Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Finally, we tumble back to Earth, panting and heaving, our skin sheened in sweat.
“Goodness,” she murmurs in a dazed voice. “That was unreal.”
I merely press a kiss to her damp shoulder.
“It was unreal, sweetheart,” I growl. “But the most unreal part is still coming, you’ll see.”
After all, I’m going to get my revenge on my twin brother. It won’t be evil or anything like that, but James can’t steal my identity and think he’s going to walk away scot-free. Instead, I’ve got a plan in mind, and it’s going to be fun executing it.
9
Tracy
I set the table with delicate bone china as delicious aromas waft to my nostrils.
“Am I really meeting my Uncle James tonight?” Amelia asks, helping me place the napkins. Her big blue eyes are innocent and wide as I nod.
“We are. We’re all going to meet him,” I say in a firm voice.
Amelia nods.
“But why haven’t I met him before?”
I go to my knees and look into the little girl’s eyes while lightly gripping her narrow shoulders.
“It’s because Daddy’s adopted, remember? Grandma and Grandpappy adopted Daddy long ago, but evidently there were two babies to be adopted and no one told them. Your dad was one, and Uncle James was the other. Don’t worry though. Uncle James went to another family, but now that he and Daddy have found one another, we’re all going to be family.”
Amelia nods somberly while placing another napkin on the table.
“Does Uncle James have any kids?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“Not that I know of, but I think he might be having one in the future. Wouldn’t that be fun to have cousins to play with?”
The little girl’s face lights up as she claps her hands with pleasure.
“Yes! I won’t be an only child anymore!”
I press a fond kiss to her head before stepping back and giving her a stern look.
“That’s true, but remember, you’re not going to stay for the whole dinner, honey. Uncle James is going to arrive, and you’ll say hi, but then you’re going straight to bed. It’s almost 8 p.m. sweetheart, and six year old girls need their rest.”
Amelia frowns before lighting up once again.
“I’m just so excited,” she sings. “Uncle James, Uncle James.”
I smile as the doorbell rings although my heart’s doing double-time in my chest. After all, this is going to be a very interesting dinner party. We’ve briefed Amelia about her new relative, but what we didn’t add is that Savannah will be coming over too. Rick and I decided that it’d be easier to get everyone together, and to hash things out in the open. Is this a recipe for disaster? Maybe, but we’re hoping for the best.
Meanwhile, I lumber to the front door before opening it. Sure enough, there’s a handsome man on the doorstep who looks exactly like my boyfriend. There are a few differences here and there. For example, Rick has a bit more salt and pepper in the hair at his temples, and my boyfriend also seems to be in better shape. But overall, this guy is a doppelgänger for the man I love.
He leans forward to place a kiss on my cheek.
“You must be Tracy,” he greets, holding forth a bottle of wine. “I’m James Cornwall, Rick’s long lost twin.”
“Come in,” I murmur, accepting the wine. “Thanks for coming over. I hope you like steak.”
He grins while shedding his jacket, revealing broad shoulders in a well-fitted blue shirt.
“I love steak,” he growls. “But where’s my brother at?”
At that moment, Rick appears from the hallway with Amelia peeping out from behind her father.
“Hey buddy,” my boyfriend growls, holding a hand out to James. “Good to see you again.”
His twin nods, with no idea what’s about to happen.
“You too, my brother. Thanks for having me. Now, who’s this?” he asks, crouching down to greet Amelia. “Is this a princess? Elsa? Belle? Ariel, even?”
“No silly!” Amelia giggles while popping out from behind her dad. “I have blonde hair, so I can’t be Ariel! Ariel has red hair and flippers too because she’s a mermaid.”
“Ah ha,” James says in a serious voice. “That’s what I thought but she loses her flippers at the end, right? When she marries Prince Eric?”
Amelia nods seriously.
“She does, but she still has red hair, and my hair’s not red, so I can’t be her.”
James nods somberly, still crouched at her level.
“Well, I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Princess. What did you say your name was?”
“Amelia,” the darling girl says in a smart tone. “And Daddy tells me you’re my new Uncle James.”
The dark-haired man is somber as he nods, looking into her eyes.
“I am your Uncle James,” he says. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Amelia. Maybe we can get to know each other later, but your dad mentioned that this is only going to be a quick hello before you go up to bed.”