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)
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “That was a terrible fucking time.”
“You and Brad were in high school when she died?”
He nodded somberly.
I knew Josh was the same age as Brad, who would’ve been thirty now if he were alive. At twenty-eight, I was two years younger.
I resumed searching for a blanket and managed to find a small plaid one amidst all the junk in the closet.
“Will this be enough?” I asked as I handed it to him. It seemed like it might only cover half his body.
“It’ll work,” he said.
I grabbed one of the two pillows on the bed. It was heavier than expected, filled with down.
“Take this, too. I don’t need both.” I threw it toward him with unintentional force.
He caught it. “You enjoyed throwing that at me, didn’t you?”
I winked. “Maybe a little.”
CHAPTER 4
* * *
CARLY
A KNOCK WOKE me the following morning. When I emerged from the bedroom, I spotted a shirtless Josh already at the front door. His perfectly carved back, inked with the image of a serpent, blocked my view of whomever was there.
A snake. Appropriate.
I didn’t like the man, but there was no denying how damn hot he was.
His deep, morning voice was raspy as he spoke. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Scottie’s behavior therapist,” I heard a woman say. “I work with him here once or twice a week.”
Josh scratched his head of unruly hair. “Oh.” He moved aside. “Come in.”
I caught the attractive brunette’s eyes falling briefly to his chest.
He held his hand out. “I’m Josh. Good to meet you.”
“Lauren.” She smiled as they shook.
I could have sworn she resisted letting go.
“I didn’t realize Scottie had someone coming to the house.” I interrupted her ogling.
She turned toward me, seeming to notice me standing there for the first time. “Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “It’s a home-based service we provide, funded by the state. I’ve only been working with him for about six months, but he’s been in our adult program for a while.”
“Lorraine neglected to mention that,” I said. “What do you do with him?”
“We read together, do puzzles, sort items, and work on self-care—things like brushing his teeth, dressing, and tying his shoes,” she said. “You must be Carly?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“His aunt did mention you would be coming to stay with him in place of her. I didn’t realize you were married.”
“Oh.” I looked over at Josh. “He’s not my husband. This is Scottie’s brother Brad’s friend. I was engaged to Brad before he passed away.”
She smiled over at Josh, her eyes lighting up. “I see.”
I bet you do.
The last thing I needed was to be in the middle of a flirt fest—or worse—between Josh and this college student.
She turned back to me. “I’m so sorry about your fiancé. Before Wayne passed, he used to tell me all about him. He was a movie producer, right?”
“He worked in television as a writer, but he’d been promoted to producer before he died, yeah.”
“I’m sorry.” She frowned. “So, you’re both here to take care of Scottie…together?”
“We’re sharing the responsibility right now,” Josh said. “Until we can find him a good fit for a permanent home.”
Lauren nodded. “That’s really cool of you.”
“Scottie is still sleeping,” I said. “If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve woken him.”
“That’s okay. Wayne used to get him up before I arrived, but I don’t mind waking him.” She looked over at Josh. “If you need anything, let me know. We have a lot of resources at the agency that may be able to help with your search for placement.”
It was interesting that she offered to help him and not us. It was sickening how much of a chick magnet this guy was, given his questionable personality. But then again, Lauren wouldn’t know about that yet. Too bad Josh Mathers didn’t come with a warning label covering his perfect face.
After she went into Scottie’s room, I lowered my voice. “You might want to put on a shirt before I have to clean that girl’s drool off the floor.”
“I wasn’t expecting a guest this morning any more than you were, sunshine.” He looked down at my chest. “Clearly.”
I closed my eyes. I hadn’t put on a bra. Perhaps that would’ve been a good thing to note before chastising him. Clearing my throat, I covered my chest with my arms. “What time do you start work?”
“At nine.”
“Do you drink coffee?” I asked.
“I pretty much guzzle it all day, yeah.”
“I checked last night and didn’t see any coffee pods. I can go to the store and get some, along with stuff for breakfast, take advantage of her being here with Scottie.”
He ran a hand through his thick hair. “Cool. Yeah. I’ll jump in the shower while you’re out.”
I nodded and rushed to my room to put on a bra and some clothes. Brushing my hair, I noted how long it had gotten. I wondered if I’d have an opportunity to get it trimmed while here, or if I’d end up looking like Rapunzel by the time I left Woodsboro.