Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Tessa,” Betsy said, “you look sensational. That dress is fabulous, and you’re as pretty as a picture.”
Tessa blushed deeply as she thanked her. “Everyone has been so kind.”
“We all rally around one another in this family,” Betsy said, smiling. “Which is why I’ve brought you these.” She opened her leather handbag and took out a small box. “I have to admit, we all knew about the dress. I thought these would be the perfect finishing touch. These earrings belonged to my grandmother. They’re something of a family heirloom.”
She opened the box and turned it toward Tessa. Inside were a pair of large pearl drop earrings, each pearl hanging from a chain of small diamonds. They were simple and elegant and absolutely gorgeous.
“I don’t know what to say,” Tessa murmured. “I love them.”
She couldn’t get over how kind everyone was. The warmth of the Davenports was like nothing she’d ever experienced.
She hadn’t bothered with jewelry, as nothing she owned was fancy enough for the dress. She crossed to the mirror and slipped on the earrings, loving the way they looked, then turned to show the family.
“I wore those at my wedding,” Betsy said, sounding dreamy, “and my mother wore them at hers. There’s a lot of happiness and history in those earrings.”
She turned to Arch, who still looked like he was in awe of her makeover. Realizing she hadn’t told him yet how great he looked, she said softly, “You look really handsome, Arch.”
He was dressed in a full black tuxedo, his hair recently cut and neater than usual. He looked like a heartthrob, and her heart beat wildly.
Even though they’d had sex time and time again, she couldn’t believe he was her date. He was also carrying the very suave-looking silver-topped cane, which looked amazing after Howie had fixed it up. She hoped he’d use her arm, too, if he needed it.
“Yes, he certainly is my handsome boy,” Betsy agreed.
“You scrub up pretty well, bro,” Mila said.
Tessa knew that she and Arch were staring at each other in front of his mom and sisters, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him and neither could he from her.
Finally, he said, “You look like a dream, Tessa. Just as I knew you would. I’m so proud to have you on my arm today.”
The moment felt so special that Tessa wasn’t even worried about how openly he was complimenting her in front of his family and whether they’d cotton to her sexual relationship with him. Instead, she savored feeling like a princess. Or maybe more like Cinderella at the ball? All she knew was that every part of her being glowed.
Arch turned to his mom. “Are you sure you’re happy to drive us to the airport? I can order a car.”
“Of course,” Betsy replied. “I feel like I’m taking you both to prom!” she added in a teasing tone. “Except this prom involves a private plane.”
Tessa gulped. Of course Arch would fly on a private plane. She had no idea what the inside of one even looked like. It was the perfect reminder that, just as Cinderella’s magical night had to end at midnight, so would hers as soon as he was fully healed and she was sent off to her next client.
Although, for the first time, Tessa couldn’t quite squash the hope that it might all work out for her the way it had for Cinderella…
Chapter Thirty-Two
Tessa touched the smooth black leather seats in the limousine. There had already been so many firsts today. A hair and makeup team, the surreal experience of flying in a small but luxurious private jet, and then being picked up at the private airfield near Moab by a limo. It was as if she’d stepped into someone else’s life entirely.
And yet, here she was—Tessa Taylor, in an outfit so glamorous she did a double take every time she caught her reflection.
Arch was holding her other hand as he looked out of the window. The passing scenery was stunning. The desert was beautiful—rusty reds, ochres, and a thousand shades of gold, the shapes of rock formations from ancient caves and canyons, swirls and flowing arches that looked like rainbows. She was completely enchanted, and her fingers yearned for paints and brushes. How incredible it would be to paint out here, to capture the majesty of this place, although she was certain she’d never be able to do it justice.
Being surrounded by nature as powerful as this was a welcome reminder of how small her worries were and how much joy there was to be taken in the simple, natural things life had to offer.
“It’s incredible, right?” Arch asked.
She nodded. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s so… humbling.”
Arch smiled. “You’re right, ‘humbling’ is the word. As much as I love the ocean, there’s something about the desert that ignites a different part of me.”