Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
But she couldn’t do it. She didn’t want to go back there and she hoped that she could still get her deposit back.
Arabella still couldn’t believe that the guys were willing to move here to be with her. They’d warned her that they would probably have to go back to Houston regularly and might need to travel around a bit for their jobs.
But that didn’t matter as long as they came home to her.
Eli looked stressed. Was everything all right? Was it work? Would they have to leave?
The day after tomorrow she was meeting their brothers. And then Sunday was the fair which she was really looking forward to.
“What is it?” Iona asked with wide eyes. “Ooh, this is a really professional set-up.”
“Thanks, I was thinking that the cakes I make you could sell in the store. As thanks for letting me use your place.”
Iona wouldn’t hear of her paying any sort of rent. Which was a bit of a relief since she didn’t have much money coming in right now.
Once things settled down she’d be all right.
She hoped.
“Oh wow. That’s a great idea!”
“I mean, try the cake first. It will take me two sessions to make and decorate so it won’t be ready until tomorrow night.”
“No problem! I am so excited. Can I know who you are now?”
“Sure, my name on social media is Bella Bakes. I know it’s not that imaginative . . .”
The rest of her words were drowned out by Iona’s squeal of excitement. “Oh. My. God! I know who you are! You’re freaking famous!”
Eli sent her a questioning look and she just smiled at him as Iona grabbed her arms, shaking her slightly.
She was feeling much better now. Probably because the guys had fussed over her for a few days . . . actually, they were still fussing over her. But she hoped they’d ease up a bit now.
She did not need to take a nap every day.
“You do?” she asked.
“Yes, oh my God! I’m in the presence of baking royalty.”
Arabella gave an embarrassed laugh. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I would.”
“Everything okay?” Eli asked, walking over to wrap his arm around Arabella.
“Your girl rocks!” Iona said.
Eli grinned. “She does. What did she do now?”
“She’s an amazing baker, but her decorating? That’s next level. I’m so excited.”
“I don’t want anyone knowing who I am, though,” Arabella warned. “I know I probably could now that my father is dead and can’t take this away from me . . . but with this break-in . . . and the press.”
She was suddenly aware that Iona was gaping at her. “Your father would have taken this from you?”
“Um, he was a bit of a bastard.”
“Eh. I get that. Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” She zipped her lips.
“Are there any peanuts in this kitchen?” Eli asked, peering around as though he thought they were hiding and might suddenly attack.
Arabella groaned. “Eli, we’ve talked about this.”
Both men seemed to be very obsessed with what she ate. To the point that it was becoming ridiculous.
Heath had actually made the kitchen at the hotel peanut free.
It was crazy.
They hadn’t just bought one EpiPen when she’d left the hospital, but three so they could each have one on them.
Insane.
But she liked it.
“Um, there is.”
“Where are they?” Eli asked.
“In the pantry. In a clearly marked container.”
“Hmm. I suppose that’s all right.”
Arabella sighed. “Eli, I have to eat them to have a reaction. I don’t have an airborne allergy. I will be fine. Stop stressing.”
Iona’s phone beeped. “Ooh, I’ve got to go or I’ll be late for line dancing. Is there anything else you need?”
“No. Thank you so much. We’ll lock up before we go.”
“Aces! Bye! And I’m so excited.”
“Kellan was right,” Eli said as he stared after Iona. “Too much energy.”
“Eli! I think she’s lovely. And line dancing actually sounds fun. Is everything all right? You look worried.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. That was Jake on the phone. Deputy Doofus has disappeared.”
Now everyone was calling him Deputy Doofus and she didn’t even feel bad about that.
“Disappeared?” she repeated. “What do you mean?”
“The sheriff of the county where he actually works called Jake and told him that he never turned up for work, and that he isn’t at home or answering his phone.”
“Do you think something happened to him?” That was terrible. He wasn’t a good cop and seemed a bit arrogant and rude. But she didn’t want something bad to happen.
“Not sure. They’re treating it as a missing person. We’ll see what happens.”
“All right.”
Eli cupped the back of her head. “Are you feeling all right? If you’re too tired you don’t have to do this.”
“No, I’m good. I promise. I really want to get back to work.”
He nodded. “Get to it, then. I’ll tell you when it’s time to stop.”
Arabella had worried that she might be embarrassed with someone watching on. But she quickly forgot Eli was in the room as he worked on his laptop. She soon zoned him out and it wasn’t long until she had her cake baked and cooled and was starting to put the icing on.