Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Ew.” Millie wrinkles her nose. “I don’t want to know about my brother’s dick.”
“It’s…yeah,” I reply and sip my drink. “I was kind of scared that it wouldn’t fit.”
“You bitch,” Polly says, shaking her head. “You lucky bitch.”
“Must run in the family,” Erin says with a satisfied grin, and I lean over the table to give her a high-five as Millie makes gagging noises behind her hand, making me laugh.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” I smile over at Erin and then sit back, and Pete arrives with a heaping tray full of our meals.
“I need all the food in the land,” Abbi announces. “I’m starving.”
“Me, too. Okay, enough about me being the newest citizen of pound town,” I say as I pop a chip into my mouth. “What do you do, Abbi? I know I’ve seen you around town, but I don’t think you’ve been here long.”
“Just a few months,” she says with a nod. “I’m a single mom, and we came here not long after the first of the year. I own a housekeeping business.”
“Hey, that’s cool,” Millie says. “Do you do rentals or businesses or what?”
“A little of everything, but I admit, the short-term rentals have been insane this summer. I had to hire four new girls and one husband/wife team.”
I blink over at her. “So, you’re not a one-woman show.”
“No, ma’am. Bitterroot Valley Housekeeping Services at your service.” She winks at me. “I’ve been in the cleaning business for a long time. My mom did it, and I’d help her out. I couldn’t afford college, and honestly, I like to clean. So, why not do what you like?”
“Hear, hear.” I hold my glass up in cheers. “I couldn’t agree more, and that’s how I ended up with a flower shop. Welcome to town, Abbi.”
“Thank you. I think Erin and I also bonded because we’re both new to town, but she and I agree that everyone here has been super kind and welcoming. Especially to Daisy, and that means a lot. I want my girl to thrive here.”
“She’s the cutest,” Erin says. “Well, maybe she and Holly are equally as cute.”
“I can agree with that,” Abbi says.
“I also have something to talk about,” Millie announces, and then takes a big bite of her cheeseburger. “And it’s kind of a big deal.”
“I love this night,” Polly says and grins. “We need to do this all the damn time.”
“I’m in,” Erin says. “My cousins and I used to do this all the time, and it’s really good for the soul. It’s the one thing I miss the most about being in Seattle, so let’s plan on it. Now, Millie, tell us. What’s going on?”
“I’m buying Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co.”
We’re all stunned speechless for about three seconds, and then we’re hooting and clapping, and I lean over to hug her tightly.
“Congratulations.” I pat her back and then gesture for Pete to bring us another round. “We’re celebrating, Pete.”
“I’ve got you,” he says with a wink before hurrying off to the bar.
“How did this happen?” Erin wants to know. “Marion hasn’t said anything to me.”
“We don’t want to announce it officially until it’s all done,” Millie says, and frowns over at Erin. “And I’m sorry for holding out on you. You’re my best friend.”
“It’s fine.” Erin waves that off. “Is Marion leaving?”
“No, she’s starting a catering company and doesn’t want to handle both businesses, and, since I’ve been there for so long, she offered it to me first. I had a meeting with Ryan, and he’s going to front me the money, and my next meeting was going to be with you, Erin, because I’m going to need a bookkeeper. But we’re here now, and I couldn’t keep my mouth shut anymore.”
“Of course, I’ll help you,” Erin says and shimmies in her seat. “Oh, this is so fun.”
“Look at us,” Polly says, her gaze moving over all of us. “A table full of badass business owners.”
Erin frowns at that. “I love the sentiment, but I don’t own a business.”
“Bullshit,” Millie says before I can. “You do bookkeeping, you’re building that gorgeous event space at the ranch you’re in charge of, and you’re marrying my brother, which makes you the new co-owner of the ranch. You’re one badass business owner, Erin Montgomery.”
Erin blinks at her, and then she smiles and does another shimmy in her seat. “Holy fucking shit, you’re right. I own shit. Damn, the taxes are going to be a pain in the ass.”
“You’re not wrong,” I reply with a grin, and Millie scowls.
“I don’t want to deal with taxes,” Millie grumbles. “That’s why I need you, Erin.”
“I’ll help,” Erin promises. “Okay, you guys, we need to keep doing this. And we should start a group for other women in business, to help each other.”
“Oh, I like that,” Polly says, nodding. “That has a lot of promise. I can’t tell you how many times I wish I’d been able to ask questions from other business owners.”