Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Smooth one, Henry. It’s an olive branch for Mama, having the reverend there, a way to get something she wants. Maybe it’ll help sway her.
“Celeste and I have always wanted to see that part of the country,” Reverend Enderbey admits.
“Then here’s your chance. Your transportation and accommodations will be covered, of course.”
“How do you say no to that, James?” my father murmurs. It’s so rare that I hear anyone use Reverend Enderbey’s first name. It’s a reminder that, beyond the church and my relationship with Jed, our families have been good friends and neighbors for decades.
“I don’t think he can, so that settles it. We’d be pleased to have you officiate.” Henry reaches for my hand, squeezing it.
The reverend nods, more to himself. “I would be honored to be a part of your day, so thank you.”
“Can I get in on that plane too?” Jed, who’s been unusually quiet this whole time, asks around a mouthful of lasagna.
CHAPTER 6
It’s midnight by the time we walk through the front doors of Wolf Tower. The horde of paparazzi have found someone else to harass, making for a quiet entry into the building. Still, I scan the lobby seating area that serves hotel patrons, bracing myself against the chance I’ll discover a long lens pointed at me.
“Good evening.” Sullivan swipes the key card for our private elevator.
“No, it was terrible,” I lament.
The giant security guard winces.
“Oh. You weren’t actually asking.”
Henry places a hand on the small of my back and guides me into the open elevator. “Good night, Sullivan.”
“Good night, sir. Good night, Ms. Mitchell.” The guard’s sympathetic smile disappears behind the shuttered doors.
I flop against the wall. I can’t wait to crawl into bed. “What am I going to do if she doesn’t come around?” Our little dinner celebration fizzled quickly, with the Enderbeys and Laura returning home, and Henry and my father venturing into the living room with snifters of cognac while I helped Aunt May clean up in the kitchen.
Mama ambled through the door as we were finishing up and announced in a quiet, worn voice that she was betrayed, broken-hearted, and going to bed. She wouldn’t even acknowledge me.
“She could win an Academy Award for her portrayal of the victim,” Aunt May had whispered then, rolling her eyes and patting my arm with comfort. “Ignore it.”
But ignoring Mama’s antics is easier said than done.
“She’ll come around,” Henry promises as our elevator flies to the very top of the building. We couldn’t stop at any of the other floors if we wanted to. This is our dedicated elevator.
“You don’t know Mama. ‘Hell hath no fury like Bernadette scorned.’”
“I know she cares about keeping up appearances. How will it look to her congregation if everyone, including the reverend and Jed, has accepted this marriage and she refuses to? After she’s been running around, planning the entire thing for you?”
“She’ll look petty,” I agree. She’d be the butt of all the church gossip. They’d see it for what it was—Mama trying to get her way. People know what she’s truly like, even if she hides it behind smiles and sweet words. “That was smart of you to ask him to come to Alaska.”
“I’ve handled my share of difficult people in the past. I know how to get my way.”
I don’t doubt that for a second. Henry has had me agreeing to things I never thought I would. “You know, if she does come, she’ll be a pain in the ass the entire time at Wolf Cove.”
“That’s fine. I’ll make Belinda deal with her.”
Picturing Wolf Cove’s previous manager in her tight, cleavage-bearing dress, facing off against Mama—who would no doubt label Belinda a harlot at first glance—is enough to make me giggle.
“That’s better.”
The elevator doors open. Henry guides me out while I admire the pearl and diamond ring on my finger, wondering for at least the hundredth time if this engagement is a dream that I’m about to wake from.
The scent of fresh paint tickles my nostrils. It still lingers, weeks after Henry ordered a wall built for added security. No one will ever surprise us again like Scott did, he insisted when the workers showed up.
The phone to the lobby security is ringing as we step into the penthouse.
“Yes?” Henry says by way of greeting, then frowns. “Again? What time is it?” He checks his watch as he asks this. “No … no … send her up. Please … That’s fine.” He drops the receiver on the base.
“Send who up?” I ask warily.
“My niece is paying me another visit.” He gives me a knowing look.
“Violet?”
“Or whatever her real name is.”
“Now? How did she even know we came home?” I didn’t see her sitting in the lobby area. I would have remembered her.
His frown grows deeper. “She must have been watching the building from the outside, waiting for me to come home. Who knows how long she’s been sitting there.”