Page 84 of Raised On It

“What? Yesterday? Why didn’t you say something?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t ever had anyone to share that with except for the girls and the people paying me to write. I usually keep it to myself for a few days before I share.”

“Well, thank you for telling me. When do I get to read it?”

I jump off his lap like he’s on fire. “What?”

“You heard me. When do I get to read it?”

“Miles, I haven’t even sent it to my editor yet. It’s just the first draft. It’s not perfect yet.”

“I don’t need perfect. But I do need to read this book inspired by our dreamy little small town.”

He winks because what he really means is inspired by him.

“Well, the truth is, I was done, but now that I’ve been to Elsie Lake, I think I need to go fit in another chapter because I’ve just been inspired.”

“How about this? Add your chapter and do whatever tweaking you want to do. As long as it is in my hands before we board the plane for New York, I can read it on the plane! Now, that sounds perfect.”

“So, you want to be my beta reader?”

“If it means I get to read it first, then yes! Sign me up!”

“You sure?”

“I am. Now, sit back down and give me some more sugar.”

CHAPTER 25

Miles

“Andy, this is Miles Montgomery,” Mason says, introducing me to her salt and peppered doorman after greeting him with a hug.

Up close, he’s much younger looking than I expected. Pretty fit too. The film industry sure has got it all wrong if handsome dudes who look like Andy are the norm.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Montgomery,” he says, extending his hand.

“Please, call me Miles.”

And please keep your hands off my girl.

“Have you been taking good care of Katie these past two months?”

“Been doing my best, but since she found herself that new boyfriend of hers, I don’t see her quite as often as I used to.”

“I heard about him. He sounds like a goodguy, but what’s your first impression? You’re always a good litmus test on people.”

“I do see a lot here from my front row seat, Miss Mason, that I do. So far so good with this guy. He’s in the arts like her, so it could be a match made in heaven or…he could be like all the rest, but from what I’ve seen so far, he’s a good guy.”

“Well, that’s good to hear and here’s hoping for that match made in heaven.”

I wrap my arm around Mason’s waist and pull her close so her arm goes around me as a new possessive side of me that made its first appearance at the Let ’Er Buck Room at the Round Up this past week roars its ugly head again.

Last week it was due to close quarters and drunk cowboys and was perfectly acceptable. Today is more about making my place at Mason’s side clear. Andy needs to know my role in her life. No need for him to make any assumptions when it comes to us.

“Well, we’re gonna head up now. Miles will be staying with me and please let him in and out at any time. My place is his place, okay?”

“Of course, Miss Mason. Looks like your time in Oregon has been good for you. You look very happy.”