Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“You’re not going to date?”
“Who would I date? I pretty much know everyone in Willow Fork. Most of the people my age left for the city. I don’t see the possibility of a man on the run showing up and needing my help.” It was how Josh and Grim had met Nicole. It wasn’t happening to her. “So I accept the fact that I might be alone for a while. The truth of the matter is I’ve been using Bobby to hold the world at bay.”
“You think I didn’t figure that out?” Her mom sat on the end of the bed. “Your sister did, too, by the way, but your dads still think you’re probably going to marry Bobby and the two of you are waiting for Will to get his head out of his ass.”
She winced. She needed to be careful about what she said next. “Will’s perfectly happy with a mathematician. He met her at MIT. And Bobby has a boyfriend he met there. They’re happy, Mom. It’s time for me to move on, but I need to do it in my own way.”
“You’re telling me you don’t want me and your sister to start setting you up,” her mom said equally carefully.
“I appreciate you thinking of me, but it’s a lot of pressure that I don’t need right now. I know time is getting away. I know my eggs are getting older, too,” she began.
Her mom stood and crossed the space between them, putting her hands on Olivia’s cheeks and forcing her to look into her eyes. “Your worth has nothing to do with children. Nothing. Your worth is also not tied to you having a husband. You are worthy because you’re a good person. That’s all you have to be. If you want kids, you don’t need a husband. You have an enormous amount of resources I didn’t have when I got pregnant with Lexi. No one is going to kick you out or fire you. No one is going to question you.”
“I assure you the entire town will,” she shot back. “But you’re right. I don’t care. If I make that decision, I know you and Dad and Papa will support me.”
“More than support. We’ll cheer. We miss having babies around,” her mom explained and then winced. “Not that we’re putting pressure on any of you.”
“Mom, it’s okay. I love you. I know how hard it was on you being a single mom, and I know I wouldn’t have the same problems. It’s something to think about. But while I’m thinking, I don’t want to get set up. I’ll find my way.”
“I agree. No setups. Have fun at the club and explore and you’ll probably be surprised that once you stop looking, something will show up. Or someone. Or two someones. Lexi will be disappointed. She’s been working with these two gentlemen and thinks they would be perfect for you.”
Olivia held up a hand. “Nope. I’m good. I had my fun last night, and now I’m going to deal with work for a while. I’m going to get dressed because we have a flight to make.”
“About that,” her mom began.
She could guess. “You’re moving over to The Club and spending the week there.”
Her mom held her hand. “I told you we’re having the house renovated while Benita’s on vacation. There’s only one other thing, and I hope you’re okay with it. The house is a mess, and Josh and Grim’s new place is still getting the finishing touches.”
Horror dawned as she realized what her mom was asking. “Where do the two guys Lucas is sending go? I mean I don’t know that we have enough rooms in the bunkhouse.”
“Sweetie, there aren’t rooms in the bunkhouse. There are beds. I can’t ask this lawyer to sleep on a cot in the bunkhouse.”
“But you can ask two random guys to stay with your daughter?”
Her mom waved the concern off. “It’s not exactly a tight space. You’ve got three bedrooms and a good security system, and I happen to know you can handle yourself. These guys have been thoroughly vetted by Lucas. It’s only a couple of weeks. Maybe the foreman will feel more comfortable in the bunkhouse and then you only have to deal with one of them. I’m so sorry. You know what? I’ll go talk to your dads. We can handle some dust.”
It wasn’t dust. The whole house was getting an overhaul, and they were renovating the playspace in the big house. For years they’d used the guest house for it but gave it up when Josh and Grim needed a place. It was good they were upgrading that part of their life. “I can handle a lawyer, and lord knows I can handle a cowboy.”
“Are you sure? Because now I’m worried. What if they aren’t nice men?”