Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Phillip stands by the boathouse, watching the water and taking in our surroundings, always alert. I feel awful that I didn’t know about his wife’s pregnancy. And due any day besides. I would have made other arrangements when I came to Montana last week had I known.
It’s good that Phillip is going back to London this evening. But now I’ll have Liam stuck to me like glue for the next four weeks.
Not that looking at him is a hardship. He can be curt with me, but I probably deserve it.
Especially after last year. I was going through a bit of a rebellious phase.
One near-death experience was enough to pull me out of that stupidity.
Liam’s never forgiven me, though. Perhaps I’ll be able to have a conversation with him over the next couple of days. I’ll apologize and clear the air.
With a plan in place, I open my book and settle in for a lazy afternoon near the water.
Chapter 2
~Ellie~
“Are you saying you don’t want me here?” I frown at my sister-in-law as she shakes her head back and forth, her pretty blond hair swaying with the movement.
“Not at all,” she insists. “You know I love having you here. But the boathouse is more private for you.”
“You’re going to be here for a month,” Sebastian adds. “We were trying to be sensitive to your privacy. The apartment out there is empty but still on the property, so there’s no issue for security.”
I’m sitting in the living room of Sebastian’s home, staring out the windows at the boathouse below. I’ve never had the opportunity to stay somewhere detached from the palace or the primary residence of wherever we were staying.
The idea of having more privacy takes root, and I find myself nodding in agreement. “Can we go down and have a peek?”
“Of course,” Nina says, jumping up from the couch. We walk down to the door leading outside and find Nick waiting for us.
So far, I haven’t seen Liam at all today, but I also haven’t had to leave the house. Thanks to modern technology, we can be monitored easily from the guest house where the security team is stationed.
Charles arrived last evening, and Phillip left straight away, so as of right now, I’m Liam’s charge.
“Ellie and I are going down to the boathouse,” Nina informs Nick as we walk past him and down the path to the dock that leads to the boathouse door. Nick follows not far behind. “I’ve already redecorated this space,” she says.
We enter the boathouse and climb a set of stairs that leads to an open room.
“Oh, this is beautiful.”
“As you can see, I love Joanna Gaines,” Nina says with a laugh.
The space is painted white with light grey wood floors. The small kitchen is open to the living area, and the space is decorated with colorful rugs and pillows. A couch and a chair face a television, the living area adjacent to a small dining room, and the windows facing the water are huge.
“That view is spectacular.”
“Trust me, I’ve thought of moving out here myself,” Nina says. “It’s quiet, the apartment is cute, and the view can’t be beat. Also, check this out.”
She walks to the wall of windows. To my surprise, she pulls open the glass and leads me out onto a wide deck.
I could live here for the rest of my days. With the lake and the mountains, it’s the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen.
“Wow.”
“I know,” Nina says. “Come on, I’ll show you the bedroom.”
We walk back inside, and she shows me the master suite with its attached bathroom. There’s a soaking tub that has my name written all over it.
With another half-bath for guests, Nina has thought of everything.
“I absolutely want to stay out here,” I say once the tour is finished. “It’s completely perfect for me.”
“So, you don’t think I’m trying to get rid of you?” she asks.
“No. You’re right, I’ll be happy out here. Not that the house isn’t wonderful, but some alone time is exactly what I need.”
“I thought so.” Nina hugs me close and then holds my hand as we step back out onto the deck. “I know you came here because you were running from something. Or someone.”
I glance her way, but she just shrugs a shoulder.
“You’ll talk about it when you’re ready. But I know how it feels to need some space. You’ll get that out here.”
“Thank you.” I rest my head on Nina’s shoulder. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Where do you want these things?”
We turn at Liam’s voice and see him standing in the living room, holding my bags.
“Oh, in the bedroom,” I say.
“For the record,” he says after he sets my things in the bedroom and returns, “I’m not in favor of this arrangement.”
“Why not?” I ask, watching his handsome face. His jaw is set, his brown eyes hard as he props his hands on his hips and stares at me.