Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
“Already ahead of you.”
He reached into the box again and pulled out a smaller version of her belt.
“Awesome!”
Isa put the belt on Razzie. “He looks so good. Let’s get building!”
“I’ll pack up some snacks and drinks,” he said, heading into the kitchen and grabbing a basket.
“Snacks are very important. Make sure you get some cookies. And cupcakes.”
“What about fruit?” he asked dryly.
“Sure, if you want some, get it.”
Loki rolled his eyes at her and she giggled. Big Isabelle tried to eat healthily. But Isa-Bee didn’t care about that.
After he got everything together, Loki took her hand and led her to the backdoor. She sat on a bench while he put her boots on before putting on his own.
Then he drew out her favorite pink, puffer jacket.
“I don’t need a jacket. The sun is shining.”
He huffed but gave in. Then taking her hand again, he led her out the back, toward the chicken coop. She tugged at his hand.
The she-demons hated when he showed her affection in front of them.
“Ki-Ki, Jennifer.”
“Oh. Shit.” He let go of her hand and they walked past the chicken coop as the chickens stared.
A chill went down her spine. They were possessed.
But finally, they reached his barn on the other side. He could drive out the back, past the garage to get to it. She saw he had his truck parked up there, the tailgate down. There were stacks of timber on the back as well as his portable saw.
Loki worked as a tracker. His jobs came in erratically. Sometimes, he was so busy that she rarely saw him. Other times, he’d be home for weeks on end.
“Does this mean I get to cut things?” she cried, clapping her hands.
She’d always wanted to use his saw.
“Not even for a minute,” he replied, making her pout.
That was mean.
He placed the basket of food in the back seat and she saw he’d also grabbed some helmets and ear muffs. Hers were pink, of course. She climbed into the front passenger seat with Razzie while Loki gathered everything else they’d need. Then he got into the driver’s seat.
“Seatbelt,” he said gruffly.
“But we’re just driving on your land.”
“Our land.”
She had to refrain from rolling her eyes. It wasn’t her land at all, but he always insisted that everything that was his was hers as well.
And she didn’t argue too much, since she kind of liked when he did it.
Reaching over her, he buckled her in. But he didn’t do the same for himself. She shook her head but knew it was pointless to argue. He drove them through the trees until he couldn’t drive any farther.
“This tree?” she asked, pointing. It wasn’t too far from the house. In easy walking distance. But it was hidden by all the trees around it.
Which made it perfect.
It had a thick, wide trunk and was about eight feet tall. The branches spread out, providing the perfect base for the treehouse.
“Yep. Good?”
“Oh, it’s just perfect.” She tried to jump out of the truck, but the belt caught her. “Drats.”
“Wait there,” he warned. Getting out, he walked around and undid her belt before lifting her down.
“I’m gonna climb it right now!” she declared.
“All right. I’ll help you.”
“I have this, Ki-Ki.”
He just gave her a stern look. He was being more protective than usual.
She wasn’t complaining, though. He hovered behind her as she climbed up, insisting that she give him Razzie to carry up. When she reached the part of the tree that branched out, she settled in on a branch, looking out.
“Good?” Loki asked.
“It’s just perfect. Where do we start? Cutting? Hammering?”
“Measuring.”
“Bummer.” She stayed where she was as he measured up the interior of the tree. Then they climbed back down.
“What can I do? What can I do?” she asked, practically jumping up and down.
She couldn’t believe she was getting to build something!
“You can sit on that stump over there and drink some water,” he told her, reaching into the back to grab the basket.
Huh. That was a let-down.
“And then?” she asked as she sat and he handed her water bottle to her.
“I might let you and Razzie help me.”
“Yay!”
A few hours later, she sat on that same stump and looked up at the treehouse.
Well, all they really had was part of the floor.
“This is gonna take longer than I thought,” she said.
Loki snorted and sat next to her. “Eat your cupcake.”
Huh? She glanced down at her hand. When had she picked up a cupcake?
Shrugging, she ate a big bite.
Yummy.
It gave her a surge of energy. She hadn’t realized how tired she was getting. But now that she’d sat down. Yeah, she could feel it.
She yawned.
“You’re tired,” Loki stated, watching her closely. “That asshole boss is working you too hard.”
Yeah, she guessed that was it. And the stress of the merger was starting to catch up with her.