Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
“Not at all. The new owners have been well vetted.”
Before she could ask any more questions, the SUV turned onto a tree-lined drive. The beauty grabbed her, and she sat back to see where they were headed.
“Look, we’re here,” Beau said as the SUV stopped at an elaborate gate to unlock it electronically.
As the gate opened, she had her first glimpse of the regal mansion. “Really, Beau. This house is too much.”
“Thank goodness you’ll stay with me to keep me from roaming from one room to another in search of human interaction.”
Albert parked and opened the door to allow them to descend. “In which room would you like Ms. Maisie’s luggage placed?”
“The rose guest room, Tom. Thank you. We’ll be ready to head to the reunion in ten minutes.” Beau guided Maisie into the large entrance and through the vast foyer and living room.
“All this space.” Maisie tried to keep herself from letting the astonishment she felt echo in her voice. “I need to pack a lunch to make it to your safe.”
“We’re almost there. My office is through the next door.”
Arriving in the mahogany-lined space, Maisie watched carefully as Beau triggered a switch to open a bookshelf. A large, concealed safe filled the area. He pushed a few buttons on the front and waved her forward.
“Put your thumb on this pad, Maisie. It will save you as a user and you can open the safe at will.”
“You aren’t afraid I’ll disappear with all your riches?” she asked as she followed his directions.
“All I have has always been yours, Maisie.”
“Money doesn’t buy everything, Beau,” she answered tartly, before opening the heavy door and stowing her computer case inside.
“What’s on your computer?”
“The results of years of research. I have it backed up everywhere, but I can’t lose this.”
“Then it stays safe here. Ready to go to the reunion?”
“I can’t wait to see everyone,” she declared.
“Me, too. They should be there now.”
CHAPTER 5
Maisie scanned the room as they walked into Murphy’s. The casual bar looked just as it always had. Her gaze landed on a group of three standing close to the door. She waved and grabbed Beau’s hand before walking over to meet them.
“Maisie! Beau! You both look so good. Love the silver fox look, Beau. And Maisie, you could have stepped right off the cover of Vogue,” Amber shared before pulling the slight figure in for a hug.
“Thank goodness I have a wardrobe person who picks out clothes for me. Otherwise, I’d wear a lab coat with jeans,” Maisie said with a laugh.
“Now you, Harper, look like a million bucks. How can you have kids drooling over you all day long and still have that sweet look on your face?” Maisie asked as she hugged Harper.
“Oh, you’re just being nice. I’m so glad to see you both.” Harper waved off the compliments before hugging Beau as well. She stepped back and whispered, “Sorry. Is it bad to touch you?”
“Touch me?” Beau asked and Maisie almost laughed at the confusion on his face.
“She’s worried about the media that buzzes around you like a hornet’s nest,” Maisie guessed.
“You can hug me anytime, Harper. Come here, you,” Beau said to Amber and pulled her close.
“Well, well, well. The gang’s all here. Except for the famous country star. He’s too busy to come, I guess. Like Harper’s imaginary boyfriend.” Miranda’s sour tone interrupted their happy reunion.
“Good grief, are you still so constipated that you treat people like shit?” Maisie asked, deliberately pitching her voice to attract attention.
Harper spoke quickly to fill the silence that followed as those nearby turned to look. “It’s okay, Maisie. I don’t know why Miranda is so worried about my love life.”
Maisie couldn’t prevent herself from smirking as Miranda’s expression hardened. You go, Harper. She was proud of her friend for standing up for herself from the bully that had attacked so many throughout high school.
When everyone turned to look at the door, Maisie watched Harper’s sweet face. It lit up with happiness. Maisie knew who it was before she even turned around. Colt Ziegler had arrived. He made a direct line to Harper as if no one else mattered.
“Hi, Angel.”
Maisie’s heart lurched as he hugged and kissed her despite the audience. She heard him whisper, “I’m sorry I am late.”
Please let it be their time.
Her mouth dropped open at the heat radiating from the couple. Automatically, she looked over at Amber and Beau to see if they knew something she didn’t.
“The tour bus driver got slowed down by the traffic on the highway. I was about ready to jump out and run when it finally cleared,” Colt explained, keeping Harper close to him.
“You expect us to buy that Colt Ziegler is really your boyfriend?” Miranda interjected with a brittle laugh of disbelief.
“Sorry? Are you one of our class?” Colt asked as he scanned her name tag. Maisie wished she’d had a video recording of the exchange with Miranda. He’d taken some acting classes in Nashville. She even believed he had no clue who the unpleasant woman was.