Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Warmth grows in my stomach.
“Dad,” Nathan and Zach groan.
“They’re not our prisoners,” Zach says. “Madison and Ellie aren’t with us by accident, ready to fall under Vincent’s spell if he so much as looks at them.”
“Weeeell,” Madison says. “He’s very good looking. And rich as holy hell.”
Zach, Beau, and I laugh. Nathan’s the richest man I know and also one of the most handsome. Just slightly less so than Zach.
Nathan rolls his eyes, and as he passes Madison, she pulls him toward her and kisses his cheek. “But you’re stuck with me at least until this kid hits eighteen. No way I’m doing it on my own.”
I set the tin of brownies down on the side by the kettle and Carole grabs my arm. “Thank you, Ellie. It’s very sweet of you to bake for us. Zach says your brownies are the best he’s ever eaten.”
She’s so warm—the entire family is so warm—it’s a wonder Zach ever thought any of them might be unhappy with him for not wanting to be a doctor.
“You okay?” Zach whispers in my ear as he comes up behind me and snakes his arms around my waist.
How could I be anything but okay? Despite my indifference about getting married, it turns out I quite like some of the perks, especially the ring I’m sporting. We’re both facing away from the room, so I place my hand over Zach’s and we both look at it.
“Have you got something you want to tell us?” Carole asks us. I snap my head up and she’s looking at us and then nods toward my finger.
“We’re getting married,” I say, breaking into a grin and wiggling my hand in her direction.
Madison squeals and I’m pulled into a hug by her and the baby, as Zach hugs Carole.
“I knew it,” Beau says. “Totally called it. As soon as you brought her home, I knew it.”
John thwacks Beau with a tea towel. “We all saw it, Beau. We’re not blind.”
Everyone hugs us and takes a peek at the ring.
“Hey, everyone.” The commotion silences for a second as we all look up to see American-accented Vincent standing in the doorway, ducking so he doesn’t hit his head.
“What’s happening? Is Madison in labor?”
“Zach and Ellie are engaged, and I called it,” Beau says.
“Mazel,” Vincent says. “Take the house in Rum as my engagement present.”
I laugh. He can’t be serious.
“What are you doing here?” Nathan asks.
“Business,” he replies. “And to spend some time with my British family.”
“It was your idea to have five kids,” John says to Carole. “It will be nice to have a big family, you said. All I get from a big family is a small portion of apple pie and a headache. And now apparently we’ve adopted another one. Like five isn’t enough.”
Carole rolls her eyes but ignores her husband.
“Did I tell you I bought a vineyard?” Vincent says, ignoring John’s complaints like he didn’t hear them. “In Argentina. Turns out a great Malbec.” He holds up two bottles.
“Vincent,” John says, his tone serious as he steps forward to inspect the wine. “This is my favorite wine. Young man, all is forgiven. You’re definitely my favorite son from now on. Get that bloody bottle open and pour me a glass.” He spins around and points his finger. “None of you lot touch it. Two bottles won’t go very far.”
“Good job I have a vineyard,” Vincent says. “There’s a case in the hallway and a hundred and forty-four bottles will arrive tomorrow by courier. We’re not going to run out.”
Carole shrieks as John thwacks her on the bottom with a tea towel. “Did you hear that, my love?” he says. “A hundred and forty-four bottles.”