Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“I did,” Gypsi replied with a smile that abated my concerns.
“Fawn, this is my youngest son, Trev,” Garrett said to me. “Trev, this is Fawn Parker.”
It was clear on Trev’s face that he didn’t know who I was exactly. It didn’t bother me as much as it made me feel less guilty for keeping Garrett a secret from Gypsi for so long.
“It’s nice to meet you, Trev. Where did you find Gypsi?” I asked him, curious as to if he was the reason she’d come down here. I wouldn’t blame her if she had; the boy seemed to be as charming as his father.
“Uh, yeah, well, we met last night. But”—he paused and glanced at Gypsi briefly before finishing—“we didn’t realize the connection until today. I saw her up in the mansion.”
Interesting. She hadn’t mentioned that at all. I wasn’t sure if I should be concerned or not. After all, I wanted our children to get along. It would make things much easier if they liked each other.
“Now that you’ve met, why don’t you show her around? Introduce her to people. This is their first derby. I’m sure she’d like to be around some people her own age,” Garrett told him.
Trev nodded, looking happy to do so. This would be exactly what Gypsi needed to get her to enjoy our trip.
“Her hotel suite is on the opposite side of the hall as yours. In case we get separated at the end and she needs a way back, make sure you get her there,” Garrett added.
“I’ll take care of her,” Trev assured him and flashed a grin at me too.
I studied Gypsi for a moment to see if this was okay with her. I could read her expressions easily most of the time. But right now, something was bothering her. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“There’re the Houstons. I want to introduce you to Melanie. You’ll like her,” Garrett said to me before leading me away from our kids and toward a couple that seemed to be Garrett’s age, maybe a touch younger.
The woman smiled brightly at me as we approached, and I wanted to sigh in relief. She seemed nice. Garrett had spoken highly of the Houstons and seemed so sure I’d like Melanie.
When she held out her hand to me with genuine interest and a friendly sparkle in her eyes, I relaxed and enjoyed her company, trying hard not to search out Gypsi. Garrett handed Melanie and me a fancy gold cup with a drink inside.
Melanie laughed and shook her head. “Figures you’d be able to make two of the gold cups appear like magic,” she said to him.
I was clueless as to what she was talking about.
“It’s mint julep, like the one you had last night,” Garrett told me with a wink.
“It’s just in a nicer cup,” Melanie drawled, looking pleased.
I took a sip and enjoyed the tangy taste. It was just as good without the elaborate cup, but Melanie seemed to think the cup was a big deal, so I didn’t point it out.
“Oh my,” Melanie said, looking over at the group of younger people standing closer to the track.
I saw Gypsi among them. Trev was talking and laughing with an attractive redhead. Gypsi seemed to be in conversation with a tall, nice-looking boy with brown hair.
“Is that your daughter?” she asked curiously.
“The blonde is,” I replied.
Melanie’s grin deepened. “She’s a replica,” she said, then leaned over to me. “And she’s talking to my son, Saxon. They seem to be enjoying their conversation.”
I studied them again and noticed the look in Gypsi’s eyes as she glanced at Trev, who I was going to guess was drunk or well on his way. The redhead clinging to him said something as she pawed at his chest, and Gypsi rolled her eyes, then turned back to Saxon.
Good girl, I thought. The Saxon kid looked mature and well mannered. I wasn’t so sure about Trev Hughes.
“I’m glad she’s making friends,” I said to Melanie. “I was worried about her last night. Afraid she was going to hate this trip, and I want her to appreciate and soak in this experience.”
Melanie’s smile was pleased. “I don’t think she’ll have any trouble making friends. From the look on my son’s face, he might not let her out of his sight.”
I took a drink of my mint julep and tried not to watch Gypsi. She was nineteen, and she didn’t need me hovering. It was just really hard not to.
“Oh! This is our race,” Melanie said to me. “Come on. Let’s get closer.”
Garrett seemed to anticipate this and was at my side almost instantly. “Ready to watch Moses Mile’s Rig win this race?” he asked, smiling broadly from me to Melanie.
“Yes!” I replied, happy to enjoy watching the Houstons’ horse compete.
I glanced down at Gypsi when we reached the edge of the suite to see the track up close. Saxon was near her ear, talking as she nodded her head. She took a drink from the glass in her hand and smiled at him. The redhead was clinging to Trev with a cup that looked like the ones Garrett had brought us.