Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“I heard you spoke with Ryleigh.” My eyes fly to hers.
“You were in the room when I got the number, so that’s not a surprise.” I chuckle.
“Did you talk to Dad?” She folds her arms over her chest and cocks her hip to the side.
“There is nothing to talk to him about.” I dismiss the question.
“You don’t think he’ll want to know about all of this?” She smiles. “Because if it means nothing, like you say it does, why wouldn’t you bring it up to him?” She asks the question but is not really asking it since she doesn’t give me a chance to say anything. “Unless you’re afraid of him.”
“I’m not afraid of anything.” I try to play it off.
“So it’s okay if I tell him?” The question earns her a glare. “That not only are you paying her lawyer bill—”
“I’m not paying her lawyer bill.” I point at her. “I just sent her a retainer.” Her head tilts to the side. “Why are you the biggest pain in my ass?”
“Because it’s my job as a younger sister,” she states proudly.
“Good to know.” I put down the pen. “But I have a tour to go and get ready for.” I look at my watch, seeing I have about ten minutes before they arrive. “Thanks to my younger sister, who decided it would be fun.”
“Those tours got us out of the red and into the green,” she points out. “You’re welcome again that my awesomeness has solved all of our problems.” I chuckle as I run my hands through my hair. “Now can you go to Ms. Maddie’s and see if they have any cakes left? Your nephew would like that very much.”
“Fine,” I say, walking with her toward her office and the back door, “if that will make you leave me alone.”
“Never.” She gets on her tippy-toes and kisses my cheek. “And can you get me a decaf coffee?”
“Anything else?” I pretend to be annoyed.
“Nope, that will be all.” She turns into her office as I walk out into the sunlight. My thoughts go straight to Harmony, wondering what she’s doing right now. I don’t have to think too hard because I spot her right in front of the coffee shop, but the woman in front of her has my blood turning cold.
“How dare you show your face in town,” Mrs. Cartwright says to her.
“I thought I felt a chill in the air.” I join whatever the conversation is, hoping like fuck she stops spewing the shit out of her mouth. “I just don’t see any black smoke filling the sky.” I look up. “Did you not take your broomstick today?”
Mrs. Cartwright’s face goes from shock to ashen white. “Why, I have never been—” She puts her hand to her chest.
“Stick around, there is more of that to give you,” I tell her. “We can sit down if you like and talk about your son.” I ignore the way her eyes go big, but after the shit I heard last night, I know if I’m around, Harmony will never hear the evil come out of her mouth again. “Not the one who died drunk driving and killing four people.” I look around, wondering if I’m going to have an audience. “The one who shows up at his ex-wife’s house blitzed out of his mind in the middle of the night, asking to see his son—”
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”
“You would believe wrong since I live next door, and he doesn’t do it quietly,” I point out to her. “Now, I know this is going to fall on deaf ears since you think he can do no wrong”—I smile at her—“but he does that again, I have no problem calling the sheriff and reporting it.” She glares at me before she turns on her heel and walks away. “Have a blessed day,” I call to her retreating back. “Fucking bitch,” I mumble, then turn to Harmony.
“You do not take any shit that lady gives you.” I point to where Mrs. Cartwright just walked away from me. “Not one fucking word.”
“I usually stay clear of her, but she caught me coming out of the bakery,” she shares, looking at me. “This scene is going to get back to Winston…”
“Good, I hope it does,” I retort. “Now, I have to get my sister some cake or else she’s going to go apeshit.” She laughs. “Want a coffee?” I ask instead of just telling her I’ll see her later.
“I already had coffee this morning, but thanks.” She smiles at me, and if I could, I would lean in and kiss her.
“Okay,” I concede. “I guess I’ll see you later?”
“Unless I got fired, and I don’t know it.” She laughs, and I want to hear her laugh more.
“Not that I know of.” I smirk at her. “See you later.” I walk away from her before doing something stupid in the middle of Main Street.