Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Bonnie’s eyes filled with tears, and she looked away in thought. Mulling the ghosts of days gone past, perhaps. They sat there, soft, soothing music playing, soaking their feet in comforting, bubbling water. Being pampered. It wasn’t long before two pedicurists approached them. The ladies sat down on tufted pink seats and gingerly removed their feet from the water. On a tray that sat between them were rolled towels, nail files, oils and shiny clippers. One of the pedicurists asked what color polish they’d like.
“Hmm…Let me ask my lovely daughter. Genesis, what color do you think I should paint my toes today, honey? You seem like a fashionista.”
My lovely daughter? How sweet.
“Well, what’s your favorite color?”
“I like too many colors to pick just one.” Bonnie shrugged.
Genesis scanned the woman and hooked her gaze to a pair of bright blue eyes. “Light blue. Like bluebird eggs.”
“What?! You really think so? I’ve never had blue nails before!” She tittered.
“Try somethin’ new. It won’t hurt.”
“Well, okay then!” Bonnie chuckled. “Light blue it is. That’ll be fun!” The lady working on her feet got up. Bonnie leaned over and gripped Genesis’ hand.
“Isn’t it funny how a man can have it all, and still have nothin’?” The woman’s naturally cheery, easy-going demeanor and tone melted away like black candle wax. Now her eyes seemed darker. Deeper. Heavy with something not understood.
“What do you mean?”
“My son is a multi-millionaire. A successful businessman. He’s gorgeous down to his bones. He’s smart as a whip. Got the world on a platter, and yet, he wasn’t happy. Until you came into his life. I tried to make him happy and failed. He tried to make himself happy, but money can’t buy love,” the woman stated matter-of-factly. “It sure helps a lot,” she chuckled sadly, “but when the thrill is gone, the problems are still there. There’s just one teeny issue with my boy. Roman is crazy, Genesis.” Bonnie wasn’t smiling. Laughing. Smirking. She meant that shit.
Genesis was stunned by the strange journey the woman’s words took her on. One minute she was praising her son, the next she was describing a sad clown of sorts, and the next, she was saying her child was mentally unstable. But was she wrong? Probably not.
“I’m crazy, too, Ms. Bonnie. He and I can be crazy together. Within reason.” They both laughed at that.
“That’s funny. He doesn’t hurt the folks he cares about, but, if you’re an enemy, or intentionally hurt someone he loves, well, let’s just say things could get hairy. I should know. I wasn’t always saved by the blood of the Lord. Again, he got it honest…” A chill ran down Genesis’ spine. “I never believed he’d settle down, and I’m grateful… because he needs that, Genesis. He needs stability. Someone that will help ground him, because that’s what he’s always wanted deep down anyway. Reliability. A family. A wife, the big house and a picket fence. Most of all? Someone he can trust.”
The pedicurist returned with a bottle of glossy light blue polish, and got to work.
Ms. Bonnie, like the nail lacquer, was true blue…
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The Bible and the Floorboard
Did you know that fortune cookies were invented in Los Angeles, California? Have an amazing day! Genesis Caldwell.
Grandpa Wilde read the strange writeup on his phone and shook his head. He had no intention of sending the young woman an email, telephone call, or one of his friendly visitors—he simply wanted to delve deeper into her background.
He sat in his garden after a long morning meeting with some of his investors. Business discussions. He glanced back down at his phone and smirked. What a strange woman. Word had gotten back to him that Roman had recently got engaged to a very attractive lady who worked a rather ho-hum, low paying job. A dental hygienist for a highly rated dental office. She wasn’t destitute, per se, but there was nothing remarkable about her, with the exception that she was definitely a head turner. Nevertheless, the woman appeared, at least on paper, to be quite intelligent, was easy on the eye, and came from a decent family. Parents still married. Big brother who was a Marine and owned a coffee shop. Nothing strange or out of the ordinary.
He had his suspicions about how the two had met, though some of that information couldn’t be confirmed. Apparently that brother of hers was Roman’s friend going back quite a long time. Odd of him to mix business with pleasure. She’ll make robust babies, he thought to himself as he sized up her body. I see a lot of awards in high school for spellin’ bees, debate team and such. Stint in gymnastics, too. Strong. No children or marriages. Looks like she dated some celebrity at one point, too. Everyone has something going on… She couldn’t possibly be this squeaky clean.