Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Makes sense. What’s Marsh got going on?”
“You were my first call.”
“Don’t bother calling him. I know he’s been working on the new campaign that’s going to launch next month. I’ll call Mom and take care of whatever it is.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’m just sitting here scrolling through mindless TV anyway.”
“Thanks, Con. I’ll see you tomorrow at Sunday dinner.”
“I’ll be there,” I assure him before ending the call and immediately dialing my mom’s number. “Hey, Mom,” I greet her when she answers.
“Conrad, are you home on a Saturday night? Two weeks in a row?” she asks.
I cringe. I forgot that I stayed in last week as well. I ran into my mom at the grocery store. If I’m honest, it’s been weeks since I’ve been out. When it was my brothers and me, it was a good time. Now they’re all married off or will be—except for Marshall and me—it’s just not the same. I know Marsh is feeling it too. He’s been working crazy hours on this new marketing campaign. At least he has an excuse. Me? I’m just over the going out every weekend scene. I, however, won’t be confessing that detail to my mother.
“It finally wore you down, huh?” Mom asks.
“What?” I shake out of my thoughts. I need to pay attention to the conversation.
“My baby boy is growing up.”
“I’m a man, Momma,” I remind her. “Anyway,” I quickly change the subject, “Royce called and said you needed help with something.”
“I do. Are you my volunteer?”
“Yep.” I take another swig of my beer.
“Thank you. I feel so much better.”
“What am I doing exactly?” I ask skeptically. She’s way too happy for me to just be doing her a favor.
“Well, I need you to drive up to the cabin early. Just to make sure everything gets done.”
“Okay, but I thought Aspen was driving up early?”
“Oh, she is. She’s leaving tomorrow.”
“All right, so what, you want me to go up Tuesday?” I ask, knowing that all of us are supposed to drive up on Wednesday. Taking off a day early won’t be an issue.
“Well, I was hoping you could drive up tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Why?”
“Well, I worry about Aspen staying up in that cabin all alone. And what if she needs help? No one will be there to support her.”
“Mom, Aspen is an adult. I’m sure she can figure it out.”
“Conrad Riggins.” My name rolls off her tongue in her “mom” voice, and I know I’m going to be leaving for the mountains tomorrow.
“I guess I need to get off here and start packing.”
“Thank you, son.” The relief in her voice is palpable, which tells me she really was worried about Aspen staying at the cabin all alone. To be honest, her staying there alone is probably not the best idea, and spending time with the youngest Steele sister won’t be the worst thing. She’s sexy as hell, and she’s fun to be around.
“Both of those girls are family,” Mom adds.
“Is there anything specific that I need to do while I’m there?” I ask as I stand to toss my empty beer bottle in the trash and swap out the laundry.
“No. Just be there to help her. She’s coordinating the schedule of the decorators and caterers, and while I don’t think there will be much to do, I’d feel better knowing she’s not staying in that big old cabin by herself all week.”
“Sure, thing. I’ll call Royce and let him know.”
“Thank you, Conrad. Stop by the house, and I’ll pack you up some snacks for the road. In fact, just come here for breakfast. I’m sure you’ll want to get an early start.”
“So no Sunday dinner?” I sound like a whiney child, even to my own ears. I love Sunday dinners with the family and getting time with my nephew, Carter. I also enjoy getting my brothers riled up with pretending to hit on their wives. Good times I tell you.
“I’ll be sure to make it worth your while,” she assures me.
“All right, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Love you, Con.”
“Love you too, Mom.” I end the call and call my brother back. “Royce,” I say when he answers.
“What did she rope you into?”
“Well, she wants me to leave for the cabin early. She’s worried about Aspen being up there all alone.”
“Hmm, not a bad plan, really. I’m sure that will make Aurora feel better to know you’re going to be there too.”
“She wants me to leave tomorrow since that’s when Aspen is leaving.”
“Anything I need to handle for you this week at the office?”
“Nah, I had an easy week. I’ll take my laptop and can work remotely if needed. I’ll be able to keep up on emails and anything else that arises from the cabin.” Now that I think about it, this is going to be nice. A few days away from the office sounds like just what the doctor ordered.