Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “The mega lottery!”
Chapter Four
GEORGIANA
The moment I stepped into Blayze’s house, I was captivated. It was a mixture of rock and wood, and I instantly felt a calm come over me. There was a large picture window opposite the front door that overlooked a pond that was fed by one of the creeks that ran through the Shaw ranch. I knew it well because I had played here as a little girl. I’d spent so much time learning how to fish in that pond and swim. I had such fond memories of it, and obviously Blayze did, too, since he built his house near it.
To the right of me was a large living room. A fireplace made from the same dry stacked rock outside went all the way up to the timber beams and the stunning wood ceiling. Large leather furniture filled the living room, adding the right homey touch. A wide pool table sat between the living area and the dining area.
A high-top round table with four red leather chairs housed a small fall bouquet in the center. I turned back to see a quilt draped over the back of the sofa and another fall decoration on the coffee table.
My heart started to hammer in my chest. I had never even thought to ask Blayze if he was dating anyone.
Turning back to the kitchen area, I studied it carefully. The cabinets looked to be knotty alder, stained in a light color to show off the texture of the natural wood. The large island held the countertop stove and an expansive counter with four bar chairs pulled up to it. A hurricane lamp sat on the bar with a bowl of fruit next to it.
There was another large picture window behind the farmhouse-style kitchen sink opposite the island. Yet another fall decoration sat to the side of the sink.
Everything was pristine. Spotless. Clearly a woman lived here. The main living area was masculine, yet it had small touches that screamed a woman was present and making it her own space.
“I’d never leave this place if it were mine,” I whispered as I slowly turned, taking in the open-concept first floor.
“Thanks. It’s my sanctuary, no doubt about it.”
I smiled and gave him a slight nod.
“Come on, I’ll show you around really quickly, then take your stuff up to your room.”
All I could do was follow him as he led me into a large bedroom, which I was guessing was his. Wood planks covered the wall and were stained the same color as the kitchen cabinets.
There was a king-size bed with an old blue-and-white quilt on top and a tan blanket thrown across the bottom of it. One large dresser sat across from the bed, and off to the other side was a nook area that overlooked the water. A large chair with an ottoman sat there just waiting for someone to curl up in it with a warm cup of coffee and a book. Next to it was a small table, and it was then that I noticed the book. I casually made my way over to the window with the excuse of looking at the view.
“What a stunning view. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to this every morning?”
Blayze laughed. “It’s a struggle to get out of bed sometimes.”
Turning to look back at him, I made myself smile. “I bet.”
I glanced down and picked up the book, frowning when I saw the title. The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin.
He has a girlfriend. Why does that make me feel so…so sad?
Putting the book back down, I hugged myself and faced Blayze.
“Do you like to read?” he asked.
“I love to read. Historical romance is my favorite.”
He smiled. “Really? Do you like World War Two-era books?”
“If it has a happy ending,” I said with a slight chuckle.
“You should read that one. It’s a great book. Morgan left it when she stayed here a few months back. I found it in the spare bedroom. Read it that night until four in the morning. I was fucking exhausted the next day. It has a…what does Morgan call it?…an HEA.”
I laughed. “You read a romance book?”
“I like the historical ones. Morgan got me hooked. Not a fan of contemporary romance, but she says I just haven’t read the right one yet.”
Staring at him like he was insane, I asked again, “Wow, that’s kind of crazy.”
He tilted his head and regarded me. “Are you saying guys can’t read romance?”
“No! I’m not saying that at all. I just assumed it was…”
Lifting a brow, he smirked. “It was what?”
I licked my suddenly dry lips and paused for a moment before I said, “Your girlfriend’s.”
Blayze’s eyes darted down to my lips, and I had the urge to press them together tightly but forced myself not to. Instead, I looked out the window to see a beautiful view of a sprawling pasture with the mountains in the background. A few cattle dotted the rolling landscape, and I thought I spied a paint horse.