Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Energized, I looked around at the family photographs on the walls in the lobby—generations of McIntyres who’d given their all to this place. I wouldn’t let them down.
At three o’clock, Tabitha strolled in, an hour late for her shift, dressed in a hot pink velour track suit. “Hey,” she said without lifting her eyes from her phone.
I closed my notebook and dropped it into my bag under the desk. “Where were you?”
“I was doing a photo shoot a couple hours away. The light was great, so I didn’t want to cut it short.” She continued to study her screen, probably looking at pictures of herself. It was one of her favorite activities. Although, truth be told, if I looked like Tabitha, I’d probably enjoy it too. While her personality could be tart, she had the sweet, ethereal beauty of a Renaissance Madonna—the long golden hair, the high smooth forehead, the flawless ivory skin.
“Photo shoot for what?”
“Just something for my blog,” she said briskly, setting her phone aside and looking at me for the first time. “You look a little rough.”
“I’m tired. Didn’t get much sleep.”
She smirked, folding her arms over her chest. “Late night with Dr. Smalley?”
“No. Just a late night.”
“With who?”
“With nobody.”
She rolled her eyes. “You never have late nights. You must have been with someone.”
“It’s no one you know,” I said casually, turning my attention to the computer screen, like I was hunting for a reservation.
“Try me.”
I thought about shutting down the conversation then and there, but Tabitha was always bragging about all the guys interested in her.
“His name is Devlin,” I said.
“Devlin what?”
“Actually, I didn’t get his last name.”
“You went home with someone and you didn’t even know his last name?” she shouted just as a couple was entering the lobby through the front door.
“Will you be quiet?” I gave her a sharp glance. “I didn’t go home with him.” The couple bypassed the front desk with a wave and headed for the elevators. I turned to Tabitha. “I brought him home with me.”
My cousin laughed. “Same difference. Awfully trusting, aren’t you? What if he was a total creeper?”
“He wasn’t.” But rather than give in to the urge to gush about my night, I decided to change the subject. “Hey, has Gran ever mentioned her will to you?”
“No. Why?” Tabitha’s wide-set eyes narrowed. “Is this about the pearls? Because those are mine. She promised them to me years ago.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not about the pearls. We’ve never discussed her will at all. But yesterday, out of the blue, she told me that whoever inherits Snowberry has to be married.”
“Oh.” Tabitha looked way less interested now that the pearls were not in question. “Who cares? This place is going under anyway. I hope Gran sells fast. She said once it happens, I can have my inheritance early. I just love Gran.”
I was about to lose my shit when our grandmother came walking into the reception area from the back hallway. “Hello, darlings,” she said, bringing with her the scent of lilies of the valley and mothballs.
Tabitha gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Gran. Is that a new sweater?”
Gran looked down at the floral-embroidered cardigan I’d seen her wear a hundred times. “Aren’t you sweet? No, this isn’t new. I just unzipped my fall clothing from the storage bags.” She turned to me. “How was your evening with Dr. Smalley?”
“It was short,” I said.
Tabitha coughed noisily.
“He decided he’s not quite ready to date again, Gran,” I told her. “He needs more time to heal.”
My grandmother’s narrow shoulders drooped. “What a shame.”
“Don’t worry. She still had a good time last night.” Tabitha’s eyes twinkled.
“Anyway.” I gave my cousin a murderous look behind Gran’s back. “What time is lunch tomorrow? And where?”
“It’s at noon. The representative from Black Diamond Resorts will meet us in the restaurant.”
“I’ll get there early and grab a good table,” I told her.
“Why are you going to this lunch?” Tabitha narrowed her eyes in my direction. “Should I come too?”
“You’ll be working the desk,” I reminded her. “You’ve got the first shift tomorrow.”
“But how do I know my interests are going to be represented fairly?” She pouted. “I stand to profit from this sale too, right Gran?”
“Let’s just see how it goes tomorrow,” our grandmother said smoothly. “I haven’t made up my mind about the sale quite yet, but you both have to trust me.”
Tabitha looked worried for a second, but then she rearranged her face into a more serene expression. “I trust you, Gran. You look a little tired. Can I get you some tea?”
“That sounds lovely, dear. I’ll be in my office. Can you bring it to me there?”
“Of course. I’ll just be a minute.” Tabitha gave me a triumphant look before hurrying down the hallway toward our small employee kitchen and break room.