Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Now that he had it all laid out on the counter, one would think he was feeding an army rather than three people.
Oh, and he’d forgotten about the extra dog toys he’d purchased to make sure there would be enough for three instead of just Midnight and Sweetie.
Clint made the salad, which consisted of multicolored pasta, pepperoni, red onion, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella, and Italian dressing. Once it was in the fridge, he made sure the house looked okay, then headed out to his workshop to check things there. He played with Midnight and Sweetie, found his way back into the house…and realized he was nervous. It was odd and made absolutely no sense. Why was he stressing out about an old friend and his son coming over?
“Ridiculous,” he mumbled just as the sound of a vehicle rumbling down the driveway hit his ears. Clint headed out to the porch, the dogs beside him. “Stay,” he told them both, watching August’s familiar silver SUV pull to a stop.
August climbed out first, giving Clint a wide smile and a wave. Clint returned it, taking the stairs and heading their way as Reese got out of the passenger seat. The boy immediately went to the back door to get their dog out. “You guys find it okay?” Clint asked, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
“Yep.” August nodded. “Reese, you remember Clint.”
Reese headed over with a happy golden retriever by his side. “Hey.” He didn’t make eye contact, just looked down, petting the dog.
“Good to see you. Can Midnight and Sweetie come over? They’ll just love up on you both—and Butter too.”
Reese’s gaze darted up at that, with a flare of excitement he immediately tamped down. “Sure.”
“Come on, guys,” he called, and the dogs immediately ran for them. August knelt, both he and Reese petting them while the pups went back and forth licking them and trying to meet Butter. “I got him fixed after the incident with Sweetie. Her as well.”
“Butter is spayed too,” August replied.
“They had puppies?” Reese asked.
“Yep. She was a stray Midnight brought home and let me know he was going to be a daddy. All the babies went to good homes. In fact, if y’all meet Deacon and Grady, who took one of them, you’ll see Moose. I kept this girl around, though.” Clint knelt with them, petting Sweetie. They were quiet for a minute, giving all their attention to the animals, Clint figured because they weren’t sure what to say.
August caught his eye and gave him another smile. Clint sent one back. “Thanks for having us over.”
“No problem. It’s nice to have the company. Plus, Sweetie and Midnight are always looking for new friends.” He was hoping the welding would break the ice a bit, so he added, “Y’all want to check out the shop first?”
Reese’s head tilted up and toward him, with what Clint thought was want in his eyes, but he didn’t answer. He clearly didn’t trust Clint or like him yet, maybe because he thought Clint was trying to take his father away from him or something. Reese had lost a lot and had his world turned upside down, the whole time his constant being August. It had to be scary for him to think about someone coming in and taking that away from him too. Why he’d decided Clint wanted August as more than a friend, he didn’t know.
“Sure,” August answered when Reese didn’t. “Let’s check it out. I’m curious to see your work in person.”
“Let’s do it, then.” The three of them headed over, the dogs playing and following. “Looks like they’re friends already.”
“It happens fast like that sometimes.” August shrugged.
Yeah, it did. It had for them.
Clint opened the large metal door and let them inside.
“Holy shit,” Reese whispered.
“Language,” August warned. It was so interesting seeing this side of him—connecting August the boy he had known with August the father.
“Sorry. This is crazy. You made all this?” Reese walked over to a large sasquatch with a small one beside it.
“Yep.” Pride swelled in Clint’s chest.
Reese pointed. “Dude, that’s like those stickers on the car with the parents and their kids.” Only his had someone holding a baby up by the shirt, with kids clearly running amuck around the parents, and it was large and on stands.
“Those are some of my best sellers. It cracks me up when I drive by a house and see them in someone’s yard. I make same-sex couples too.” It was ridiculous that he wanted to impress both August and his son, wanted them both to see the passion Clint put into his work.
“This is amazing, Clint. Seriously,” August said. “I know I told you the other day, but you’re really talented.”
Clint shrugged. “Just a lot of practice. My dad taught me to weld when I was about fifteen. I took to it right away. The art part of it came later. Your dad says you’re an artist?” he asked.