Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Susan, another mama bear, suddenly wrapped him in a sweet-smelling hug. Releasing him, she said to Flo, “He’s a doll, and he’ll treat Michaela with kid gloves. Better than she’s ever been treated before.” She smiled at Flo. “At least by someone who isn’t her wonderful mother.”
Fernsby simply couldn’t be left out. “I’ve kept a close watch over all the Harringtons for the past decade and a half. I’ve taught them everything they know. And I would never stand for any shenanigans.”
Troy couldn’t help himself. He laughed. Then he couldn’t stop, bending double until he could finally catch his breath again and manage, “There have been more shenanigans than I could ever list, Fernsby.” He pointed a finger. “And you know it.” With a smile for Flo, he said, “I am a good guy, I promise. But I’ve got to admit there have been shenanigans.”
Flo patted his arm. “Wonderful. That means you’ve already sown your wild oats.”
Troy decided not to say exactly how many wild oats he’d sown. But he’d always treated everyone he’d sown them with respectfully.
Finally, Fernsby got down to the reason for their visit. “Please tell us, sir, did you discover the perfect date that will bowl over dear Michaela?”
“Obviously not,” Troy admitted.
Susan said, “It’s going to take some engineering.”
Flo folded her arms. “We have to put our heads together.”
“Our scheme needs to be the most clever ever designed,” Fernsby added.
“You’re forgetting one important thing,” Troy said. “Michaela doesn’t want to date me. Or billionaires in general.”
Fernsby waved his hand as if it were a magic wand. “My dear boy, that’s why we’re here. We are your guarantee.” Then he acknowledged his two companions. “Ladies, we have the perfect dates in mind, designed to melt even the hardest heart. Correct?”
Troy didn’t want to sound skeptical, but he couldn’t help asking, “Like what?”
Flo’s eyes burned brightly. “A rooftop piano lounge in San Francisco. Picture this.” She smoothed her hands through the air. “A piano softly playing, the moon and stars shining overhead, a candlelit table, Cakebread chardonnay.”
Troy drawled, “You do realize how cold it gets at night on a rooftop in San Francisco.”
Flo huffed. “Have you ever heard of halogen heaters?”
Susan practically elbowed Fernsby out of the way. “Dinner and a magnificent show. Something fresh off Broadway.”
Alice Fletcher had been a show person, while Michaela had said she wasn’t. Right? He turned his gaze on Flo, a nonverbal request for her opinion.
“I have to say, she’s not a show person,” Flo verified. “Though we did see Menopause The Musical in Las Vegas, and she laughed hysterically.” She shot a sparkling glance at Susan. “It was so funny. All tunes you and I would recognize from our youth, but reworded so they were about hot flashes.”
Susan laughed. “It sounds delightful. We were recently in Las Vegas for Charlie and Sebastian’s wedding. I wish I’d known about it.”
Flo held her arm, squeezing. “You must go see it. Even if you have to make a special trip.”
Then Fernsby drawled, “My dear ladies, it sounds terrifying.” Then he fanned himself, which made the two ladies giggle.
Troy figured they’d nixed the show idea.
To Fernsby, he muttered, “Last chance.”
Fernsby met the challenge. “I suggest a dinner cruise.”
Troy scoffed. “But we’ve taken a cruise on a private yacht. And she practically ran away afterward.”
Fernsby shot him a withering look. “But did you dance on the yacht, holding Michaela in your arms?”
Troy thought about the kiss. He’d held her in his palms. Was that good enough? But he certainly wasn’t going to tell the entire matchmaking team about that.
His watch vibrated with a notification. “Unfortunately, I have a meeting in a few minutes.”
Fernsby stated imperiously, “Cancel it, sir. This is far more important. This is your future wife we’re talking about.”
Flo’s eyes went as wide as an owl’s. “Is that what we’re talking about?”
Susan put her arm around Flo’s shoulders. “Let me tell you that with my boys, the road to love never ran smoothly. But in the end, they got there. Even if sometimes they needed a little nudge.”
The matchmaking team was becoming overzealous in planning his life. He had to stop them before they careened off the tracks. “I appreciate all your suggestions.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But I will come up with the perfect date she can’t refuse.”
If Fernsby could smile, then that grimace on his lips was a smile. “I believe we have successfully lit the proverbial fire under the proverbial buttocks.” He mimed dusting off his hands. “Our work here is done.”
They hadn’t done anything at all. Except lighting that fire under his butt. Maybe that’s what this visit was all about.
As the trio headed for the door, Flo scanned the row of athletic shoes and hiking boots lining the wall in preparation for his meeting with a Hong Kong shoe manufacturer.