Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“Artwork,” Parker repeated, lifting her eyes from her phone, a brilliant smile illuminating her face. “Savannah, by the time we leave here this afternoon, you will be moved in down to the last throw pillow. No boxes to unpack, no clothes to hang, no dishes to wash. We’re not leaving until you’re at home.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
SAVANNAH
I stared at her, dumbfounded. I appreciated the offer of help to move the furniture in. I certainly couldn’t have done that on my own. I assumed I’d grab Billy Bob and between the three of us, we’d make it work. But this—this was huge. In the back of my mind, I’d imagined unpacking slowly, my usual day too busy to leave much time for dealing with a home that wasn’t the Manor. But if Parker’s plan worked, and I was sure it would, I’d get to skip all that. I’d get to enjoy the cottage that much sooner. It was incredible.
“I don’t know what to say,” I started, my voice threatening to crack with emotion. “I-I know you all have other things to do.”
Scarlett gave a hard shake of her head. “Nothing more important than this, Savannah. You spend all day, every day, running the Manor. We”—she swept her hand in a circle to encompass herself, Hope, Parker, and Sterling—“we never have to do anything. We show up to wonderful meals, our laundry is done, the house is clean. It’s decorated for the holidays. You think of what we need before we know we need it. You take care of us. Now it’s our turn.”
Hope cut in. “We know how much you do every day. We talked about it, and we don’t want you to come back here at night and have boxes to unpack and pictures to hang. We want you to be at home. So that’s what we’re going to do. We’re not leaving until you’re at home.”
“You guys—” That was all I got out before my throat choked up. I tried again, but I didn’t get a word out before I was enveloped in a hug. Hope’s strong arms came around me, her baby kicking against my midsection as she hugged me tight.
“Savannah,” she said, “Don’t argue. Just say thank you, and let us take care of you for once.”
“Thank you,” I managed to squeeze out, hugging Hope back. Sterling and Scarlett joined us, wrapping their arms around both of us. Parker caught my eye over their heads.
Smiling, she said, “We’ve got it all under control. Don’t worry.”
I swiped away the tears that had gathered under my eyes and sucked in a breath. “I love you guys. So much.” My heart hurt with it. It was one thing to like my job, but this was more. This felt like family.
“We love you too, Savannah,” Sterling said, giving me an extra squeeze before she let go.
Hope finished loading the dishwasher and started it with the small pack of detergent Parker had brought over in a bag that also included trash bags and a set of silverware. A thought occurred to me as I watched her hit start. “Does Griffen know you’re over here? I’m pretty sure he said you weren’t helping.”
“He says a lot of things,” Hope replied with a smirk. “I’m not going to lift anything. I’m not going to run up and down the stairs.” She rolled her eyes. “Trust me, I have no interest in causing any damage to myself.” She patted her distended abdomen. “This guy here is doing enough of that on his own. Scarlett brought along some decaf. I’ll make coffee and put my feet up as soon as there’s somewhere to sit. I promise.”
I slung an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “Not too much longer, and all of us will be too busy hovering over the new Sawyer baby to drive you nuts.”
“That’ll be nice,” Hope agreed.
Scarlett dumped the second pot of hot water and set up the first pot of actual coffee. I’d had a quick cup in the kitchen while getting Nicky ready for school, but that felt like a million years ago. I needed at least one more cup.
“Check this out,” Scarlett said, looking at Hope. “It has a single-serve coffee maker on the side with its own travel mug. I can make your decaf while I make regular for the rest of us.” She turned to me. “When did you get this? It’s very cool. So convenient when you’re dashing out the door to the big house.”
“Finn got it for me,” I said without thinking. Four sets of eyes narrowed in interest, all fixed on me.
“Finn got it for you?” Hope asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Um, yeah, he brought it over yesterday.” I didn’t mention the fact we’d had the best sex of my life on the counter directly under the pastry box. “I guess he noticed how much I like my coffee in the morning.”