Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“I guess I’ll be helping Holden,” I whisper and turn the corner on the block where my coffee shop is. It’s quiet this early in the morning, and I’m the only one out and about this early.
I like it that way.
The other huge bombshell came after the conversation with my family, when Holden admitted the way things really went down after we had sex, when he was cruel in the way he broke things off with me. All these years, I thought I’d been a joke to him. I was humiliated and heartsick, and I hated him with every fiber of my being. I was cruel in return. And yet, there was always chemistry there, and I’d started to soften toward him over the past couple of years because I couldn’t help myself.
But now I find out that he was forced to be horrible to me, to drive me away, all to keep me and his sisters safe.
Because his father was an evil, horrible son of a bitch.
And I don’t even really know how to process that. Am I supposed to toss out everything that was said and done, fall back into love with him, and give him my whole heart and soul again? A huge part of me wants to do just that. But the memories of how he laughed at me, how he looked at me so coldly and sneered, and made me feel like I was nothing is still embedded in my core memories, and I don’t know if I’m ready to trust that it wouldn’t happen again.
I don’t know if I’m ready to trust that my heart is safe with Holden Lexington.
I look up as the sun starts to lighten the sky over the mountains and feel my soul settle a bit. The mountains always settle me.
Bitterroot Valley is in my blood. My family, along with Holden’s, settled this area well over a hundred years ago, and we’re proud to be a founding family. I love my town. Even though I went away to college, I couldn’t get back here fast enough. I’ve always known that this is where I belong.
Once inside, I immediately start to tidy up, although Candy is always great about leaving the shop clean, and then I get ready for the day. After a quick trip down to The Sugar Studio to pick up the day’s pastries, I get the display case filled and then unlock the door to start the day.
“I’m so glad that Andrea and Macy worked out,” Candy says with a bright smile. “They’re just the nicest girls, and this will be the perfect job for them.”
“I’m glad, too,” I agree. “And with Hannah helping on weekends, since she’s still in school, and then more when her schedule loosens up, we should be covered through the summer. I’m going to look into what it would take for me to offer full-time employees benefits, to help entice more long-term employees. Being a small business owner in a tourist town isn’t easy, and it’s not easy to work in one, either.”
“That would be amazing,” Candy says. “But you know me. I’m with you no matter what, babe.”
“You’re the best.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and squeeze as my cell vibrates with a text. “Do you mind grabbing some more vanilla and caramel syrup out of the back?”
“You got it.”
Candy takes off to the storeroom, and I pull out my phone.
Husband: My sisters forced me into a family meeting this morning. Just wanted you to know that they’re headed your way this afternoon. They’re happy, so don’t freak out.
I scowl at the phone. I didn’t have Holden’s number, and I definitely didn’t assign Husband to his name. He must have done it yesterday at the restaurant.
First, I type out a reply.
Me: Thanks for the heads-up! Glad it went well.
Then I bring up his contact info and change his name to Big Jerk, just to make myself laugh.
An hour later, after the lunchtime rush, all four Lexington sisters walk into my shop, grinning at me.
Well, except for Darby. She’s not watching me with open hostility, but she’s kind of giving me the beady eye.
And that’s okay.
“You’re my sister-in-law!” Charlie rushes around the counter and throws her arms around me in a huge hug. “I can’t believe it. I’m so happy.”
“Hi, guys.” I laugh, and then I’m swept up into two more hugs, which surprises me and would normally make me a little uncomfortable because I’m not a huge hugger, especially with people I’m not close to. And then Darby’s eyeing me again.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Alex says to her sister. “Don’t be a brat.”
“She’s not,” I say and hold my hand out to shake Darby’s. “I get it.”
Her gaze falls to my hand, then lands back on my face before she reluctantly reaches out to shake.