Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
By the time Aunt Dorothy arrives home from a long day of chores on the farm, I have been waxed, plucked, tweezed, and polished. Audrey even took the time to do my makeup and my hair. She’s made me feel pampered in the best way.
“I have to go. Logan will get cranky if he doesn’t have his dessert,” she tells me and Aunt Dorothy.
I frown. “You said you left him dinner to heat in the fridge when you left this afternoon.”
She giggles, her cheeks going pink. “I said I left him dinner. I didn’t say anything about his dessert.”
Dorothy cackles and shoos her away. “You go on. I got her now.”
After making me promise to call her first thing tomorrow morning, Audrey leaves with little Paisley Jolene.
Dorothy steps back to admire Audrey’s work and manages to hold onto Daisy, who is squirming in her arms. I think she’s getting close to the crawling stage. She loves to push up on her hands and knees during tummy time. “You look absolutely beautiful. But I think the dress is missing one thing.”
I look down, frowning. I could have sworn Audrey thought of everything. She even had a slip in my size. I’m wearing it now, the material soft and silky against my thighs.
Aunt Dorothy gestures for me to follow and goes into the guest bedroom. She disappears into the walk-in closet and returns a few minutes later, nudging me to stand in the full-length mirror in the bathroom.
When we’re in there, she fastens a string of pearls around my neck without letting Daisy grab the delicate strand. “These are genuine,” she says when I run my fingertips along the beautiful necklace. “It’s an heirloom that’s been in our family for three generations.”
I don’t know what to say to that, especially when she slips a matching bracelet on my wrist. It’s timeless and classic. She follows it up with earrings to complete the set.
She applies a coat of red lipstick to my lips. By the time she’s done, I look like a fifties pin-up model. I’ve never felt as glamorous as I do right now.
“Thank you,” I whisper to her.
The doorbell rings, and butterflies take flight in my belly. He’s here. Griffin is here for our date.
“I don’t want you to worry about a thing. I’ll be watching Daisy the entire time,” Dorothy says. In the other room, I can hear Russell answering the door and greeting my date.
“I’ve never been apart from her for so long. Will you call me if she needs me?” I ask, taking one more glance at myself in the mirror. What if this isn’t his favorite color?
“She’ll be fine. I’m going to introduce her to the love of my life, Magnum PI.”
Now that I think about it, the show’s star and Russell do share a striking resemblance. “When was the last time you went on a date?”
“Dates are for young people,” she says. “Now, let’s go see about your man.”
Russell and Griffin are in the living room, and from the looks of it, they’re discussing something intense. But the moment he sees me, Griffin stops talking. His gaze rakes across my figure, cataloguing every detail. He licks his lips like he’s about to call off dinner and eat me instead. My cheeks heat at the thought.
“The dress is…”
“Perfect. Just like you.” He crosses the room in three strides to hold out a bouquet of roses in an ornate glass vase. “I don’t know your favorite yet, but I will soon.”
I bring the flowers to my nose, giving them an appreciative sniff as I study him. He’s wearing dark jeans, and his cowboy boots have been shined. His white button-up has been pressed, and his wavy hair is smoothed down. I have a nearly overwhelming urge to reach out and tousle it. I love those stubborn waves that do whatever they want. “Anything from you is my favorite.”
He beams at that.
“Let me put these down and get my bag,” I tell him as I excuse myself to the guest room to set the flowers down and grab my tiny handbag. It only has room for my cellphone and wallet, but that’s all I need tonight. It seems strange not to have a hulking diaper bag to lug with me.
He offers me his arm when I return, and after one more round of kisses with Daisy, I leave with him.
Outside, the evening air is humid from the earlier thunderstorms. It’s as if the world took a shower, and the bathroom is still steamy. But even the damp heat doesn’t dim the glow of happiness I’m carrying inside.
Griffin helps me into his truck, his fingers lingering on my hips for a beat too long. He likes touching me as much as I like him touching me.
As soon as we’re on the road, I roll down the windows. It’s humid outside, but there’s nothing like riding with the wind in my hair. It feels like freedom. I have that feeling a lot when I’m with him, like I can let go of everything and trust him to hold me together.