RELEASE TOUR incl Exclusive Excerpt: This Guy by Lane Hayes
Length: 77,000 Series: Wood Hollow Stories, Book 1 Prior Reading: n/a Genre: Contemporary, Small-Town, Bisexual Tropes: Single Dad, Sports, Lumberjack, Hurt/Comfort Trigger/Content Warnings: n/a Designer: Sleepy Fox Studio
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“Hmm.” More nibbling. “What do you do at the mill? Did I ask that already? I forgot.”
“You did. That’s okay. I run the mill for the owner. Hank doesn’t know some of the more hands-on aspects of the job, so I’m his liaison.”
Silas twisted slightly, holding his grilled cheese in midair while his thorough once-over lingered at my chest. “You mean the job of being a lumberjack?”
“Technically, we’re loggers…not lumberjacks.”
“I like lumberjack better,” he said offhandedly. “Is there a difference?”
“Lumberjack is more of a cultural reference. You know…a guy with an axe, chopping down trees in his plaid flannel shirt. We don’t use axes to chop down trees.”
“But you still wear the shirts.” Silas gestured meaningfully.
“True.”
“The lack of axes is disappointing. Don’t tell me robots do all the work n-now.”
I fixated on his mouth as he bit into the crust. I wasn’t perving on the guy…I swear. I was more concerned that his jaw was clacking again and his lips were too pale. Not blue, but not quite right.
“No robots. Just a lot of sophisticated machinery. It might not be as exciting as—I don’t know…playing professional football, but it can be interesting. In a Jeopardy category about trees, I’d kick your ass.”
Silas’s laughter was a tad hoarse, but his eyes sparked with real amusement. “Dude. You’d kick my ass at any c-category of Jeopardy. I’m no g-good at trivia.”
“I’m not either. I know what I know.”
“Trees.”
“Mmhmm.” I handed him the thermos. “Try the tea now. It’ll be good for you.”
He obeyed. “Same. I know what I know…or knew.”
“Football.”
Silas made a noise that I thought might be a mumbled agreement but could have been mistaken for a whimper. “Yeah.”
“Must feel strange to be retired before forty,” I ventured after a long silence.
He narrowed his eyes. “Forty? I’m thirty-six. Do I look forty?”
“I said before forty.”
Silas was on a roll. “Shit…don’t tell me. I don’t want to know that I’m a fossil.”
I chuckled. “Hey, I’m forty-one.”
“You look forty-one. A good forty-one. You know…well-preserved.” His lips twitched. “Can I say that?”
“No, you can fuck yourself.”
“As soon as the sh-shivers stop, I will.” Silas flashed a naughty half smile.
“Okay…TMI.”
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
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