Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Tamsin couldn’t believe she had done it, and she had loved every single second of bringing him pleasure. She also knew, without a shadow of a doubt, she wanted to do it again.
****
Mason couldn’t believe for a second day he was in the vegetable garden, helping to harvest. He’d never been the green-thumb sort, and didn’t much care for gardens. His grandfather had loved them and had done everything he could to maintain this place. This was why he hired David.
David had originally worked for his grandfather, but Paul, for some reason, had fired him immediately after his father’s passing. This is why Mason was now convinced that Paul had killed his father in the hope of obtaining this land to sell. If that hadn’t been his plan, he wouldn’t have fired David.
After the reading of the will, Mason had gone to David and asked for his help. Even at twenty years old, he had known he wasn’t suited to run this house. Slowly, he learned, with David’s help and guidance. He wanted to make his grandfather proud and to keep the legacy alive.
“Your grandfather would have loved Tamsin,” David said after Tamsin had excused herself to use the bathroom.
They had been harvesting potatoes for a couple of hours. Mason didn’t even know how they were going to store them, but he figured the kitchen staff had that all planned out.
“I think he would have as well,” Mason said. “She is not like a lot of women.”
“That is true. Not a lot of women would enjoy spending time in the garden, harvesting vegetables and fruits. Tamsin’s a good woman. Scared at times, and I imagine quite lonely.”
Mason frowned. “Lonely?”
“Well, you know how people are. Rumors and gossip. She is also a Denton, and if my memory serves, that family is quite large. Six brothers, if I remember correctly.”
“Yes, and a half-brother as well. Give or take.”
“Ah, yes. I remember.” David sighed. “They were all close. Your grandfather admired the Dentons and their close bond. He had hoped to have a large family of his own, but your grandmother wasn’t able to. After Paul, there were no more children.”
“Probably why my father was a spoiled brat,” Mason said.
“True, true. I remember when you and your brothers came along. Your grandparents were so thrilled. They had always loved children.” David smiled and he looked lost in his own world.
“My father changed the direction of everything, didn’t he?” Mason asked.
David had been with his grandfather for as long as Mason could remember.
“Yes.”
Mason ran fingers through his hair. “Do you think he killed my grandfather?”
“I don’t think we should discuss these matters.”
“You do, don’t you?” Mason asked. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought about it before.
He had vague memories of the two men arguing. Mason couldn’t remember what the argument was about, and it angered him.
David stopped working the soil and sat back on his heels.
“The Savonas name was one to be respected and at times feared. Your grandfather didn’t like to use fear, he liked to instill loyalty through respect. He believed that people helped you if you helped them. The Dentons had always been the biggest name, had the largest turf, and their reach was far and wide. Your grandfather never craved anything more than what he had. He had a great deal of legitimate businesses, and his sole aim was to make them bigger and better. Do you remember what your grandmother’s first job was?”
“She worked in a laundromat, I think. She was always obsessed with clean clothes.” Mason frowned as he thought about it.
“Your grandfather paid for that laundromat, and I do believe it’s still in the family.”
Mason knew what it was used for now. His father had turned it into a way to launder money.
There was so much he had forgotten.
His grandfather’s words of wisdom and advice over the years:
“Remember, Mason, your word means everything. You break your word, and no one can trust you, or value you. The only real value to life is having those you can trust around you. Those you care about, who only want the best for you.”
He pulled out of his thoughts to see Tamsin walking toward them, carrying a tray. On top was a large pitcher of lemonade and three glasses.
“I figured we are all working hard and a glass of lemonade is just what the doctor ordered.” She placed it on the table, on the small patio. Removing his gloves, he brushed off the specks of soil, and walked over.
He watched as Tamsin poured a glass of lemonade and handed it to him. She was one of a kind. He had never spent time with a woman harvesting vegetables, and being happy about it.
Sipping his drink, he watched her pour David a glass. They had a special friendship. He did wonder if David saw himself as a father figure to Tamsin, or a friend. Either way, he was glad she had found someone she could trust.