled.
She nods with her eyes closed and head tilted back. “For now.”
Once I’m in, I start the drive back to the ranch. Kaitlyn leans her cheek against the cool window. “I need air. I might…”
“Don’t you dare blow chunks in my truck,” I warn, pulling off onto the side of the road. When she struggles to open the door, I rush around to the other side and help her out.
Seconds later, round two begins, and I hold back her hair once again. After a few moments, she takes a deep breath and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “Okay, I’m fine now. Let’s go back to the reception.”
“Kate…” I warn, knowing that would be a horrible idea. “I think the night is over.”
Her shoulders slump in defeat. “Fine, Mr. Party Pooper.”
Once we’re both back inside the truck, we continue our journey. I roll down the window for her because the fresh air seems to help. The gravel road to my house gets bumpy, so I take it as slow as possible to keep her comfortable. She leans her head back on the seat and closes her eyes.
“How much longer?”
“Five minutes.”
“I swear it feels like we drove to Mordor.”
I chuckle. “You’re such a nerd.”
Her eyes pop open. “And you’re a nerd for knowing The Lord of the Rings reference.”
“Touché.”
After I park, I help her up the porch stairs. It’s times like this that I’m grateful I moved out of the ranch hand quarters. When the stud operation opened and I was asked to help run it with the twins, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life in Eldorado. I was given the opportunity to lease a slice of land and build a house on-site. My place is much bigger than what I currently need, but I know I'll need the space if I ever have a family.
Two weeks after the property agreement was signed, they poured the foundation for the barndominium, and I’ve been living in it ever since it was completed.
Kaitlyn immediately kicks off her high heels and struts to the breakfast bar. She nearly falls while trying to sit on one of the tall stools but manages to steady herself. With a sly grin, she looks at me. “I’d like some of that, please.”
She points at the small bottle of Fireball that she left here after movie night last week.
Instead of giving her what she wants, I pour her a glass of water, then set it down in front of her. She flashes a death glare. “Oh, come on. I even said please!”
“Blowing chunks twice in an hour wasn’t enough for you?” I arch a brow.
She rolls her eyes, then takes a sip.
“You need to hydrate because you’ve still gotta get up in the morning and feed your horses. I already know you’re gonna feel like utter shit when six o’clock rolls around. Mixing booze is the worst thing you could do.”
The frown on her face has me laughing.
“Nah, once I throw up, I’m good.”
“I’ve heard that one before. Two New Year’s Eves ago and guess what?”
Kaitlyn eyes me as she takes another gulp of water. “I felt like ass the next day.”
“Yep. I know you well enough to know when you need to be cut off.”
She chugs the rest of the water and sets the empty cup on the counter.
“Time to get some sleep. You can have my king-sized bed if you want, and I’ll take the spare room.” It’s just a twin mattress, but I’ll manage for a night.