Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Hale’s body, top to toe, grew solid.
“So I’d get on that, handsome. Tout de suite,” she advised.
“Let me get this straight,” he said, sounding as incredulous as he was feeling. “You’re phoning to warn me before a story breaks?”
“I have an advanced copy of Mika Stowe’s book that’s releasing in September,” she stated. “Have you read it?”
“Not yet.”
“You will. Trust me. Don’t miss it. Though, I doubt I have to remind you that Rollo Merriman’s head was severed from his body in that accident.”
He flinched. “Jesus, woman. No. You don’t have to remind me.”
“She waited a long time for happiness, Hale. You’re the rabidly loyal and protective family man. See to it nothing fucks that up, yes?”
With that, she hung up.
Slowly, Hale took the phone away from his ear and stared at it.
As he did, a text came through.
From Elsa.
Oh, and when you’re done taking care of SS, set Nora Ellington on Paloma. Don’t ask. Just trust me.
He texted back, The CP situation is off the table during our one on one.
He was bare chested when he received, So he remembers our deal.
Is it likely you’ll let me forget?
He was in his pajama bottoms, brushing his teeth when she returned, Never. Shall we set a date now?
It’s late in Japan. I’ll get back to you.
And for some reason, it just made him laugh when he received, Yes, I VERY MUCH do not like you, Hale Wheeler.
He left it at that and turned off his phone because that would drive her nuts.
Then his mind wandered to being sprawled in one of the velvet chairs on her set while she was on her knees between his legs, and he allowed it to remain on this visual as he took care of himself.
He came particularly hard.
But after he cleaned up, he unusually had no trouble falling asleep.
Within twenty-four hours, Hale had seen to it the line between Susan Shepherd and Tom Pierce had been forever erased.
He then called Nora Ellington.
* * *
Tom
August…
Cave Creek
Tom grabbed the mail and saw something redirected from his old address in Scottsdale.
He’d sold that house.
His commute to his clinic was longer, but at least Mika and Cadence had cats at home.
He recognized the handwriting and opened it immediately.
Tom,
I wanted you to know, I’ve moved back home. It’s safer. Cal and Colt said they’ll look after me. And it feels good to be home.
I didn’t think it would. But it’s closer to those who deserve amends. It’s not as hard as I thought it would be. It’s not like they’re inviting me to dinner, but Cal will sit with me if I’m having a drink at J&J’s. Feb is civil. And Cher and Merry are becoming friends.
I’ve been keeping an eye, and I’m happy you’re happy, Tom. You deserve it.
I know what you’re thinking.
I deserve it too.
I’ve got good news.
I no longer think you’re wrong.
Be happy and take care,
Susie
He let that settle, and it settled nicely.
He considered contacting her, letting her know he was glad she was moving on in her life and it seemed it was the right direction.
Then he thought better of it.
Their break was clean, and although it was her idea, it was mutually agreed.
No going back.
He was relieved to know she was good.
But now, that too, was done.
Then Tom set the letter aside to show to Mika when she got back. She and Cadence were in Texas, filming the piece about Judge’s aunt by marriage and cousin, Reid and Greer Oakley.
Tom got himself some water from the fridge.
And then, keeping Ace and Serena back with his foot, because they still followed him everywhere (at least he had two kids at home who were never going to leave him), he went out to check on the men who were building his tennis court.
* * *
Elsa Cohen
“The Elsa Exchange”
Celebrity News and Interviews
YouTube Channel
“My wonderful watchers, I have just spent the evening with greatness. Yes, as reported earlier, not only did I get an advanced copy of the coffee table tome, Mika Stowe’s latest, Our Creation, a collection of extraordinary and ultra-personal pictures, short stories, vignettes and poems as well as new photographs by the great Ms. Stowe chronicling her adoration and grief for her shooting-star love affair with Pissed-Off Hippies drummer, Rollo Merriman. And an aside, you must buy it. Immediately. It is divine. But I digress, I was also invited to the book launch party.”
Picture on screen of Mika Stowe, resplendent in burgundy satin with large, bright, embroidered flowers, deep cleavage and a hem of fringe, standing next to tall, dark and handsome Tom Pierce wearing a Tom Ford suit. On Tom’s other side, also in the curve of his arm, was Mika and Rollo’s daughter, Cadence, who was wearing a simple pink strapless shift.
Cut back to Elsa.
“How’s that for adjusted? New man at the book launch party celebrating your lost love. But of course, as ever with this crew, there’s more.”