Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
I looked at Rex’s utterly terrified face. “Are you alright?” he asked anxiously, as he gathered Kayden into his arms.
I wiped the tears of joy running down my face. “I may have some bruises or a cracked rib or two, but I’ve never been better in my life. I know now, I can be a good mother to Kayden.”
“What?” he asked, totally bemused by my reply.
“I know now I can put Kayden’s safety before mine. Finally, I have proof that I can be a real mother to him,” I said happily, even though my back had started to throb with pain.
54
WILLOW
Six Weeks later
I had moved into Rex’s condo and let Tiffany have my old apartment. She sniffed when she first came in. I assumed it was some sort of reference to dog smells, but I was pleased to find that her opinion of me or my dog mattered little. I had spent so many years of my life being angry with her.
There was no more anger or frustration in my heart.
When I looked at her now, I felt only pity. I knew she would not make it in New York. She was lazy, narcissistic, undisciplined, talentless, and expected everyone around her to pick up her slack. And you got nowhere with that attitude in a city that never sleeps.
It was dog-eat-dog in the Big Apple.
But she didn’t understand that. She had come to New York with the mistaken idea that wealthy men waiting to become her husband were as common as street lamps.
She even asked me if I would introduce her to one of Rex’s rich pals. My reply was short and sharp. I promised her mother I’d help set her up in the city, I never promised to let her ruin Rex’s friends’ lives.
And ruin them she would too.
So… unless she used her only real asset, her beauty, and found another chump like Steven, who she could manipulate into taking care of her financially, she was undoubtedly going back to Bison Ridge with her tail between her legs.
Looking in the mirror, I touched my ribs and felt no pain. Good. Perhaps now Rex could stop tiptoeing around me and behaving as if I was a piece of china that could break at the slightest touch.
I looked over my jeans and top and decided they were perfect for a casual drop in at his office. I applied a bit of mascara and lipstick then grabbed my purse and headed to the basement parking lot. My heart pounded wildly as I drove towards the office.
I second guessed myself on whether going unannounced was a good idea, but it was always good every time I ambushed him. After inspecting my reflection in the rearview mirror, I got out of the car and strolled in after exchanging pleasantries with the guards. I took the elevator up to the top floor of the building. I stepped out of the elevator, and immediately encountered a security desk I hadn’t noticed before.
Hmmm… a lot of changes since I left four weeks ago.
Luckily, I still had my old work badge with me and when I showed it to the uniformed guard, he let me through. The sound of my heels was swallowed by the carpet that lined the hallway. I emerged in a big waiting area manned by a secretary behind a large desk.
She looked up and frowned as if she couldn’t place me.
“Hi,” I said, moving to stand in front of her desk. “My name is Willow, I’m here to see Rex Hunter.” I cleared my throat even though there was nothing obstructing it.
She smiled in that professional, detached way that secretaries did. “Is he expecting you?”
“Yes,” I said with as much confidence as I could muster.
She frowned. “He’s in a meeting right now. I’ll let him know you’re here when he’s done. He shouldn’t be long.”
“Fine, I’ll just wait until his meeting is over.”
“Okay. Make yourself comfortable. Coffee? Soda? Water?” she asked.
If I drank anything I would throw it all up “No thanks.” I made my way to a seating area at the corner and chose the furthest seat.
I picked up a magazine from the glass topped table. I had no interest in it but if I sat doing nothing, I’d look like an idiot. Not that his secretary would have noticed. She hadn’t looked up from her computer screen from the moment she dismissed me as some floozy chasing her boss.
Half an hour later Rex’s meeting had not ended. Grrrrrr…coming to his office had been a mistake. Fifteen minutes later, the door to the inner office opened and two men wearing serious expressions and talking animatedly stepped out with Rex following behind.
He stopped and stared at me. He looked…what was the right word? Intimidating. Maybe it was the suit or the fact that he was in his office. Whatever it was, he wasn’t the Rex I see at home.