Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“I didn’t ask whether there’s anything Zach doesn’t eat,” she says.
“I’ll eat anything, Mrs. Frost.” He glances over at me with a grin and I can’t help but reach for his thigh. He’s done nothing but encourage the rebuilding of my relationship with my parents. He was the one who invited them to Paris, and they’re coming in a couple of months.
My mother laughs. “Oh good. We’ll probably have toad in the hole.”
“My favorite,” Zach says, shooting me a smile that warms me to my core. “I’m so looking forward to meeting you both.”
Zach starts to indicate and slows as we approach his parents’ house.
“Can I call you later, Mum? We’re just arriving.”
“No problem,” she says. “Have a wonderful time.”
I hang up and Zach’s hand is on my thigh now. “You okay?” he asks.
I couldn’t be better. I can’t remember being happier than I am right in that moment, the sun on my face, Zach’s ring on my hand, and the future filled with promise. “I love you,” I reply.
The side of his mouth curls up. “I love you too.”
We pull into the driveway of Zach’s parents and the sun is shining so fiercely, it feels like the south of France, not East Anglia. Dog is the first to meet us. This time he comes racing towards me, completely ignoring Zach.
“You’re definitely part of the family now,” Zach says.
I bend down and scratch Dog behind the ears. He twists his head so my fingers go deeper and I laugh. He knows how to get what he wants from women—typical Cove man, from what I’ve witnessed.
Before we’ve even got our bags out of the boot, Madison and Nathan pull up. They’ve been to see us in Paris and I’ve grown really close to Madison. It’s fun hearing about her cravings.
“Oh my gosh, you’re really showing now!” I say as she slips out of the car.
“My cankles are matched only by my huge belly.”
I pull her in for a hug and her bump presses against my tummy. “Can I touch?” I ask as I release her.
She nods, rounding her stomach with her palm as if clearing the way for me. “I’m massive for five months,” Madison says, pulling her black jacket across her as if it might close—which it won’t, as there’s at least a ten-centimeter gap between the sides. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was twins.”
“It’s not twins,” Nathan barks. “Definitely not twins.”
I start to laugh. He looks horrified at the thought, even though he knows it’s not true.
The sounds of a helicopter come into focus and I grab the tin of brownies I brought with me from Paris, as well as one of our weekend bags. Zach goes to help Nathan with their own things.
The flickering sound of the blades gets louder and we all look up as the black helicopter appears in the sky.
“It looks like it’s headed right to us,” I say. But no one can hear me, it’s too loud.
We all stand and stare at the bright blue sky as the helicopter lands in the fields just across from Zach’s parents’ house. I glance over at Nathan and Zach, who exchange a speaking glance.
The door to the helicopter opens and a tall, dark-haired man in a suit gets out. He looks familiar.
Zach nods toward the house and we all go inside.
“Did you know he was coming?” Zach asks Nathan.
Nathan shakes his head. “No idea. He was here at Christmas. And now Easter too? It’s not because he loves Mum’s apple pie.”
“Who doesn’t love my apple pie?” Carole sticks her head around the kitchen door and sees us all dumping bags and taking our shoes off.
“Did you know Vincent’s here again?”
“He called yesterday. Wanted to know if he could spend Easter here.”
“Is he running from the mob or something?” Nathan asks. I’ve learned Nathan is definitely the most suspicious of the Cove brothers. When I asked Zach about it, he said one day he’d fill me in. There’s obviously a story there.
“Running from the mob?” Carole says, turning and heading into the kitchen, the four of us following like we’re toddlers playing trains. “He likes my apple pie. And he’s spending a lot more time in the UK at the moment. Business something-or-other.”
“Is he allowed to land in that field?” Nathan asks.
“No,” Beau says as he appears in the doorway. “I looked it up after he nearly blew the roof off at Christmas.”
“Blew the roof off?” Carole says. “You’re exaggerating. The noise doesn’t last long and it’s a lot quicker than driving up from London.”
“Don’t encourage him,” John says as he follows Beau in.
“He could get fined if he was reported.”
John laughs. “Like he cares. He’s got more money than—and be careful,” he interrupts himself, prodding his finger at Zach and Nathan. “He likes the women, that one. Keep hold of Madison and Ellie. They’re good girls and I like having them around.”