Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Go back and swim,” I tell Willow before asking my mama and Barbara to follow me into the house.
“I know what you’re going to say, Levi,” my mama says in the most dramatic fashion possible.
“You do?”
“Of course I do. You’re going to lecture me on keeping them girls home,” she says as she pours herself a glass of lemonade. She offers Barb a glass, but not me, and honestly, I’m feeling a bit left out. “But honestly, it was one day.”
“Willow already missed a week after Iris died, and the whole point of us staying here is so they can finish out the school year,” I tell her.
“Son,” she says as she comes over to me. “It was one additional day. She’ll go tomorrow.”
“And Stormy too, right? Because again, we are here because of the school she attends. If she doesn’t want to go here, she can go back in Nashville,” I point out.
“I promise, no more hooky with Memaw.”
I go over and kiss her on her forehead. “Actually, the reason I asked you two in here is because something has come up and I need to head back to Nashville and want to know if you can stay with the girls.” I look directly at my mama, so she understands that I’m talking to her. If I’m in Nashville, it’s likely that Barb will follow me back, although I’d prefer for her to stay here to keep my mother company.
“What kind of business?” Barbara asks, knowing all too well that she knows everything there is to know about me.
“Um. . .” Instantly my hand pushes over the top of my hat as I try to come up with something good to tell them. I have never been much of a liar, and by the way, my mama and Barb are eyeing me so they can tell something’s up.
“What’s her name?” Mama asks.
“It’s not what you think,” I say defensively.
“You don’t want to know what I’m thinking,” Barbara adds while rolling her eyes at me. I have a feeling she’s going to be shocked when I tell her who I’m heading back home with. For as long as I can remember she’s been trying to get me to date anyone from our circle. Not that Zara and I are dating, but that’s how it’s going to look as soon as I drop the bomb.
I glance out the door to make sure the girls are not only okay but not within hearing range of what I’m about to say. All this while two of the most important women in my life stand side by side with their hands on their hips with a look that tells me that they’re onto me.
“I had coffee with Zara Phillips this mornin’.”
“And now you’re whisking her off to Nashville?” my mother asks.
“She’s married, Levi,” Barbara adds.
I hold my hands up in a silent plea to let me finish. “She’s separated, and as I said, it’s not what you think. Her ex cheated on her, and he’s about to enter rehab for sex addiction. She wants to disappear and this mornin’ while we were talking about the ranch, she asked me to take her there.” Barbara looks very skeptical while my mother is smiling. Two very mixed responses.
“She has money to go anywhere in the world, why Nashville?” Barb asks.
I shrug, knowing that Zara can definitely go anywhere in the world, but I want to take her to my house. I want to show her around and let her get lost in the land. I want to take her horseback riding and sit across from her while we watch the wood burn in the bonfire.
“Because no one will know her there. Just like no one knows me here. She can hide out on the ranch in peace and quiet, probably go into town and shop and no one will bother her.”
“She’ll stand out like a sore thumb with her wild hair,” Barbara says. I happen to agree with her, but it's not like I can tell her to cut or dye her hair.
“This mornin’ she had a hat on, no one really paid attention.” That was until we left and the paparazzi hollered her name until we stepped into the park. I don’t know if they ever caught up with her since I had to leave her there. Thinking back I probably should’ve stayed with her until she reached her car.
“I don’t like it, Levi. Her troubles aren’t yours, and the last thing you need is to be in the middle of a divorce or have some gung-ho reporter tag you as the problem between Zara and her husband.”
Barbara’s right, but my mind is made up as long as my mama can stay with the girls. If not, I’ll take Zara to my ranch and come right back, even though I want to spend time at home where I’m comfortable. Plus this would be a good time for me to get the girls’ rooms ready for when school is out, and we return for good.