Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“This tub might be bigger than yours,” Harper says as she climbs inside the copper tub and sits. “Definitely is. I could swim in here.”
Connor chuckles at her, and I can only stare at her because she takes my breath away.
“You have it so bad,” Billie whispers to me.
“Guilty,” I reply, not bothering to whisper in return. “We can be ready for dinner in thirty.”
“Perfect,” Connor says. “Take your time. Everyone will order off the menu, so everyone can come down as they please.”
“I’m so excited,” Harper says as she climbs out of the tub. “Thanks again. Also, can I call you out on something, Connor?”
My brother-in-law lifts an eyebrow. “Aye, you can.”
“I don’t believe for a second that you need us here to help you iron out any kinks. You’re a master at what you do.”
A slow smile spreads over his lips. “I’m proud of this property, and I wanted to share it with those I care about the most. Need? No. But I can. So I am. Welcome, Harper. Enjoy your stay.”
Billie claps her hands, kisses me on the cheek, and they’re gone.
“Did you know that they invited my family?” Harper asks as soon as the door is closed behind my sister and Connor.
“Yes.”
She wraps her arms around me and rests her head against my chest, holding on tight.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“There’s room, it’s nothing to Connor, and it makes you feel more at ease. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable, sugar. Always. Plus, this way, I get to know them a little better, too.”
“True.” She grins up at me. “I just have to freshen up, and then we can go to dinner.”
“Let’s do it.”
Chapter Twenty
HARPER
“It’s chilly up here at night,” I say as I snuggle down in the hoodie that Blake let me borrow.
He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s not getting this back. It smells like him, and it’s so soft and warm. It’s my new favorite thing.
We’re sitting on Adirondack chairs on a huge patio around a firepit fueled by gas, so there’s no smoke. But it lets off a good amount of heat, and it’s pretty out here in the dark.
The stars are out, and I’m reminded just how brilliant they are here. There’s no light noise to drown them out.
We’re sitting out here with a few other couples. Some of the guys went inside to play pool in the pub. Others took their kids up to bed. We’re truly spread out all over this resort, breaking it in.
“I think I just saw a shooting star,” Millie says. She’s sitting in her husband’s lap, her head back on his shoulder, looking up. “Ry, was it a shooting star?”
Ryan is her brother, and he’s sitting to her right. Even I’ve heard of Ryan Wild. It’s unbelievable that I’m just casually hanging out with a couple of billionaires over the next few days.
Whose life is this?
“I didn’t see it,” he replies. “And I’m not psychic, so I don’t know.”
“You’re the star guy.” Millie glances over at me. “He has a whole conservatory on the roof of his house. It’s amazing.”
“It sounds amazing.”
“We’ll have pool parties this summer,” Polly, Ryan’s wife, says with a happy sigh. “And when you come, we’ll show you.”
I lift an eyebrow. They’re already including me in pool parties.
It’s like Blake decided I’m his, and all of these people just followed suit as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. It’s overwhelming, but it feels good to be accepted by them. To be a part of this group of people.
Blake reaches over and brushes his hand over my hair.
“You okay, sugar?”
“I’m great. It’s nice out here.”
We’ve spent an hour out here by the fire, and I love that no one has been shy about asking me questions about myself. I talked about being a nurse, being from Silver Springs, and living with the Hendrix family. They’re curious about me, and Blake was right when he said that everyone is nice.
They remind me of my own family, and that makes me feel at home.
“Can you ride a horse?” Holden asks me.
“I was raised on a ranch.” Holden smiles at me, and it hits me in the solar plexus. I mean, every man here is incredible, including my brothers, but there’s something about Holden, with all of his tattoos and that cocky grin, that does something for me. He makes me nervous because he’s so attractive. “Of course, I can ride a horse. I can fix fences, I can bail hay, I can do a lot. But I’m not looking for a job.”
Holden laughs and shakes his head. “I was just curious. We have some rescue horses at the ranch that need the mileage, so if you want to ride, you’re welcome.”
All of a sudden, there’s a splash at the pool and some giggling, and we all strain our necks to see who’s swimming at this time of night.