Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
It takes a few minutes for whatever the hell that was to clear from the air.
“Look familiar?”
I turn toward him, eyes narrowed.
He smirks, watching the road ahead. “Do you recognize anything from the last time you were in Savannah?”
“Funny.”
“Have you been anywhere else in the U.S. since you were born here?”
“No. England, Spain, France, Italy, Scotland, Germany … and the Caribbean where my mum has family, but not anywhere else here.”
“Where are you headed in six months?”
Such a brilliant question.
“Hard to say.”
He takes a quick glance at me, a flirty smile curling his lips. “You’re on a hiatus, huh? A break from life?”
“I’m on an extended holiday, but not from life, just the distractions.”
Nolan pulls off the main road.
“This doesn’t look like Tybee Island.”
“So you do remember your last time in Savannah.”
I shake my head. “Internet search.”
A blanket of tangled trees seems to engulf the vehicle in every direction. The sun sneaks its way through the occasional hole, splashing light along the cobblestone drive that vibrates my seat. I squint against the morning light, my eyes desperate to close for at least a good eight hours.
“Are you the governor?”
Nolan chuckles as the red-bricked, white-pillared, two-story plantation-style house greets us in the clearing ahead. “No. He lives in Atlanta. I live here and so do my parents when they’re not traveling.”
“You live here and you’re charging me a grand a month for one room and a shared kitchen?”
“How else would I afford to live here?” The lively glimmer in his smile reminds me of Daniel.
The last time Daniel smiled at me like that we were tasting cake samples for our autumn wedding. Life has a special way of changing everything in a blink. Love has many definitions. I’m certain I’ve experienced most of them to get to here.
“I see. You buy and sell houses and still live with your mum and dad. Well done, you.”
“Scarlet Stone, I love your accent, even when it’s wrapped around snarky little barbs.” He unfastens his seatbelt. “I have a contract to pick up here and then deliver after I drop you off. And my parents asked me to come by for a drink as soon as I got home. Two birds. One stone.”
“With me?”
“I think they’d frown upon me leaving you in the car.” Nolan grins but it fades as quickly as it appeared. “Savannah isn’t the smallest town, but in certain circles it feels that way.”
“How so?”
“Gossip. I’d like to think that during your stay you could avoid the gossip, but it’s unlikely. I don’t want you to believe everything you hear, especially about my family.”
My probing gaze implores him, my curiosity reaching its summit.
Nolan chews on the inside of his lip for a moment. “My parents have an … unconventional relationship, and my mother is not well. Hasn’t been for quite some time.”
“Do you know what’s wrong with her?”
“No. She’s not in physical pain. Hers is emotional … I think. We don’t really know. But I want you to meet them so you can see for yourself that they’re just a married couple living in Savannah. Sure, they have a few issues, but who doesn’t. Right?”
My name is Scarlet Stone, and I’m drawn to anything out of the ordinary, the crazy, the eccentric. I’ve been this way all my life. Excitement runs through my veins.
Nolan jogs around the car. “My lady.”
My brow raises. “Chivalrous.” I rest my hand in his.
“I’m a southern gentleman.”
“Hmm, we’ll see about that.”
“Mr. Moore.” A Hispanic lady with silver-streaked black hair pulled into a tight bun welcomes us before we even make it up the white-painted steps to the spacious wraparound porch.
“Sofia.” He hugs her, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Did you have a nice trip?”
I survey her black dress that falls just below her knees, black leather flats, and a crisp white apron.
Nolan nods. “I did. Thank you. I’d like you to meet Scarlet Stone. She’s renting the other room on Tybee.”
“With Mr. Reed?” Sofia’s russet eyes grow with surprise and her jaw goes slack.
I’m missing something here.
“Yes. She’ll be staying with Theodore.”
Sofia purses her lips to the side, eyes inspecting me. “Have you met Mr. Reed?”
I shake my head, shifting my attention to Nolan. He motions with his head for me to step inside.
“My parents?” he asks.
Sofia clears her throat and shakes her head a bit. “Yes, sorry. Your parents are out back. Bourbon?”
“Yes. Thank you, Sofia.”
“And for you, Miss Stone?”
“Room-temperature bottled water.”
Sofia blinks several times. Nolan raises a brow.
“Tap is fine,” I whisper.
“Ice?” Sofia smiles like all is well again.
“No, thank you.”
Mr. I’m Not The Governor—but bloody hell this house is a mansion—guides me down an expansive hallway of exquisite white and gray marble flooring ending at a set of glass doors that open to a red-brick patio overlooking acres of rolling pastures and several horses grazing in the distance. The smell of fresh-cut grass hangs in the thick summer air.