Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Time for a drink…” I mutter to myself as I put out my cigarette.
Maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow and all of this will be a bad dream.
The brochure is still beside my bed where I left it when I wake up. It wasn’t a dream. Neither is my hangover. Thank God I don’t have to go to work today. I start my coffee, brush my teeth, shower, and by the time I finish my first cup of coffee, I feel like I’m starting to recover from my evening.
Just when I think I might have a peaceful morning, there is a knock at my door, and I look through the window to see my father standing outside.
“Good morning, Dad…” I open the door and take a step back. “Come on in.”
“Hope you’re hungry.” He holds up a bag. “I brought breakfast.”
“Why do I feel like this is a bribe?” I walk over and pour him a cup of coffee as he puts our breakfast on the table.
“Not a bribe. I just wanted to have breakfast with my son.” He chuckles under his breath.
“Yeah?” I hand him a cup of coffee. “How did I win the lottery? There’s six of us. There must be a reason you decided to spend your morning with me.”
“It’s not the first time I’ve brought you breakfast, Nate.” He sits down at the table.
“I know.” I narrow my eyes. “But it’s the first time you’ve brought me breakfast after Mom decided to arrange six weddings.”
“I’ll admit, I thought it was a little crazy when I heard it too.” He nods. “I wanted all of you to live your own lives and spend your money however you pleased.”
“I have no problem buying the town.” I shrug. “I told you that at dinner. I’m in Snow Valley for the long haul. It’s the other part I’m not so sure of.”
“Your Mail-Order Bride is coming whether you’re ready for her or not.” He takes a bite of his food. “Surely you’re not going to leave the poor girl standing on your front porch when she shows up?”
“I just might…” I laugh it off, but I’m somewhat serious.
The conversation continues. My father has good intentions. I get it. My mother does too. She has six grown sons, and none of us are married. She wants us to find the kind of happiness she has with our dad. Saving Snow Valley just lines up perfectly with everything else that she’s wanted for her family.
Dad drops the mail-order bride business after working me over all that he can. Once he’s gone, I pick up the brochure again and flip through it for what feels like the millionth time. At this rate, I’m going to wear out the pages before my bride ever shows up on my doorstep.
I still don’t know if I’m going to let her in or send her packing.
Chapter Two
Catriona
“Order up, Catriona.” A bell brings me out of my daze. “Table six.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Smith.” I nod to my boss and grab the tray filled with three orders of burgers and fries.
Table six. They’ve been nothing but jerks since they walked through the door. Three guys from the local university. Arrogant and condescending. It’s just my luck that they got put in my section.
I take the tray to their table and begin putting the burgers down.
“Okay, one medium-cooked cheeseburger with pickles and mayo.” I put it down in front of the guy who ordered it.
“Wait…” The guy beside him gives me a perplexed stare. “I ordered that one.”
“Oh? You did?” I blink a couple of times and move the plate over to him. “I’m so sorry.”
“No wonder you’re waiting tables.” The first guy shakes his head. “Too bad you can’t even get that right…”
“My apologies.” I ignore his comment and try to keep a smile on my face. “Well, if that wasn’t your burger, then I assume this one is. Well done with lettuce, onions and mustard?”
“No, that’s mine.” The third guy motions to me.
“Oh wait.” The second guy shakes his head. “That one was mine, shit I already took a bite of this one. We’re going to need another burger.”
“What?” I look at him in confusion.
“You said pickles, I thought that I ordered pickles, but I didn’t. That was Jay.” He pushes the burger he’s taken a bite out of in front of the first guy.
“Yep, the pickles were mine.” Jay nods. “I’m not eating it after he’s taken a bite out of it."
"Of course." I move the plate back to my tray.
They’re fucking with me. I can see them trying not to laugh. I had their orders right the first time, but they just want to make my life miserable. Why? I’m a waitress barely making minimum wage at a café.
“I should probably just speak to your manager.” The second guy nods. “Can you get him for me? This meal should be free since you fucked it up.”