Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Hell kid, I don’t know yet. I’ve only just learned that she overheard the conversation so I have to figure it out, don’t I?” I shook my head, worried as hell about Bella driving angry and crying. “Who’s staying with you?”
“Grandma.” He smiled. “Oh haven’t you heard? The custody battle is over and it’s just me and Bella now. For good.”
“Yeah? That’s great! Good for you Ev.”
He nodded like it was no big deal but the smile on his face told me otherwise. “Yeah it’s pretty good news and I don’t have to see them ever if I don’t want to. Grandma wants to throw another party to celebrate.”
“Tell Angelea to call me if she needs any help with the party. In the meantime I have a stubborn farmer to track down.” I pulled out my ever-present phone and tapped Bella’s number.
“Hey this is Bella,” the message began and I ended the call and dialed again. “Hey this is Bella and I’m away from my phone.”
“Dammit.” Of course she won’t pick up, probably not for the entire weekend, if ever.
“Want me to try calling her?”
“Thanks, but I don’t think you should be in the middle of this. It’s between me and your aunt.”
Everest smirked. “Fair enough. Good luck.” He took a step back and closed the door with a gentle click.
Luck. I would need a hell of a lot more than luck to get Bella to listen to me, and twice as much of that magic to get her to forgive me for something I didn’t even do.
But she was worth it.
More than she knew.
Chapter 29
Bella
“Thank you for choosing York Farms. Enjoy your bounty.” I smiled and handed the old couple a big box of produce. They wiped me out, the last of my produce and it was barely past noon on Sunday. The weekend had been busy which was just the distraction I needed from any and all thoughts of Derek Gregory.
“Thank you, dear. Enjoy your weekend.” They shuffled off together, slowly as they carried the box together. A real partnership. A team. It was sweet and admirable.
It’s a pipedream. I took my time packing up the booth and making sure it was as spotless as it was when I set it up early yesterday morning. Three markets in three different towns and my pockets were as heavy as my heart.
“You’re Bella York, aren’t you?”
“I am,” I answered without looking up. “Sorry I’m all out of product though. Try next weekend in Carson Creek or come on up to my farm.”
The female voice didn’t respond. “The same Bella York dating Derek Gregory?”
I sighed and turned towards the woman with a cheeky smile and an overeager quality that I found annoying as hell, but was perfectly representative of every journalist I ever met or saw on television.. “And just how is that any of your business?”
“Samantha Brown. Country Gossip Online.” She struck out a hand and stared at it before I slid my gaze back up to her. “So is there trouble in paradise? Are you and Derek over?”
I turned back to my cartons, now empty, and ignored the woman and her incessant questions. I shouldn’t have been surprised that Derek and his team had already leaked the break up, but it hurt dammit. It shouldn’t, I told myself. It shouldn’t hurt at all because Derek never promised me anything. Our relationship was only ever meant to be fake. Sure, at times it felt real but it never was. Not ever. It was a fake relationship, a means to an end for us both and it worked beautifully.
He was now beloved again by every woman on the planet from age eighteen to ninety-nine, and I had Everest. We were square.
The plan had been perfect and I should be grateful, not sullen or melancholy or pissed off. Just grateful that it had worked.
“So anyway,” Samantha droned on and followed me to my truck. “Is there any truth to the rumors that you two have ended your relationship?”
I sighed and hopped up into my truck before I turned to the annoying woman and rolled my eyes. “No comment.” I pulled my door to close it and the damn woman reached for it with no care for her precious fingers.
“Did you know Vicki Jessop arrived in town late last night?”
The beautiful musician with the golden voice. They were supposed to work together so it wasn’t too hard to believe. “Do you value your fingers Ms. Brown?”
She yanked her fingers back quickly, green eyes wide with a mix of shock and fear. “Did you know?”
“Are you deaf?” I tugged on the door and she gripped it tighter. “Have it your way,” I told her and yanked on the door as hard as I could.
“She’s fresh off a break up with Kenny Lou Wilkins.”
I gave the door one final yank and proving that she wasn’t a complete idiot, Samantha Brown moved her hand at the very last minute. I started the engine and reversed out of the spot, leaving Samantha and her stupid questions behind.