Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Ethan keeps talking. “She’s up in her bedroom now and I don’t know what to do with her. We’ve gone back and forth between giving her space and forcing her to spend time with us. I’ve given her freedoms as well as rules. I just don’t know what the right answer is anymore.”
“I’m very glad to help out in any way you think I can,” I start to offer before Ethan pounces on my willingness.
“Can you come over right now? She needs someone to talk to who she doesn’t see as an enemy.”
My gaze cuts to the computer and the report I need to finish. “I could probably be there in an hour.”
“Perfect. You can join my family for dinner and tell us what to do.”
“Mr. Blackburn—”
“Ethan,” he says.
“Ethan… I can’t promise you any solutions. But I’ll be glad to talk to her as well as offer some advice.”
“That’s way more than we have right now. Dinner is at six. Come hungry.”
And with that, he hangs up.
I don’t even think to be miffed by the abrupt way he ended the call. I can tell he is a man at the end of his rope and was probably more afraid I’d find some way to decline the invitation. I’m actually amused, which immediately makes me feel guilty. Ethan is clearly tortured and in need of help, but it’s fascinating to see a man who I consider to be in absolute control of everything so out of his element. My heart bleeds for him, but it bleeds more for Sylvie. My willingness to help has everything to do with her and not the shockingly handsome yet brooding horse farm owner.
♦
When I pull up to the Blackburn mansion, the redbrick is aglow with the waning rays of the day. I’m not nervous to be stepping into this situation because I was born for things like this. Any apprehensions I have are in dealing with Ethan Blackburn. He is a powerful man who has no experience with children and it’s obvious he’s operating on frustration. I’ve had my fair share of dealing with difficult people and so far, Ethan seems to have it together as much as could be expected for the issues he’s faced with.
Still… there’s something about him that makes me uneasy. Not in a negative or scary way, but maybe because he intrigues me just a little too much.
I banish those thoughts and exit my car, locking it behind me. As I approach the top porch step the door swings open and it isn’t Ethan who greets me but a woman who must be his mother. She doesn’t have the same raven hair, but those green eyes are definitely his.
“Ms. DeLeon,” the woman says with a beautiful Irish lilt, offering her hand. “I’m Fi Blackburn. Sylvie’s grandmother.”
“Please, call me Marcie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She welcomes me into the grand foyer and I take a moment to look around with appreciation at the beautiful woodwork, marble flooring and antique furniture. I love old homes and the history within them. I know the Blackburns have been in Shelby County since its formation. “We’re all back in the kitchen, nearly ready to sit down for dinner. We don’t be using the formal dining room too much.”
I follow as we pass the sweeping staircase into the rear of the house where I enter a large kitchen filled with people. I didn’t know what to expect when I was invited to dinner but it’s surprising that Ethan’s whole family is here. I know his siblings—Kat, Trey and Wade—just from the years Carmen has been riding at their barn. Kat is one of Carmen’s instructors.
Introductions are made and Kat gives me a hug, murmuring, “I’m so glad you’re here. We need major help.”
I smile at her. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”
I notice that Ethan and Sylvie are both missing. The kitchen smells delicious—roasted chicken and potatoes. The table is already set with piping hot food and Tommy Blackburn hands me a glass of ice water after asking what I’d like to drink.
“Where are Ethan and Sylvie?”
“He’s upstairs trying to talk her into coming down to join us,” Trey says. “He’s been up there for about fifteen minutes.”
I don’t hesitate in my action. “Do you mind if I go up?”
Fi shakes her head with a smile that brims with gratitude. “Top of the stairs and to the right, first door on the left.”
I set my purse down on the kitchen island next to my glass of water and head up the stairs.
I hear the argument when I reach the landing.
“I’m not hungry. How many times do I have to tell you? Can’t you get it through your thick skull?”
“I would really appreciate it if you would try to speak respectfully. I know you have that much in you, Sylvie.”