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)
“Levi, I can hear you breathing.”
“Right. I’m here.”
“I took the liberty of booking a chartered flight. I’m going with you, and so are the girls.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Barbara sighs. “Disneyland is having a two-for-one special on tickets,” she says, even though I know she’s lying. “Listen, we’re going because we’re your family, and I really am taking the girls to Disneyland. They need it, and you’ll be worried about them while you’re trying to be all knight in shining armor.”
I pull the phone away from my ear. “Do you want to go to Disneyland tomorrow?”
Stormy’s eyes go wide, and she nods frantically. “Can we stay in a hotel there and not at the house?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.”
“Will you bring Zara home to us?”
Her words hit me hard, but I nod. “I will.” I wait for her to run out of my room and for the screaming to stop before I put the phone back to my ear. “We’ll meet you at the airport.”
“That’s my boy!” Barbara hangs up before I have a chance to say anything. In the other room, Stormy and Willow are happily yelling, and I find myself quickly emptying my drawers so I can pack and be ready to go.
No sooner do I have my travel bag zipped, Willow attacks me from behind. “Is this why we couldn’t bring the dogs home yesterday?”
“No,” I tell her, shaking my head, but smiling. “They have to run a background check before they let the dogs leave the shelter, but we’ll be back in time to pick them up and bring them home.”
“Phew,” she says as she wipes her hand across her forehead. “I’m all about seeing Mickey, but didn’t want to leave the dogs.” Willow all but runs out of my room, hollering at her sister that we’re in the clear.
After Buck left, the girls and I went down to the shelter. It was easy to see why Stormy asked for two dogs. She had fallen in love with an old timer that was dropped off at the shelter in the middle of the night, while Willow wanted a pup. We paid to adopt both.
Now I get why a background check needs to be done, but since my life is played out in front of the media, everyone knows that I’m a stand-up guy. Everyone, that is, except the hard-nosed clerk at the shelter who didn’t even bat an eyelash when the girls and I walked in. No, she didn’t care that Levi Austin was coming to the shelter to adopt an animal. Didn’t even faze her.
While I was irritated with the policy, I’m thankful though because the last thing I would want to do is leave the dogs behind for June to take care of or ask my parents to watch them when they just got here.
Leaving my bedroom, I find the girls standing eagerly by the front door. As far as I know, Willow doesn’t have any idea what is actually going on, and I trust Stormy to keep the secret. We pile into my truck, turn the music on, and sing our hearts out until we arrive at the airport where Barbara is waiting for us at the private terminal.
Once our bags are checked, and we’re boarded, I lean my head back against the leather seat and close my eyes. The idle chatter around me is heartwarming and lulls me to sleep.
I jerk awake when the plane touches down. I’m a bit disorientated and not sure of the time. Not that it’s going to matter. I’m heading straight to the resort to get to the bottom of. . . well, everything.
Barbara takes the girls in one car, while I get into another. Willow looks confused, and I tell her that I have some business to take care of, but will meet them at the hotel later. I’m tired but focused on the road ahead as I drive into the desert, wondering what’s going to happen. I don’t have much of a case to plead. Van and Zara have a history, where we have weeks upon weeks of playing house. Deep down, I question whether I even stand a chance and fear that she’s going to tell me that it’s over. I don’t know what I’ll do, other than tuck my tail and drive to the happiest place on earth.
The valet greets me as soon as I put the car in park. The somewhat muted overhead lights give off a soft, romantic glow. Dread fills the pit of my stomach as I walk in the Spanish-style resort.
“Can I help you?” the woman behind the counter says, smiling brightly. She looks as nervous as I do right now.
“I’m looking for a guest, Zara Phillips.”
She types away on her keyboard. “Who can I say is calling?”