Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Josh and I began silently picking up the feathers. I found a small garbage bag from the kitchen so we’d have somewhere to dump them. Every minute, I swore under my breath at the turn this situation had taken. What bothered me more than anything? Deep down, I really didn’t think I was capable of handling Scottie alone. I didn’t want to admit that. Having another set of hands here was probably a good thing. I just wished they were any hands but Josh’s.
By the time we were done, it looked like we’d plucked a chicken and tried to hide the evidence. Scottie had calmed down at least and looked like he was about to fall asleep.
Josh drew one of the shades that I’d inadvertently left open. The last thing I wanted was Scottie waking up earlier than necessary because of the sun. I also noticed a static sound machine and turned it on.
After we left the bedroom, Josh and I stood in the living area in front of the flames of the pellet stove. We just looked at each other. As much as I disliked this guy, beggars couldn’t be choosers. No one else was going to volunteer to help.
“I hate to admit it,” I said, swallowing some humble pie. “But this might be more of a two-person job anyway. I think it would be helpful for us to work together, so we can relieve each other from time to time.”
Josh stayed silent. Since he didn’t refute my suggestion, I chose to assume that meant he agreed with me.
“Don’t you have family in town?” I asked. “You don’t have to sleep here. You could come and go.”
He raised his forehead. “How’s that gonna help you at night if he wakes up and pulls some shit?”
Scratching my temple, I had nothing to say to that.
“I have two brothers and my dad in town,” he added. “But I do think it’s better if I stay here overnight.”
“Okay,” I conceded. “Where are you gonna do your work during the day? There’s obviously no office space.”
“That doesn’t matter. I can work anywhere. And if there’s a meeting, I’ll just move my laptop to wherever Scottie isn’t. I do have to make a lot of calls, but at least I’ll be here if you need me or if you have to go to the store or something.”
I knew very little about Josh’s career, just that he worked in the corporate world.
“What do you do again?” I asked.
“I’m a recruiter.”
“What does that entail?”
“I screen qualified candidates for open positions.”
“Ah, so that’s why you were so quick to shoot me down for this one.”
He shrugged. “You’re right. You’re not qualified to take care of him alone. But more than anything, I was just trying to give you a break for your own good, Carly.”
“I’m up for the challenge.” I sighed. “Besides, honestly, everything back in California reminds me of Brad…our life before he died. I need a change of scenery. This is his childhood home, but none of our memories were here.” I looked up at him. “I suppose it’s the opposite for you, though.”
Nodding somberly, he walked away. Clearly Josh had no plans to open up to me.
He walked over and opened the refrigerator. He rubbed the scruff on his chin and soon closed the door. There was nothing to see in there.
“It’s empty,” I said. “I didn’t have a chance to go shopping or order groceries.”
He looked over at the clock and scratched his chest. “It’s kind of late anyway. I don’t have to eat anything tonight. I’ll just suck it up until tomorrow.”
Tension lingered in the air as we stared at each other. The recessed lighting over him caused a glow in his hazel eyes. Josh was strikingly handsome. There was no way to argue that. His hair alone deserved its own modeling agent. His nose was straight, his lips full, and his chin perfectly angular. Despite his looks, I’d always thought him to be ugly on the inside.
As I took him in, I noticed Josh’s eyes had fallen below my neck—and stayed there.
What’s happening?
Is he checking me out?
Can’t be.
The guy can’t stand me.
Before I could ponder that any further, he charged toward me, his hand smacking the top of my chest without warning. Then, I felt the pinch of his fingers against my skin.
“What the fuck?” I screamed, my heart beating out of control.
“Got it.” His shoulders rose and fell as he unraveled his fist and opened his long fingers to reveal something unidentifiable in the palm of his hand. “You had a nasty spider crawling on you.”
I looked closer, and indeed it was a crushed spider that looked like a daddy long legs.
“Jesus…” I panted. “I didn’t know what the hell happened. For a second there, I thought you smacked me for no reason.”