Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 145676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
An odd digital ring broke the haze of the fevered kiss. Robert stopped skimming his hands over Landon’s stomach muscles, and Landon almost whimpered at the loss of the other man’s caress. The ring sounded again, and Landon lifted his head from the lock he had on Robert’s neck. They both looked in the direction of the sound. Robert’s laptop came to life and his grandmother’s name and picture appeared on the screen.
Landon immediately jumped up as if they’d been caught in the act and went for the computer. Through the hours of their conversations, and even longer, as he’d read Vice President Adams’s memoirs, he knew Kennedy Adams was older, and he panicked when her name appeared at such a late hour.
“I’ll get it.” He grabbed the computer and brought it back to Robert, who answered without hesitation.
“Nonnie?”
Landon took the seat next to Robert, without getting into Kennedy’s view. He ran his fingers through his hair, making sure he was put together then angled his head against the back of the sofa to see for himself that she was okay.
“Can you see me, Robert?” Kennedy asked, a perplexed expression on her face as she looked at the screen.
“I can. Are you all right?” he asked as Kennedy moved in and out of the camera’s range. He must have seen enough to know everything was good because Robert smiled, his gaze never leaving the screen.
“I can see him. How do I know if he can see me?” she asked someone off-screen.
“Right here, Mrs. Adams.” A younger woman came into the camera’s view and tapped on the screen’s lower corner. Mrs. Adams looked down, and her worried gaze lightened when she lifted her head and stared at the camera.
“This is called Skype,” Mrs. Adams explained as if Robert wouldn’t already understand the program. That caused Robert to chuckle, and Landon’s grin split ear to ear. “I can video call you now. It’s not that hard to work.”
“I can see that, Nonnie. What’s going on that you’re up so late?” Robert asked, sitting up straighter on the sofa, angling the laptop better in his lap.
“We’re up planning Autumn’s wedding. Lauren here’s helping me, and I haven’t heard from you since I left Minnesota. I’ve changed the plans. We’ll have the wedding on my downstairs terrace. It’s such a lovely time of year. I’ve decided it’s best for you to give Autumn away. She’s arguing with me, saying she wants to give herself away, but we’re not having that. I’ve got the local bed and breakfast willing to house Cameron’s family. You and Autumn will of course stay with me.” Robert grinned as Kennedy gave all the random details of a wedding Landon had heard about in passing, from both Robert and Autumn. He wasn’t a hundred percent certain when the nuptials were planned, but he could see, whatever age Kennedy had on her, it hadn’t dulled her mind. She was sharp as a tack.
“I’ll do whatever you two decide.” Good answer, not committing to either side. Landon nodded his approval.
“Son, you’ll tell her you’re walking her down the aisle. She’s impossible to deal with when she gets something stuck in her mind.” Mrs. Adams shook her head in frustrated disgust.
“Okay, I’ll make the suggestion next time I talk to her.” Again, Robert answered by giving himself wiggle room, and it made Landon laugh; probably not the first time Robert had been placed in this situation, but Mrs. Adams seemed appeased and nodded.
“Autumn wants me to go heavy on the flowers to help represent your fathers. I like that idea, plus they’re so easy to decorate with. I think we’re doing a variety of flowers, but probably not the calla lily. That flower seems depressing to me.”
Robert laughed, causing Landon to take a closer look for whatever he’d missed. “And Autumn wants them, right? So, I’m supposed to say they’re depressing?”
Kennedy scowled at Robert. “You were always too smart for your own good.”
With a happy grin, Robert’s gaze landed on him. “The women of my family are a force. You’ll learn soon enough to navigate them.”
“I can see they are,” Landon whispered quietly as if Robert’s looking and talking to him might not have been noticed.
“Are you with someone?” Mrs. Adams tilted her head as if she could see past the range of the camera to where Landon sat. His nerves shifted into overdrive at her words. “Is that why your hair’s all messed up?” That question made Landon’s face heat in embarrassment as Robert brought both hands to his head, straightening the mess when Mrs. Adams just laughed. “I was teasing. Is he the soldier?”
“Yes, it’s him. Nonnie meet Landon. Landon this is Kennedy Adams—you know, my grandmother.”
Landon shook his head until Robert moved the laptop and the full screen landed on him.