Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“You’re very detail-oriented.”
“I have to be.”
“Your mother was as well. She used to make lists.”
I blinked.
“You remember her?”
He sighed. “Yes, I do. She was a lovely woman, Ashley. Far too good for the likes of me back then. She was kind and charming. Funny as hell. She was vastly different from most of the models I dated.”
I had to ask. “Why did you break up?”
“She developed feelings for me. I didn’t do feelings back then.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We argued, and I broke it off.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “I never saw her again, and I didn’t know about you.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “That’s the crux, isn’t it? She told me you did, you say you didn’t. We each have our own truth.”
“You lived with her truth your whole life. I understand you don’t believe me, but if possible, I would like to maybe have the chance to get to know you. For you to get to know me.”
“To what end?” I asked, my throat feeling strangely thick.
“You’re not as alone in this world as you thought you were, Ashley. You have half-siblings. An extended family that happens to be connected to the man you love. If you give us a chance, you might find you like us.” He paused. “Surely you must want that. Otherwise, why did you tell me who you were?”
“I wanted to punish you for abandoning me. I wanted to make you admit it,” I confessed.
“I can’t admit to something I didn’t do—because I didn’t know.” He stood, moving around my office, looking at some of the items I had displayed. He turned and faced me. “I fully admit, if your mother had told me, I probably would have walked away anyway, but I would have helped financially. And I think once I got my head out of my ass, I would have been involved in whatever capacity your mother allowed. But I have no idea since I never was informed.”
“Why would she lie?”
He sat down. “She was right to protect you from the man I was then. It was all she knew about me. Why she told you I knew?” He shrugged. “Maybe she thought if she told you that, you’d never come looking and be hurt by me. She didn’t know I had changed. I have no idea.” He was quiet as he studied me. “And I am sorrier about that than I can express.”
For a moment, our eyes locked. Hazel irises so similar, yet with such different perspectives. I didn’t know what to say. How to respond.
As if sensing my turmoil, he stood.
“Thank you for allowing me to interrupt your day and spend a little time with you.” A grin tugged at his lips. “For not throwing your coffee—or water—at me.”
“Thank you for my flowers.”
He dipped his chin in acknowledgment and headed to the door.
“Richard,” I said.
He turned, looking pleased I had called him back.
“Heather said you told your kids.”
“Yes, I did.”
“She also said you and Grace had a falling-out.”
“We’re working on it.”
“Heather also told me she and Grace had a fight.” I swallowed. “I didn’t mean to cause you discord with your family.” I shook my head sadly. “I didn’t think it through before I came at you. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you for saying that. We’re all working through it.”
“I’m seeing Heather tomorrow. I-I’m taking a client to the winery to have a look at it for her wedding.”
“It’s a great spot for a wedding. I’m sure your client will like it.” He smiled. “And I’m glad you’re still friends.”
He paused, his hand on the door. “I hope one day we can be friends too, Ashley. I’d like that.” He frowned then spoke again. “And although I’m sorry it happened the way it did, I’m not sorry to have met you.”
Then he was gone, leaving me with my thoughts.
29
ASHLEY
Given that Richard and Heather had both shown up unannounced at my office, the welcoming committee that greeted me the next morning at the winery shouldn’t have surprised me.
Heather was by the door, offering me a hug as I walked in with my clients. Behind her was Addison Riley, the president of ABC, and to my shock, standing to the side, watching me cautiously, was Grace. I tamped down my sudden nerves and steeled myself to act professional and at ease. I introduced my clients, who were impressed when Addison said she wanted to show them the venue personally. I could see the daughter, Ellen, getting excited as she walked around the room, taking in the décor and staring out at the view. Her mother was listening with rapture as Addison told the story of the winery and her family’s involvement. Addison smiled in my direction.
“Ashley told me you wanted something unique and beautiful. I know Anne can work with your wedding planner and Ashley to create exactly that.”