Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I suck in a deep breath of air, and feeling rotten for lying, I answer, “She was just happy to see Easton.”
Lainey thinks for a moment, then says, “She’s never cried before when he’s come home from filming.”
My mind races to think of a better lie, then I say, “Maybe she’s happy because I’m here as well. It’s the first time we’re all together.”
Thankfully, my excuse seems to put Lainey at ease. “That’s true.” She grins at me. “Let’s go home, so we can show them what we bought.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” I climb to my feet and brush the sand from my dress while we walk toward the SUV.
We stop to toss the empty cups into the trash, and I glance over my shoulder at the ocean, hoping I’ll get to see it again soon.
After we get back into the vehicle, she says, “We can go home, Izak.”
During the short drive, Lainey grins. “Mom’s going to love the dress I got for the bake sale.”
“You looked good in it,” I say. “I wish I had your sense of style. When I was your age, I only wore shorts and T-shirts.”
She looks me up and down. “I like the dress you’re wearing today. It’s pretty.”
Her compliment boosts my fragile self-esteem, making me smile. “Aww, thank you.”
When the SUV pulls up to the front of the mansion, I’m once again struck by how big and luxurious the place is.
“Let’s get all your bags,” I murmur.
“Don’t worry about it. Tyler and Izak will bring everything inside,” Lainey says while shoving her door open.
Earlier, when we were shopping, I was surprised when the driver and bodyguard doubled as pack mules for Lainey. They didn’t complain once though.
Gosh, life is very different here.
Again, I’m hit with the fact that I’m at Easton’s place, and I get to see him after so many years. Even though a dark shadow hangs over me because of the crap I’ve been through and Rachel’s illness, my heart beats faster for the man I’ve loved most of my life.
We climb out of the vehicle, and I join Lainey as we walk into the mansion. “Mom, we’re home!” she shouts.
“Out here,” Rachel replies from the direction of the veranda.
When we step through the open sliding doors, I see Rachel sitting on a lounge chair. Easton’s standing in front of a grill, busy flipping a juicy steak. There are worried lines on his face, but he still looks unbelievably good looking.
My attraction to the man knows no end, and I pray to all that’s holy I’ll be able to hide it from everyone.
“Did you have fun?” Rachel asks, glancing between Lainey and me.
“So much fun!” Lainey replies while I nod.
I sit down beside Rachel, and unable to stop myself, I take her hand and hold it tightly. As her fingers curl around mine, my gaze darts over her features, and I notice how tired and pale she looks.
My heart clenches painfully in my chest, and the urge to grab onto her and not let go almost overpowers me.
Once again, I’m overcome with an intense sense of hopelessness and fear, and I try to breathe through the heavy emotions while Lainey says, “I got new dresses! They’re pretty like Nova’s. And I got sneakers and shoes, and the cutest handbag, and an adorable hat.”
“Why a hat?” Rachel asks with a soft chuckle.
Lainey shrugs. “I’m thinking of making it my new style.”
Rachel lets out a bark of laughter. “God help us. I’m still trying to recover from your scarf obsession. You haven’t worn most of them.”
“But they look pretty as decorations,” Lainey argues as she moves to stand beside Easton. “Nova and I already ate, but the food smells yummy.”
Easton brushes his hand over her hair in a fatherly manner. “You can have yours later.”
I wonder if he’ll ever get married and have children of his own. I think he’d make an amazing father.
I once read that he was dating a model, but it didn’t last long, and there’s been no other news of him being in a relationship.
The aroma of the steaks pulls me out of my thoughts, and even though I’m stuffed from everything Lainey and I ate today, I ask, “Can I make a salad? Or maybe a potato bake?”
“Don’t worry,” Rachel replies. “Frances already prepared green beans and mashed potatoes.”
I give her a questioning look. “Frances?”
“Oh, she’s our housekeeper. You’ll love her,” she informs me. “You’ll also see Josh and Randy around the property. They’re the groundskeepers. And you’ll probably meet the other guards, Noah, Ryan, and Eddie, at some point.”
Holy crap, that’s a lot of names to remember.
Rachel must read my mind because she says, “I’ll keep reminding you of their names until you remember them.”
I let out a relieved chuckle. “Thanks.”
“All the bags are in the living room,” Izak suddenly says from where he’s standing by the open sliding doors.