Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Huck’s hand relaxed, and he nodded. “I wasn’t aware Maddy had spoken to you about it.”
The front door swung open, and we walked inside. This was my first time inside the mansion, and in awe, I paused for a moment. Marble floor and a massive staircase that curled around, going up more than one floor. The chandelier that hung in the entrance was opulent.
“Mr. Kingston,” the man at the door greeted Huck, then turned to the others as they entered.
Huck walked us under the chandelier and through a large arched doorway. We made another turn and then went down a few steps before walking out the two open double doors leading out onto a terrace that overlooked an elaborate garden. There wasn’t a tree or bush that wasn’t twinkling. Music played as people mingled with drinks in their hands.
To the right was a dance floor, and a live band sat off to the left of it. Tuxedo-clad men in cowboy hats and boots and beautiful women draped in expensive jewelry filled the area, making me feel more out of place than I had ever felt in my life.
An older man with a white beard raised his hand in greeting when he saw Huck. “Just the man I wanted to see. Garrett doesn’t share you, and I need help with a problem thoroughbred that has excellent bloodlines.”
Huck led us over to the older man, who was standing with a younger woman. The woman was currently ogling Huck. She was gorgeous and sophisticated. Her blonde hair was styled in an upswept hairdo, leaving her neck and shoulders bare. Her lean body allowed her to wear the kind of dress I could never get away with. It was so low-cut in the front that it almost went to her navel. She had no worries about her boobs breaking free. They were small and perky. Must be nice.
“Judas,” Huck replied with a nod of his head. “I’d be happy to help, but you know Garrett must agree.”
Judas chuckled as if that were funny. “Of course,” he agreed, and then his eyes went to me. “Who is this stunning beauty?”
“Trinity Bennett,” he said. “Trinity, this is Judas Aiken and his wife, Iris. They’re old family friends of the Hugheses’.”
Oh, wow, this man could be her father, and they were married.
“I’m shocked to see you with a date,” Iris piped in with a smirk on her red lips. “You normally leave with a couple on your arms.”
Neither Huck nor Judas responded to that comment.
Judas looked back to Huck. “I hear you’re breaking a mustang for Blaise.”
I tried to stay focused on the conversation. I knew very little about horses, so it was hard to follow. Another lady walked up, and Iris began talking to her. I could feel their gazes on me and hear their hushed tones. Even with the dress, shoes, and jewelry Maddy had sent me, it was clear I didn’t fit into this world. I should have tried harder to do something with my hair.
“Let’s go get a drink,” Huck said to me, and I realized he was done talking to Judas.
Relieved that was over, I went with him to the bar that was set up under a tree with pink blooms.
Huck ordered for us, and I was thankful I hadn’t had to tell him something I wanted. When he handed me a glass of champagne, I quickly took a drink, hoping to calm my nerves. I felt him watching me, and I met his gaze.
“Liquid courage,” I said with a smile.
The corner of his lips curled up as he took the glass with dark amber liquid in it from the bartender. “This isn’t my thing either. Part of the business though,” he said, then took a drink.
“Is Garrett married to a woman half his age?” I asked, wondering if that was a thing among these men. I didn’t see one older lady in attendance, but there were plenty of older men.
Huck chuckled. “Currently, Garrett isn’t married. He’s had a few wives over the years. Trev and Blaise don’t have the same mother. But Garrett doesn’t exactly look old. He might be forty-eight years old, but he could pass for late thirties. Even if he wasn’t wealthy and powerful, women would be attracted to him. The Hugheses have good genes.”
I wondered how many ex-wives Garrett Hughes had. I couldn’t imagine being married to a man like him was easy. My thoughts went to Maddy and Cree. I hoped that her future wasn’t going to be similar.
“The boys stayed with their dad then? They didn’t go with their mothers?”
Huck took a drink. “Males born into the family don’t leave their fathers. They’re the next generation. Females often go with their moms, but even when divorce happens, they are still guarded.”
Guarded? What did that mean exactly? I started to ask, but I stopped myself. I hadn’t witnessed Blaise with Maddy, but she seemed secure in her marriage. I couldn’t imagine a man not wanting her. Did she fear losing Cree if that day came?