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)
“Well, I’m not sure how good I’ll be at it either.” Royal took a sip of his wine. “That is unless you can work in topics of maximizing profitability or cash forecasting. Otherwise I’ll probably be pretty bad at it myself.”
Stone’s lips twitched as if they wanted to curve upwards but had forgotten how.
“Well, unless you can work heavy machinery into the conversation, or the best time to harvest pine, then…”
Royal chuckled, the sound foreign to his ears. He enjoyed the feeling that rose in his chest when he did. He was glad his laugh didn’t make him sound like a dolphin.
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward, as they stared at one another until Myra came back with a cup of hot tea and a bottle of honey for Stone, and a glass of water with no ice.
“Your dinners are almost ready, you two,” she said, glancing between them. “And Stone, I’m taking your sandwich home to my son, you can eat what Royal’s having.”
Stone focused on stirring the honey into his tea while Royal watched him openly. His boldness grew a fraction more every time they saw each other. The couple of days he’d stayed inside, he’d thought of Stone a lot, what he was doing, and if he was wondering where he’d been.
Stone drank his tea, and Royal’s gaze went to his lips. They were full and framed by a thick mustache and beard he wondered was soft or bristly.
When he looked up, Stone was staring him, his brows knitted together, those blue eyes darkening like the clouds before a storm.
He couldn’t get a read on Stone. The small gestures, the almost imperceptible flickers of emotion behind his glare all felt like a slow dance waiting on the right song before it officially began.
Royal
There was something magnetic about Stone, maybe it was his simple way of living, or perhaps because he was older—if his silver hair and wise eyes were any indication—he had some years on him. Whatever it was, it drew Royal in.
“Not a wine drinker?” he asked.
Stone gave him his attention. “Not really. Living here, and working outside, you take a liking to warm drinks, and room temperature water.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
Silence fell on them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or weird—it felt nice.
Myra returned carrying two plates and set them down in front of them. A savory aroma wafted through the air, making Royal’s stomach growl. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was.
With a sly smile, she winked at Stone, “Beef stroganoff is your favorite, yes, or at least it used to be.”
Stone surveyed the plate then began to nod. “It still is, Myra. It looks good, thank you.”
“Only person that made it better than me was Stone’s husband, Ben,” Myra put her hand to her heart. “God bless his soul.”
Royal paused, his fork clutched loosely in his hand.
“You two enjoy, I’ll check back in on ya.”
Myra walked away, leaving them with that charged energy between them.
Royal felt he should say something.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know, I um…”
Stone waved off the words Royal couldn’t think to say.
“It was a long time ago. I’ve made my peace with it. Ben and I had a long time together. I’m fortunate he died quick and didn’t suffer. And I’m glad I wasn’t there when it happened.”
Stone must’ve been able to tell what Royal was thinking because he continued.
“He was working. He had his own tree-cutting business.” Stone had stopped eating and was staring out of the window. “He um…he had a… Just one of those freak accidents that comes with lumber hauling. And he…he fell almost thirty feet and broke four of his seven cervical vertebrae.”
Oh god, a broken neck.
Royal’s heart clenched. That sudden loss had to be devastating.
“You don’t have to look like that, Royal. Like I said, eight years is a long time to make peace with it. Uh, life goes on, ya’know.”
“I know,” he said gently.
Neither spoke while they ate, every now and then exchanging heated glances.
When they were finished eating, Myra took their plates and refilled their drinks since neither of them got up to leave.
After a long moment, Stone asked,” Why are you here, Royal?”
The question was asked with such bluntness, he didn’t know if Stone was happy or annoyed at his presence.
Stone cleared his throat, “I mean, why would you leave a playground like Manhattan, for a town like Windeville, a place you can barely spot on a map.”
Royal took a deep breath, hoping he had the strength to explain his situation in a way that didn’t make him appear weak in front such a strong man.
“That place you think is a playground, is a mirage, Stone. It’s the Odyssey’s Lotus Land.” Royal barked a humorless laugh. “You think you’re having the time of your life, but you really killing yourself.”
Stone stared unblinking at him.