Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Grandfather picked up the card and studied it. “I believe I have. You’re a sports agent?”
“It’s one of the many things I specialize in,” Mitchell said, deadpan.
Grandfather tapped the card made out of bamboo on his desk. “Are you one of those tree huggers too?”
I interrupted his attempt at a jab. “Just tell me why I’m here.”
“Fine. I’ll make you an offer to buy back the company shares your father owns. You’ll be a very rich woman.”
At the birth of his sons, my father and an uncle I’d never met had each been entrusted with fifty percent ownership of common stock in Grandfather’s company. He’d done it for tax purposes and to shelter it from being bought by anyone else. Only my father hadn’t fallen into line and had used his ownership to block some profitable plans that would have harmed the environment.
“I’ll be taking my seat on the board,” I said. Dad’s lawyer had been his proxy all these years.
“What do you know about the oil business?” Grandfather asked.
“I know what my father wanted,” I said.
“I’ll be by her side,” Mitchell said.
Grandfather was red in the face when he said, “There are other ways to get it back.”
I didn’t care for his threat. “If you plan to have me killed, you better do it before my son is born.” That stopped both men. I glanced over at Mitchell, who stood wide eyed. “And we’ll be married before he’s born. He’ll be a legitimate heir.”
Then I stomped out of the room, knowing exactly why Dad had kept his family from me.
We didn’t get in the limo. We’d ordered a driver in advance, who was waiting when we stepped out of the house. Mitchell’s questioning gaze never left mine. I wouldn’t talk until we were back on the plane.
The second time on a plane, I was so preoccupied with how I was going to explain things to Mitchell I barely paid any attention to my surroundings. After Liam was behind the closed doors of the cabin, I took Mitchell’s hand.
“I’m not pregnant. Well, I don’t know that I am.” We hadn’t used condoms, so there was always the possibility. More importantly, I’d grown up with a mother who found it important to be in tune with one’s body. I’d noticed some changes and I would bet that I was pregnant, even though it was too soon to know for sure. “I said those things to take that smug smile off his face.”
“Do you think he’ll try to kill you?”
“Truthfully?” I asked. Mitchell nodded. “No. He didn’t send hit men after Dad, and he could have gotten away with it, considering we lived off the grid. He’s more of a bully without much bite.” Mitchell took my hand and kissed my ring finger, reminding me what was there. “You should take it back.”
“Not yet. I don’t want to lose it. Keep it until we get home.”
I spent the rest of the plane ride with my head on his chest. We were both lost in our own thoughts.
When we were getting off the plane, Liam said to Mitchell, “Let me know when you want to fly back to Chicago.”
It reminded me that this fantasy of us being together in the future was a pipe dream. Mitchell hadn’t mentioned to me his plans.
It was dinnertime when we got back. Avery had already ordered pizza. I left Zoe to be with her dad as I went to my room, so heavy with emotion I almost burst. I turned around and snuck out of the house to go to the barn. Etsi had stayed, but like Mitchell, she might not stay forever. I’d left the ring on Mitchell’s nightstand.
“Sunshine.”
I turned to find Avery heading my way. When she caught up with me, she said, “I know it’s not my place, but I remember when you gave me that advice about Nate.” I did remember. She and Nate had nearly broken up over a misunderstanding that I’d caused. “I’m going to return the favor.” I waited, unsure what she was going to say. “What you and Mitchell have is real. Everyone can see it. Don’t let fear keep you from the greatest thing ever.”
“What’s that?”
“Love.”
“He’s going back to Chicago.” So much had happened. I hadn’t even talked it through with Shaina. Then again, she was seeing some mystery guy and had been busy herself.
“You don’t know that.” Avery patted my hand and then left me to think things over.
When Mitchell found me later, I straight up asked him, “Are you going back to Chicago?”
THIRTY
Mitchell
“Come with me,” I said. The mustangs were in the barn for the night. We’d left the barn doors open wide enough for them to leave if they so chose to but closed enough to help keep the barn warmer.
I’d already talked to Avery and told her my plan. She would watch over Zoe for a few hours. Then I drove to town. I pulled up to the street where Emma’s old house was. I was now a bed-and-breakfast owner.