Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
She blinked and tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Please, I miss my family.”
This was the same woman who had fucked her boyfriend in our bed while our children slept upstairs. I had no patience for her.
“Don’t come here uninvited again,” I said.
“I want to see my kids! They’re my kids, too, and I want them back!”
I was already walking away. I’d moved on from fighting with Andrea, and I was never going back to it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Shea
My flowerbeds had been weeded. I smiled as I pulled into my driveway and saw how neat my mom had made my yard look. No matter how many times I told her she didn’t have to do it, she was always coming over to take care of little things for me since I spent so much time at work.
It was rare for me to actually see my yard in daylight because I so often got home after dark. Today had been particularly rough because a refrigerated supply truck had broken down on the way to The Sleepy Moose, spoiling everything inside.
I’d had to create new menus for the next couple of days and scramble to source ingredients. I was looking forward to showering and going straight to bed.
But as soon as I opened my back door and walked inside, the savory smell of slow-cooked beef made my stomach rumble. Mom had put a roast and veggies in my slow cooker. Tears pricked my eyes as I looked through the glass lid at the food inside.
It was hard for me to eat at work, and when I did, it was usually just a few bites or a quick sandwich eaten on the go. Never while sitting down. Getting to enjoy this meal in my own home, with no one talking to me or asking for anything, was exactly what I needed.
I texted my mom to thank her and had just dished up a steaming bowl of beef stew when there was an insistent knock at my door.
I smiled wearily to myself as I imagined Caden standing there, asking why I had dared to leave work.
When I opened the door, though, I saw Hilary Newton, who worked for Georgette’s Flowers. She was holding a massive vase of red roses.
“I would have delivered this to The Moose, but the instructions specifically said to bring it here,” she said flatly. “I was about to set up a tent in your front yard and wait for you to get here.”
Flowers? I had never in my life gotten flowers. My heart raced as I imagined Holt writing out a note of apology over his ex-wife showing up last night. Not necessary at all, but incredibly sweet.
“Let me grab my purse,” I said.
“No, I was tipped with the order,” Hilary said, passing me the vase. “Have a good night.”
“Thanks.”
I closed the door and carried the vase to my kitchen table, setting it down. There had to be two dozen red roses inside, each one surrounded by greenery. I leaned in to smell the perfume of one of the buds.
Thoughts of the weekend with Holt snuck in even when I was crazy busy at work. It seemed like a far-off dream now, but seeing him last night had brought it back to the front of my mind. He was everything I ever hoped to find in a man and more: strong, kind, smart and funny.
Maybe we could figure this out, bad timing or not. I opened the card, my smile sliding away as I read the words.
Shea,
Please reconsider my offer of employment. I’ll pay whatever you ask. Let’s discuss it at your earliest convenience.
Keller
The flowers were from Keller Strauss? My heart sank as I read the message again.
This was about Keller wanting to make me his personal chef, nothing more. He’d written his phone number at the bottom of the card.
I needed to just get a bunch of cats and accept my spinsterhood. Cats would never let me down.
As I ate my stew and browsed Facebook photos of friends who did things other than work, I considered Keller’s message. He’d pay whatever I asked?
Keller was a billionaire. He could easily pay me double or triple what I made at The Moose. I didn’t want to take advantage, but maybe this was an opportunity for me. I’d get to travel with him and see new places, all while saving up a lot of money for my future.
I’d never considered a future as anything but the chef at The Sleepy Moose. I loved my work and I loved the people who worked with me, but life was passing me by. I was in my thirties now and had nothing to show for it but a home my mom had to help me take care of because of my work schedule.
Maybe this was a sign. A neon sign from the universe telling me to take a chance. Try something new. Working long hours almost every day and pining for a man who wasn’t ready for a relationship wasn’t working, so I had to at least meet with Keller and consider this job offer.