Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“She is beautiful,” was all she said, handing my phone back.
“Inside and out.” I paused. “The moment I touched her, something flared between us. I couldn’t deny it. I didn’t want to. Then she almost fainted, and I took her to breakfast. That was all I meant to do, but…” I shrugged. “I couldn’t stay away.”
“Does she know who you are?”
“She knows I’m a philanthropist. That I’m single and I have a sister and a niece.”
James cleared his throat.
“And a brother-in-law I get on well with,” I added with a grin.
James inclined his head in thanks.
“Does she know who you are?” she asked again.
“No. I didn’t share that information with her. It wasn’t relevant at the time.”
“You mean before you—”
I held up my hand. “Do not finish that sentence. I’ll say something and we’ll start fighting, and James will punch me in the mouth and I’ll have to punch him back and this scotch will be everywhere but where it should be.”
James grunted. “We could set the scotch in a safe place first.”
“But it would take away the spontaneity,” I pointed out.
“True.”
“Can we get back to the subject at hand?” Suzy said crossly.
I sighed. “I don’t know what you want from me. I met someone. Someone wonderful. We had this instant connection. She has a son from a previous relationship. His father has nothing to do with him—in fact, he has never seen him or even cared that he exists. She’s a single mother—a wonderful one, I’ll say again—and I’m interested in spending more time with her. Seeing where this goes. She likes me too. Just me. Asher. She has no idea of my past, how wealthy I am, or who my family is. That’s all I can tell you.” I drained my scotch. “The rest, frankly, is private.” I set down my glass. “Except you should know, I wanted her to come with me. She felt it was too soon and said no. I wish she had come. You would love her.”
“And if I don’t?” Suzy challenged.
“I think you will. She’s smart, strong, and witty. She cares for those around her. Very much like you. And if you don’t, then I will see her without your approval. I’ll see you and Bonnie other times.”
“And me,” James interjected. “I keep getting left out.”
I laughed at his humor. “I add you silently, James. Always.”
He tipped his glass. “Thank you very much.”
Suzy gazed at me. “You have totally fallen for this girl.”
I shifted in my seat. “I care about her a great deal, considering how short a time I have known her. I care about her son too. I think she is amazing.”
“And you’re sure she isn’t, ah—”
I was already shaking my head. “She had no clue who I was. She was looking for her son. Not me.”
“But she found you.”
I sat back with a grin. “Well, I found her, actually. I went to her. I’m not even sure she had noticed me. She was too busy looking for AJ.”
“Fate,” she breathed out.
“Fate, kismet, or coincidence. I don’t care. I met her.”
“When can I meet her?”
“Soon.”
“How soon?” she pressed.
“When I decide you won’t frighten her away.”
“Me?”
I laughed. “You, my sister. I am aware of your interrogation tactics.”
“As we all are,” James said dryly, pouring us each another finger of scotch. “Legendary.”
Suzy laughed at him, and I joined in, then became serious. “Give me a little time. I’m not ready to share.”
Suzy shook her head. “I can’t believe it,” she muttered. “You and a single mother.”
I grinned.
Me and Rosie.
I liked the sound of it.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ROSIE
“Momma, that was so much fun!” AJ exclaimed. “Can we do it again tomorrow?”
I rubbed my shoulder. Sledding with AJ was fun, but we’d gone over a large bump and I’d fallen off the sled, hitting my shoulder hard on a patch of frozen snow.
“Sure, baby. If my arm hurts, I can watch.”
He looked sorrowful. “Do you need an aspirin?”
I ruffled his hair. “I took a couple of Tylenol. I’ll feel fine soon.”
I opened the fridge, peering inside. It was still full of food. I had made soup with the turkey bones and frozen it, but Asher had bought so many other items, we were spoiled for choice.
“Want grilled cheese and tomato soup?” I asked, already knowing the answer. That was his favorite.
“Yeah!” he said, throwing up his arms.
I laughed and made our simple dinner. We ate it on the sofa, watching a movie. I relaxed my usual rules over the holidays and let him watch what he wanted. He still enjoyed playing and coloring, so it wasn’t as if he was glued to the screen all day.
After we ate, he curled into me and fell asleep. I rubbed my shoulder at the dull ache. Maybe I was too old for sledding anymore.
When Asher had been here, the two of them had done most of the sledding, while I cheered on with a cup of coffee in my hand. I much preferred that.