Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
We sailed along a coastal road, the sky beginning to darken, and I stared out at the glittering water and sandy shore. Already, I couldn’t wait to go for long walks on the strand. The houses were so different from back home, the village streets lined with small cottages and cute little storefronts. I visualised myself strolling by on the long summer evenings, hanging out with Nuala and possibly flirting with some local Irish boys.
A fizzle of excitement filled my belly.
When we reached Nuala’s street, I noticed every house was huge. They were all different, though. One house was a period mansion, and the next was an ultra-modern build.
Nuala’s house fell into the latter category. It was two-storied with a long driveway, high walls surrounding the front of the property, a sleek iron gate, and large windows that went from floor to ceiling. Another SUV was parked out front, as well as a smaller sports car.
“My dad’s probably still at work, but Mam should be home. Oh, and my brothers will be around somewhere, too. You’re going to be shocked when you see how much they’ve changed. Derek is even taller than Dad now.”
I nodded and grabbed my backpack before following her from the car. I went to get my suitcase, too, but Stephen waved me away, saying he’d bring it inside for me. Nuala grabbed my hand and led me into the house. The front door was huge, with glass windows on either side. We stepped into a spacious, elegant entryway, and I was absorbed in taking it all in. I knew the Balfes were rich, but I hadn’t been expecting this. It was like walking into a house you’d see in an interior design magazine.
“Come on,” Nuala said. “I’ll give you a quick tour.”
I let her lead me into a huge living room filled with family photos and soft, cosy furnishings. One photo caught my attention. It showed Nuala and her two brothers, and she was right when she’d mentioned how much they’d changed. They didn’t look like the boys I remembered. Now, they were practically grown men.
Next, we went into the kitchen. Again, it was spacious and modern, with a giant island and what appeared to be a door leading into a pantry. Before Nuala could continue the tour, a woman emerged from the pantry. She had blonde highlighted hair and wore cream khakis paired with a flower print silk blouse. My Aunt Josephine.
“Charlotte! Look how you’ve grown. I hardly believed it when Nuala showed me the picture you sent. You’re even more gorgeous in the flesh.”
I knew she was being overly complimentary, but I didn’t correct her that I was feeling far from gorgeous. Instead, I offered a polite, “Thanks so much. And you can call me Charli.”
“Of course. We’re so happy to have you for the summer. Nuala’s been a hyper one ever since she heard you were coming.”
“Hey! Don’t let Charli know how uncool I am, Mother,” Nuala complained, and Josephine laughed.
“Thanks for inviting me, Aunt Josephine. This is my first trip overseas, so I’ve been kind of hyper about the whole thing, too.”
“It’s our pleasure, and if I’m calling you Charli, then you must call me Jo. You’re family. Come, let me show you where you’ll be staying.”
She led me upstairs, Nuala hot on our heels. I heard jovial voices coming from a room as we passed. The door was ajar, and I caught a quick glimpse of a group of guys hanging out playing pool. Was that a rec room?
“You can say hello to the boys later if you’d like. I bet you’re dying to rest and wash up first,” Aunt Jo said as she opened the door to a guest bedroom.
“Definitely,” I replied while she showed me around.
“The en suite is just through there. Make yourself at home and give a call if you need anything. Come on, Nuala. Let’s let Charli have some privacy. I’m sure she’s exhausted.”
Nuala looked disappointed to be escorted out, but she didn’t protest. That girl was too cute. I was glad she was still as friendly and outgoing as I remembered.
I sat down on the bed, taking it all in. Then I looked out the window and gasped. I had a sea view! This was amazing. I stood and went to peer out. The beach looked to be only a short walk from the house. Then I went to the other window, which looked out over the expansive rear garden. At home, Mom and me had a tiny little garden where we sometimes tried to get plants to grow and mostly failed. This garden looked like it had been designed by a professional landscaper, with neatly divided rows of flowers and perfectly trimmed grass, punctuated by a large, deep red Japanese Maple and several smaller trees of varying shades.