Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
She dials a number and presses her phone to her ear.
“Hello, is this Jillian King? Are you the realtor for the Drips & Sips listing? Excellent. I’d like to buy it.” She deflates. “You’re kidding. When?”
“It sold already?”
She nods. “Yes, put me down as a secondary buyer in case the other one falls through. My name is Nina Wolfe.”
“Nina Wakefield,” I remind her.
“Oh, sorry. I’m Nina Wakefield. I just got married, and I’m still getting used to the name change.”
She flashes me an apologetic smile.
I’ll remind her exactly who she belongs to when we get home.
“Yes, that Nina Wakefield. Oh, thank you so much. Okay, if it goes back on the market, please let me know. Have a good day.”
She hangs up with a deep sigh.
“Well, damn it.”
“Did she say who bought it?”
“No, she probably can’t do that. She just said it sold this morning. I’m just one day too late. But I’m officially the backup buyer if the sale falls through.”
“Maybe the new owner doesn’t have any plans to change anything.”
“I hope not.” She sips her coffee. “What should we do today?”
“I’m with you. What would you like to do?”
“Well, I’ve been here plenty, but never when the weather is good enough to hike in Glacier National Park. Let’s do that.”
I clear my throat. “You want to go hiking.”
“Sure. There’s no cell service up there. It’s a nice day. We can be up and back before dinner.”
“You want us to go hike through the woods on purpose.”
She laughs. “Yes. You’re a manly man. You ski and do all kinds of things.”
“I do,” I agree. “I’m just shocked that you want to.”
“I’m a mysterious woman.” She winks at me, shamelessly flirting. “What do you say?”
“Let’s go.”
Once we’re home and the security team has been briefed, Nina and I change into our hiking clothes. She had the rest of her things brought over from the other house last night. She’s wearing hiking shorts, a tank top, sunglasses, and a hat.
If I didn’t know it was her, I wouldn’t recognize her.
“I’ll be right behind you,” I assure her.
“I’ll go put some snacks and water bottles in my backpack.”
She hurries out of the bedroom, and I finish getting dressed, then follow the voices to the kitchen.
Nick, Liam, and Nina all stop talking and stare at me.
“What?”
“If I might say,” Liam says with a grin, “you can’t wear that.”
“Why ever not?” I stare down at my khaki pants, green polo shirt, and loafers. “This is as casual as I have with me.”
“I have things you can wear,” Liam replies. “I’ll be right back.”
“We’re fine here,” Nick says with a nod as Liam hurries to his apartment not even fifty yards away. “I’m sorry, sir, I should have known you didn’t have the proper gear with you.”
“No, I’m sorry,” Nina says. “I should have known. I didn’t think about it.”
“It’s fine. I’ll borrow Liam’s things today and make sure to have my closet filled with outdoor gear now that I know my wife is an outdoor enthusiast.”
“I mean, I could go once or twice a year. It’s not like we’re training to climb Everest or anything.”
“That’s a relief,” Nick says with a sigh. “Because a casual hike I can do, but Everest is a bit outside my comfort zone.”
We’re laughing when Liam returns with his clothes. “These are all brand new,” he says. “You can keep them if you like.”
“I’ll pay you for them,” I reply with a nod. “Thank you.”
“I checked your shoes on my way out, and I have shoes for you, too,” Liam says. “They’re not new, but they’ll work for today.”
“I appreciate it. I’ll buy some new trainers this week. I’ll just go change and be right back.”
***
The best I can tell, we’re about three-quarters of our way to the body of water called Avalanche Lake that Nina wanted to hike to. It’s just the four of us, and so far, we haven’t been recognized once.
Granted, it’s not typical for royalty to be in Montana, and I can’t imagine most people would expect to see us hiking a trail in Glacier National Park. So, no one is looking for us.
And on top of that, we’re all dressed similarly in hiking clothes, with backpacks and hats. Sunglasses.
It’s the best disguise I’ve seen, and it’s a fabulous success.
“We should be close,” Nina mutters, breathing hard. “And I need to get back into shape. This is ridiculous.”
“We’re at a higher elevation,” Nick reminds her. “It’s going to be more challenging until you get used to it.”
“You’re not breathing hard,” she says. “In fact, all three of you are breathing like we’re just taking a little jaunt in the pasture.”
“It’s not a competition,” I remind her and earn a glare in return. “I saw that through your sunnies, darling.”
She just smirks, and then we follow the trail through some bushes. Suddenly, before us, is possibly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.