Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“Don’t you even find it the least bit amusing that our parents used to date?”
“Nope. Because now I’m going to get my ear chewed off about you when I go see my mother. You’re already the topic of conversation at work because of Opal.”
Fox set the wheelbarrow down on the driveway and picked up a broom to sweep the remnants of mulch. He scooped a shovel into the pile and dumped the last of the chips into the nearby flowerbed. I thought he was done, but then I noticed cases of plants lined up on the front porch.
“Are you making a vegetable garden?”
“Already have one.” He pointed in the opposite direction of my house. “It’s on the side. Better sun exposure there.”
“I always wanted a garden. We never had one growing up. I was thinking of doing window plants in my apartment, but there’s not much room.”
Fox shook his head. “I don’t know how you can live somewhere with no yard or grass.”
“It’s funny. I don’t think I noticed it was missing in my life the last few years.”
“Shame.”
I looked around and sighed. “Yeah.”
Fox scooped up two tomato plants from the porch.
“Do you want some help planting them?” I asked.
“Is that your way of saying you want to help, but we’re going to pretend it’s me who needs the help rather than you who wants to give it?”
I smirked. “Pretty much.”
After a pause, he lifted his chin toward the garage. “There’s an extra set of gloves in the top drawer of the cabinet on the right.”
“Okay! But I think I’m going to change first.”
“Whatever.” Fox shrugged. He clearly wasn’t as excited as me.
I returned a few minutes later wearing cut-off shorts and a tank top. This time, Fox didn’t take as long to notice I had a torso. Every time I’d caught him looking before, I’d given him a free pass, not calling him out. Well, except for when I’d mentioned seeing him watch me from the window. But today, I felt bold. When his eyes made their way back up to mine, I arched a brow.
He ignored the challenge and walked around the side of the house. “Plants go six inches down and eighteen inches apart.” He gestured to some garden tools. “Small shovel is there.”
Over the next hour, Fox and I planted more than three-dozen tomato plants. We didn’t talk much, which was perfectly fine with me. By the time we were done, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the day anymore. Oddly, I felt very much at peace.
I pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “I really enjoyed doing that. Who knew digging in the dirt could be so mentally relaxing?”
“Working outside is good for the body and mind.”
I brushed dirt from my hands and knees. “Thank you for letting me help. Especially since I know you would’ve preferred to do it yourself.”
Fox nodded.
I rolled my eyes. “You could at least feign that I’m wrong and you enjoyed my company.”
His lips quirked. “Thank you for helping me plant, doc.”
I did a mock curtsy. “You’re very welcome.”
Even though I didn’t want to go back home yet, it felt like it was time. “Well, I guess I should get going…”
Fox nodded again.
I hesitated a few more seconds, thinking maybe he’d say I shouldn’t run off so soon. But of course, this was Fox. “Okay, then. You have a good night, I guess.”
After I took a few steps, he sighed. “Do you want a beer?”
I turned with a smile. “Do you really want me to join you, or are you being nice because I called you out about not wanting me to plant with you?”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Do you want a beer or not?”
I shrugged. Screw it. “Sure.”
CHAPTER 14
* * *
Everything is Just Ducky
Josie
“So your mom is so tiny,” I said. “And you probably have to duck and turn sideways to walk into some rooms. Were you a big baby?”
“Eight-and-a-half pounds. My brother was ten.”
“Wow. Ten pounds. Is he bigger than you now?”
“He passed away years ago.”
I shut my eyes. “I’m sorry. Your mom mentioned that she’d lost a son. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s fine. It was a long time ago.”
“I say the exact same thing when people offer condolences about my father’s passing—that it was a long time ago. I guess I want them to feel better about bringing him up.”
Fox looked into my eyes. “It also nips the conversation in the bud.”
I smiled. “Got it. Moving on…” I sipped my beer. “Your mom called you sweet more than once. Don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s not a word I would’ve used to describe you.”
“Mothers are prejudiced.”
“Maybe. But I don’t think that’s it. I think deep down there is a sweet guy in there. You just don’t want people to meet him, for some reason.”