Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“I knew you’d fit right in,” I said, as I grabbed Dog’s collar and pulled her off Sutton. “If I didn’t know you were into me, I’d be jealous of that make-out session.”
Sutton laughed. “Gotta keep you on your toes.”
I slid my arm around her as the three of us headed into the house.
“Oh, you got her.” Mum looked up as we came into the kitchen from where she was preparing something. “She’s a total scoundrel. I keep telling your father she needs to go to puppy school but of course, he’s far too soft. I’m going to have to pretend I’m taking her for a walk one day and just send her somewhere residential. It’s total chaos at the moment. She’s barely housetrained. It’s like rolling the clock back thirty years.”
“Hey, Mum, I was housetrained by six.”
She laughed. “You, but not the others.”
“Now, Sutton,” Mum said. “Can Jacob get you a cup of tea? Glass of wine? It’s six o’clock somewhere and Jacob’s father has been driving me to distraction today. You know his latest thing is growing beans, which is a total and complete disaster because he won’t spend the bloody money to do it properly. I’ve told him he needs to protect it all from the foxes. Will he listen?”
“Dad never listens,” I said, moving around Mum and washing my hands. Sutton did the same and then I handed her the towel.
“Is this you?” Sutton asked, holding the towel up so she could see clearly my picture printed across it. “Why are you on the towel?” She glanced at my mother’s apron, which also had pictures of my face all over it. “And there?”
“He does it to wind his brothers up. Wine, Jacob, please.”
I pulled out some wine glasses from the fridge. “Shall I grab some of Dad’s malbec?”
Mum laughed and continued to chop her onion. “Don’t you dare. You’ll get us both shot.”
“No one touches Dad’s wine,” I explained to Sutton.
“There’s some white in the fridge,” Mum said.
“Is that okay with you?” I’d never seen her drink white wine.
She nodded. “Tell me about your face over everything.”
“I like to pretend I’m my mother’s favorite. Makes up for the fact that I’m a constant disappointment to Dad.”
Mum rolled her eyes and pulled out a frying pan. “Your father is just in a permanent bad mood. Don’t take it personally. Besides, you are my favorite. Don’t tell the others.”
I leaned over and pressed a kiss to my mother’s head before pouring out two glasses of wine.
“Can you fill up the dog bowl, as well?”
“With wine?” I asked, holding up the bottle.
“Yes, Jacob, let’s get the dog drunk,” she replied. “That’s all we need. I swear, Sutton, having to deal with Jacob’s retired father and a new puppy is much more demanding and chaotic than any operating theatre.”
Sutton smiled and then slapped her forehead. “Oh, I forgot something in the car. I’ll just get it.” Before I could offer to go for her, she sped out of the kitchen.
“Leave the bags,” I called after her. “I’ll get them in later.”
“She seems lovely, Jacob. Very pretty.” Mum transferred the chopped onion to the frying pan and began to stir.
“She’s lovely. I really like her.”
Mum turned to me, her eyebrows raised as if to say Are you my first-born son or is this a case of invasion of the body snatchers? “That sounds promising.”
“The only problem is . . . We met at work.” I braced myself for my mother’s disappointment.
Predictably, she groaned. “Don’t tell your father or he’ll be on a fifteen-minute rant before you know it.”
“Yeah, I’ve warned Sutton. But Dad just likes to rant at me. If it wasn’t this, it would be something else.”
“Pass me the olive oil?” I reached up in the cupboard and handed it to her. “Is Sutton the first woman at the hospital you’ve—”
“Yes, and I know it’s not ideal. We met each other before she started. It’s a long story but for the first time ever, I’ve met someone who’s worth the risk—of Dad’s rants.”
“Sounds like I need to get to know her. After Nathan’s whirlwind romance, I need to take more notice of the women my boys bring home.”
She was a woman to take notice of. A woman I couldn’t stay away from, no matter how hard I tried.
“You’ll like her, Mum.” I could never be sure of my father, but I knew my mum would like Sutton. There was no doubt about it. Sutton had a good, pure heart, worked hard and never took anything for granted. My mum would love her.
She reached up and patted my cheek. “Of course I will.”
Sutton came back in from the car, carrying a tin. “It’s probably not nearly as nice as anything you could make.” She handed it to my mother. “I should have just bought something but I had some free time last night and I fancied baking.”