Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Niamh felt a grin bud at the mild aggression in Austin Steele’s tone. The undercurrent of disapproval.
Lottie’s eyes narrowed just slightly, showing she’d caught his meaning. Jessie fidgeted.
“This party is going to go all kinds of wrong,” Broken Sue said softly.
Yes, it would, and Niamh planned to help it get there.
“It’s so unfortunate that your parents couldn’t come.” Lottie wasn’t good at lying. “But I see their cooler made an appearance.”
Jessie flinched, panic rising through the Ivy House bond momentarily before she calmed herself again.
“Yes, she’s Irish,” Jessie said with a small shrug. “She does as she pleases. Let me introduce Austin’s family. This is his grandmother, Naomi…”
“Grandmother?” Lottie’s surprise was a bit too dramatic. “Gracious, you look young enough to be his mother. You must’ve started young?”
“No,” Naomi said without an ounce of warmness. “Good genetics can carry you a long way.” She paused. “If you have them.”
“Yes, and his niece, Aurora.” Jessie stepped aside to showcase the rest of their group. “And his brother, back there. Brochan—”
“Sue,” Broken Sue growled. “They call me Sue.”
Lottie’s eyebrows climbed, whatever humor she felt about his name struggling to break through the unease she felt about his intensity.
“Sue, fine,” Jessie continued, undaunted. They’d gone off the rails now. Might as well accept it. “Our family friend Patty, just back there—”
“Hello, Lottie.” Patty beamed. “Lovely home! I just adore your throwback to the eighties. Don’t change a thing, no matter what anyone says. I do love the golden oldies, and what better way to express that than with your house, right? Fantastic!”
Patty for the win.
“Right,” Jessie said, her face turning crimson and a smile threatening. “There’s Jimmy, hiding in the back with our butler, Mr. Tom.”
“Your butler?” Lottie gave Jessie a humorous though incredulous look. “Yes, Matt mentioned that when he arrived earlier. And your…butler tends to wear a cape everywhere he goes, correct?” She affected a baby-type voice. “Jimmy, come here, my little darling. Come say hello to Grandmama.”
“Is she for real?” Broken Sue murmured.
Jimmy walked through everyone, prim and proper in a suit that was a little too small in the limbs. He wore that expression kids wore when they were meeting a family member they didn’t jibe with.
“Hi, Grandma,” Jimmy said. Lottie put her hands on his shoulders and exaggeratedly air-kissed each cheek. “Merry Christmas,” he added.
“Yes. Did you have a nice day yesterday? We missed you! We’d thought you were going to spend Christmas with all of us.” She pouted. “But I guess your mom’s poor nerves come first. You’re a good boy for making the sacrifice.”
Niamh put out her hands, looking around with raised eyebrows. “It’s as if she thinks Jessie buggered off or something.”
“At least we don’t have to worry about her talking behind our backs,” Aurora said, turning to Niamh. “She’s plenty happy to do it to our faces.”
“I’m sure there’ll be both,” Broken Sue growled.
Apparently two could play that game.
“Run along into the family room—we have some presents for you to open.” Lottie smiled up at Jimmy. “I think you’re going to like them. You know how Grandmama always spoils you.”
Compared to Mr. Tom, Grandmama didn’t know what spoiling meant. That boy had gotten so much crap yesterday that Jessie had taken some of the gifts away, including a heavy gold and diamond necklace chain that some musician or other liked to show off. It had been obscene, though Niamh had to admit Jimmy’s delight in each gift had been fun to watch. She’d imagined that was the only incentive that could have made Mr. Tom knowingly risk Jessie’s annoyance.
“Is that everybody?” Lottie asked, her smile quickly dwindling. “With such a large party, I’d hate to miss anyone.”
Aurora turned back again and rolled her eyes at Niamh.
“Please, welcome,” Lottie said, stepping aside and lifting her hands. “Welcome to my home. The dining room has food and drinks…if you didn’t bring your own, and there is plenty of room to mingle. If you need something, anything at all, like some ice for your cooler, just ask one of the service people in gray.” She smiled condescendingly. “Thanks so much. Jessie, might I have a word?”
A wave of uncomfortable emotions surged through the Ivy House bond, but Jessie, thankfully, didn’t show a reaction.
“Of course.” She turned back to everyone, making sure they were all okay, before stepping away.
“What do we do now?” Aurora asked Mimi.
“You’re hungry, aren’t you?” Mimi replied. “Go eat. I’m going to get a drink and mingle, as the woman said. I want to see if the rest of them are as generous with their insults.”
Niamh finished her beer, handed it off to the kid who’d answered the door, who was still waiting there, watching them with a disbelieving expression, and stood.
“Want me to get that?” Broken Sue bent to grab the handle. “Do you really have…paw-chin? Is that what you called it?”