Total pages in book: 189
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
“I’m sure. This won’t take me long.”
“All right. Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, Larissa,” Kendra replied before resuming scrolling on her phone.
Putting the dishes in the sink, Moon started cleaning up the mess he had made. Once the dishes were in the dishwasher, he walked to the table and sat down.
Kendra didn’t bother acknowledging he was there.
“I think we need to talk.”
Setting her phone on the table, she gave him an inquiring look. “What would you like to discuss?”
“For starters”—he was done pussyfooting around with the bitch—“I want to know what game you’re playing.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
He narrowed his gaze on her. “Why have you really been treating Larissa like shit?”
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
“Tell me, Moon, how am I treating my daughter badly?”
“You put her down at every opportunity in front of me,” he snapped.
Kendra tilted her head. “If you felt that way, why haven’t you said anything before now?”
“I didn’t want to upset Larissa.”
“Really?” Kendra gave him a direct stare. “Or have I finally angered you enough over your precious jelly to say something?”
If any of the brothers were there, they would be amazed at the rigid self-control he was exerting to keep himself from tossing her out the front door.
“Unlike you, I haven’t wanted to upset Larissa,” he repeated.
Kendra gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes as she rose from the table. “I think I’ll have a glass of wine. Would you like to join me?”
“No, thanks.”
Moon half-turned in his chair to watch her as she went to the fridge.
Taking out a bottle, she poured herself a generous glass before putting the bottle back inside. Before closing the door, she pulled out a bottle of beer, then brought the wine and beer back to the table and set the bottle of beer in front of him.
“Maybe this is more to your taste. Alexa,” she called out to the speaker sitting on the kitchen counter, “play some soft music.”
The strains of “Killing Me Softly” started filling the air.
“I don’t think Larissa needs to hear our conservation,” she explained as she sat at the table. Kendra took a sip of the wine before setting the glass down then folding her hands on the table. “Moon, may I be frank with you?”
Twisting the beer cap off, he took a drink. “Please do. Just be aware that I plan to be just as blunt.”
“Please do. That is my intention for us—to be honest with one another.”
Moon waved his hand at her. “Go for it.”
“Thank you. I will. Moon, I have raised my daughters to have a brain where men are concerned. Unfortunately, their emotions get the better of them, and I’ve had to sit back and watch two of my daughters get their hearts broken. Lana, I’m hoping after her disastrous failed engagement, will be somewhat more discerning before becoming involved in another relationship. Larissa”—Kendra’s expression turned sorrowful—“on the other hand, is my most trusting child, trying to find the best in everyone. Especially when she loves them.”
Straightening his relaxed posture at hearing that Larissa loved him, he instantly went on high alert. Kendra’s piercing stare made him want to fidget under her regard. In an effort to guard his reaction, he lifted the beer to his lips.
“You don’t have anything to say about what I just said?”
“I refuse to get in an argument with you over Larissa and my relationship.”
“Yet you had no problem showing me your anger when I threw away the preserves and juice. Can you understand my concern?”
“You could have made the point without throwing good food away.”
Kendra’s expression became fiercer, her upper body leaning toward the table. “You were so far up on your high horse that I thought you were going to beam me with the juice bottle, but for several days, you’ve let me criticize Larissa repeatedly without saying one word.”
“I was going to say something tonight.”
“Yet it took you less than two minutes to say something about what you cared about.”
“I didn’t feel comfortable getting between you and Larissa’s relationship, just as I don’t want you to interfere in our relationship.”
Kendra leaned back in her chair, her hand going to the wine glass. “Moon, may I cut to the chase?”
“I wish you would,” he said drily.
“Don’t patronize me.” She looked at him as if he were a bug under a microscope. “I may be sixty-one years old, but I see you. Larissa does, too. You aren’t fooling either of us.”
“Exactly how am I trying to deceive either of you?”
Kendra’s lips curled disdainfully. “Please …” Snideness dripped from her voice. “Don’t patronize me. A blind man would have seen you hiding across the street from my house. Both Larissa and I saw you. Your intent was to scare Larissa into coming back to Treepoint. When she called to tell me what happened in Jamestown, I told her to come home. She refused, wanted her child to have a father in their life. Even when you started playing nice, she took your efforts at face value and allowed you to talk her into moving back to Treepoint. As far as I can tell, she has made a good faith effort with everything you have suggested for her to do. Even to the point that Lana and Priss are living separately while you play house with Larissa.”