Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
I nodded, unable to speak. Behind me, Ronan moved closer. “Dad—”
I shook my head. “It’s fine. Why are you asking me, Mr.—I mean, Aiden?”
“I’m not sure if Ronan told you, but I’ve studied therapy all my life. I believe in the benefits of exercise and massage. Acupuncture.”
Gracie leaned over Aiden’s shoulder. “He helped my dad walk again.”
At my quizzical glance, she explained. “When I was little, Dad was in a bad accident. He was paralyzed for a time. Aiden worked with him. He says, without Aiden, he never would have gotten out of that wheelchair.”
Aiden smiled. “I helped him find his drive and belief that he could walk again. Without that, he wasn’t ever getting out of that chair. Mad Dog and I played good cop, bad cop.” He leaned forward. “I’d like to meet Evan. Would you allow me to look at his records? Ronan says you keep a very detailed file on him.”
“I don’t want—”
He waved aside my words. “Don’t even finish that sentence. You’re part of my son’s life—therefore, you are part of mine. There might be nothing I can do. There may be something. I can try, though. Ronan said he thought he’d seen a difference with the exercises he was doing that I suggested.”
“I saw it too before…” I trailed off, unsure how to finish.
Aiden bent close. “I was an ass with Cami too. Even more so than my son here. She forgave me a lot, and I will forever be grateful for her open heart. You remind me of her.” He smiled, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “That is one of the highest compliments I can give a person, Beth. I’m glad you’re with us today.” He squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”
Ronan cleared his throat, and Aiden sat back, picking up his coffee cup.
“We should go,” Ronan said. “You ladies have your book club, and I need to get Beth back to Toronto.”
“Book club?” I asked.
Gracie grinned. “Do you like to read?”
“I love it. I don’t have much time anymore, but I love getting lost in a book.”
“We have a book club, and we meet once a month—the second Sunday—and discuss. The men disappear because they can’t handle it.”
I laughed.
Addi came over and sat down. “You should join us. Do you like historical romance?”
“My favorite genre.”
“We’re reading Scarlet Scott. Still.” She laughed. “We’re all so busy, we can only do a book a month. We tried a couple other authors, but she is our favorite so far. Gracie introduced us to her.”
“Oh, mine too. And Paige, my roommate. We trade and reread her all the time.”
“Then it’s settled. You both have to join us.”
I hedged a little. “I’ll ask her.”
Cami leaned over the back of her chair. “Next Sunday is family brunch. We’d love it if you joined us.”
“Oh, um, Sundays, I usually spend with Evan, Paige, and Lucy. I don’t think—”
She didn’t let me finish. “They are, of course, included. Make sure the kids bring their suits. You and Paige too if you want. You can swim in the pool here. The one outside is still too cold.”
I glanced at Ronan, who looked at me, nodding eagerly. Now he’d introduced me, it seemed it was full steam ahead. Even more fascinating was the fact that Liam looked as interested in my response as Ronan did. I had a feeling Paige would like that little tidbit of information.
“I’ll pick you up,” Ronan assured me.
“I have a car seat in the truck,” Liam offered unexpectedly. “I could bring Paige and Lucy. I’ll be in town Sunday morning.”
I looked at him, confused and wondering why he had a car seat. He laughed. “It’s built in to the truck,” he explained. “One of the features I never needed until now.”
“Then I’ll bring Beth and Evan. You can talk to the ladies about the book club, and Dad and Evan can chat,” Ronan confirmed.
“It’s settled, then,” Liam said, sounding satisfied.
“Yep,” Ronan agreed.
I guessed it was.
* * *
We left, and I was hugged and kissed, exclaimed over and hugged again. Ronan steered the golf cart away but didn’t head in the direction of his house. Instead, he took me on a tour of the grounds, pointing out everyone’s house and explaining more of the dynamics of the family.
“We all have our own lives, but we come together here.”
“You have such a large family. Won’t you run out of room?”
He laughed. “Mine is the last generation to get a house. It’s up to us to decide if we leave the house to our kids or turn it back to the company. This property will stay within the family until such time as they decide to sell it all. It can’t be broken up. We have a trust that oversees it and a very strict set of guidelines that exist to protect everyone.”