Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
“I could never resent you, mama. Not now, not ever,” I reply, hoping to reassure her.
“I was so young when I had you. I was so alone too. We grew up together, ya know?”
“I know. You’ll really get to enjoy it this time.”
“I enjoyed you, Sabrina.”
“I know but it was different and that’s okay. You were fourteen. Dad was fifteen. You didn’t get to enjoy having a baby. Everything was a struggle until I was about ten and you know it. Grandma resented me and Grandpa was ashamed. Everything got better when we left Utah and moved to Vegas. It’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up about it, please. I had a great childhood, and I know how to make a gourmet meal from nothing. What other kid can say that?”
“Probably a lot, but I am glad I didn’t ruin you.”
“You didn’t. I can also count out poker chips like a pit boss, so there’s that.
“You definitely can,” she says, finally laughing.
“Besides, you’re thirty-two not seventy-two. Why shouldn’t you have more babies?”
“You know what? You’re right. I’m going to enjoy this. You’ll probably get pregnant too, and it’ll be like that old movie Father of the Bride, part two. Remember how we used to watch that all the time?”
“I remember,” I say thinking about the Steve Martin, Diane Keaton movie we used to watch every weekend. We watched both of them. I always used to dream what my wedding would be like and if my dad would show up, but that was just a pipe dream. He started his “real” family about a year ago when he got married. I haven’t actually seen him since he got married. Better things to do, I guess.
“So where do you want to go first?” Mama asks as she whips into a space in the mall parking lot.
“The cookie place,” we say at the same time and dissolve into a fit of laughter. That’s always been our first stop whenever we go to the mall. We spent the day shopping and had lunch at a fabulous restaurant.
For the first time, I bought sexy underwear and I plan to model them for my man tonight. For the time being, we are going to stay at the mansion because his apartment is too small, but he has grand plans to buy a house down the street from our parents.
Damn, I didn’t realize it was already five-thirty until Conrad called and said he would be home soon. My mom called James and they decided on dinner. When we get home, they are grilling steaks and shrimp for dinner. I set down the bags in the living room. James is in the kitchen preparing a side dish, so I slip out the back door and find Conrad manning the grill in an impressive outdoor kitchen area.
“Hey Conrad,” I say wrapping my arms around his waist from behind.
“Hey sugar. Did you have fun today?”
“I did. I spent way too much money and ate too many cookies, but it was a good day. I missed you,” I say, well whimper.
“Did you?”
“Yes. I was worried about you,” I tell him.
“We didn’t even have a call today. I spent most of the day washing trucks and filling tanks.”
“Still. I think it’s my job to worry about you now,” I say into his back. He hangs the tongs he’s holding on the rack by the grill and turns to face me. Without additional words, he kisses me hard, his hands squeezing my ass.
“You’re too good for me, sugar. Wait until I get you alone,” he whispers into my ear, sending shivers down my body.
Is it bedtime yet?
Chapter Seven
Conrad
One Month Later
The house we bought has needed a lot of work done on the inside. The outside was perfect and caused a lull. Once the damn paperwork was signed, we found mold everywhere and that had to go before we could do anything. Since we paid cash, instead of getting a mortgage, an inspection wasn’t required. I wish we had thought to get one done. After we started repairs, more and more needed fixing. Between the mold, the subfloors needing to be redone, the roof, and every fucking thing you can think of going wrong, we decided to demolish the house and start over. The land is what we wanted anyway. It used to be a farm on my family’s land but over the years various Felton’s sold some of the land. I got a little piece back. On my days off, I have been helping with some of the work, like building the mantle for the custom fireplace.
The new house is going up at a snail's pace though. I hired the contractor from Billings, but he operates on small-town time, so we’ve been staying in the house I grew up in, with my dad and his pregnant new wife, who happens to be my girl’s mom. It’s weird, but that’s not going to stop me. I am proposing tonight and I won’t be taking no for an answer. We are practically engaged anyway; this is just making it official.