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)
“Hi, everyone,” Erin says, grabbing our attention. “Thanks for coming to this month’s IWC luncheon. Don’t forget, we have our spring formal event happening in two weeks. We will be posting on socials and in the newsletter, so keep an eye on that.”
That’s right, it’s coming up! Four times a year, we host a big, fancy party and invite spouses or significant others to join us to celebrate everyone’s successes.
This time, I get to bring my husband as my date, and that makes the murder hornets wake up in my belly and do the cha-cha.
“Now, without further ado, I’d like to introduce my friend, Cora. She came all the way from New Orleans to be here with us today. Cora’s family is in the shipbuilding business, and well, I’m going to let her tell you all about it. Give Cora a hand!”
As we applaud, the beautiful redhead in her pretty green dress takes the mic from Erin and smiles at all of us.
“Wow, this is an intimidating room to stand in front of. Erin has told me so much about what she and her besties are doing with your Iconic Women’s Collective, and when she asked me to come speak to you, I jumped at the opportunity. Normally, I’m on the shy side, but I kind of wanted to come be a part of the cool kids’ club.”
There’s some laughter in the audience, and Cora continues.
“My name is Cora Boudreaux, and Erin was correct when she said I’m from New Orleans. I have a big, loud, crazy family down there that I’m pretty wild about. My great-great-great-grandfather started building ships on the Mississippi River about a million years ago, and our company is called Boudreaux Enterprises. My father, Eli Boudreaux, is the CEO of the company, but I am interning with him because he’d like to eventually retire and spend the rest of his many years spoiling the hell out of my mom.”
She grins when we chuckle again and settles into a rhythm of talking about the challenges of running a multi-billion dollar enterprise, one that’s so high profile and important.
And I can tell that some of the women here are thinking, But how can this help my small business?
“I have a question,” I say, putting up a hand. “How do you find ways to reach out to your community and help the local people that you employ?”
Cora grins at me. “Good question. Because although we are global, and pretty damn big, we’re also committed to being involved in our local community.”
Finally, she shifts to talking about what Boudreaux Enterprises does in New Orleans, and now I see more interest sparking around me.
I glance over at Erin, who mouths thank you, and I grin at her.
Two hours later, once everyone has left and we’ve cleared out the flowers and helped with some of the big cleanup, we walk out to our vehicles.
“That was awesome,” Polly says with a sigh. “Also, we keep upping our guest speaker game. That was impressive.”
“Also, also, when she said that her uncle was a baseball player, and her cousin is currently a pro baseball player, it made me want to know more about their family. They sound like yours, Erin,” Abbi says.
“They’re pretty cool, yeah.” Erin grins. “Hopefully, Cora will bring them out here for a visit, and we’ll have a big party at Ryan’s house.”
“We’re in,” Polly says. “Okay, ladies, I have to get home to the bambino. Lottie should be waking up from her nap anytime.”
“Same,” Summer agrees. “August is teething, and he’s moody. But we’ll see you tomorrow, Millie. We’re all coming out to help at your ranch. Joy’s going to watch all the kids for us.”
I blink at her, surprised. “You’re all coming?”
“Of course,” Erin says, patting me on the shoulder. “It’s branding day.”
She winks, and then everyone gets into their vehicles to go home. I climb into mine, too, so full of gratitude and emotion, I have to pause before pulling out of the parking space.
For generations, it’s been a firm policy that the Wilds and the Lexingtons do not help each other out on their ranches. Other neighbors do, but not those two rival families.
Never.
But now that that evil man is dead and buried, and Holden and I are married, things are changing, and I love it so much.
“It’s about time things start to change. Now, if my dad would just come around.”
I start my car to leave, but my phone rings, and I frown when I see that it’s Bridger.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Hey, are you busy for the next few hours?” I hear the fatigue in his voice. He needs a sitter for Birdie. I can feel it in my bones. Since his parents moved to Florida, the poor guy can’t catch a break when it comes to help with his sweet little girl.