Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
I heard chatter and the sound of others descending the stairs—the other guests staying at the Yellow Trellis Inn coming down for happy hour. “Oh! Bye, you two. Have fun,” Cricket said, coming around the corner and spotting us. I smiled at her, and when I glanced back at Betty, Clarice, and Burt, who had stopped near the bottom of the stairs, both women looked enchanted, their eyes glued. It was like we were their children and they were watching us leave for the prom. Betty whispered in Burt’s ear as though narrating our departure.
“I thought about getting you flowers,” Travis said. “But I figured a plant lady such as yourself prefers living things keep their roots.”
I smiled, charmed by his consideration and his accuracy.
When Travis opened the truck door for me, I looked over my shoulder to see Easton standing at his room window, watching us leave, looking both shifty-eyed and concerned, the fabric of the curtain gripped in his fist. Travis waved to him, shooting him that overly demonic smile he liked to use to harass Easton. A laugh rose in my throat, but I pretended not to notice.
“So I didn’t ask what this charity fundraiser is for,” I said when we’d pulled onto the main road, the lake sparkling under the lowering sun and sending glints of light into the cab of his truck.
“I think it’s for some animal habitat. The Buchanan family is always trying to save some endangered species or another.”
My heart melted. “How kind and generous.” Of course they used their—from what I’d gathered—substantial wealth to rescue animals. Gage was perfect. It only stood to reason that his family was perfect too.
Then again, I didn’t ascribe to that whole apple not falling far from the tree philosophy. If I did, I’d feel pretty hopeless about my own future prospects. And Easton’s too for that matter.
Travis was tapping his hand on the steering wheel distractedly. Finally, he sighed. “You’re right about the Buchanans,” he said almost begrudgingly. “They are generous. They are kind. Gage himself runs several foundations. He even chairs some kind of rescue habitat for possums.”
I laughed and he shot me an amused look. “Possums?”
“I know. Not exactly the sexiest animal, right? It’s probably why he doesn’t talk a lot about it. But he’s got a thing for them, I guess. Kinda weird, if you ask me.”
“I’m sorta weird too,” I breathed. This was fate.
“The whole plant thing?”
“Exactly. We’re perfect for each other.” I bit at my lip for a moment and then pulled my phone from my small evening bag.
“Tell me you’re not googling possums,” Travis said dryly.
“The more I have to work with, the better,” I said, my eyes scanning the information on the website I’d pulled up.
The house was even grander than I’d pictured, a shining white castle on a hill. A fountain splashed and bubbled in the middle of a circular driveway, and lights shimmered and glistened from every corner of the property. It felt magical. An alternate universe. An alternate life, certainly from the one I was currently living, but even more so from the way I’d grown up.
A valet service greeted us, opening my door, the valet offering his hand. As I stepped down, I blinked in wonder.
You’ve aimed far too high, Haven, I told myself. Gage was handsome, kind, perfect. And yes, I’d known he was wealthy, but I hadn’t imagined this level of wealth.
You’re not looking to rope the guy into marrying you.
Surely even Gage Buchanan didn’t have anything against a summer fling with a girl just passing through town.
He was a guy, after all. He probably preferred flings above all else.
“Does Gage live here?” I asked. With his parents?
“No, Gage lives in his own house nearby. But the Buchanans host all their events here.” Travis led me into the house, and my neck craned as I glanced around at all the opulence. “Nice setup, huh?” Travis asked, leaning in toward me. “What do you think?”
“I think the entirety of the apartment I grew up in could fit in this foyer,” I murmured, distracted by the jaw-dropping size of everything.
When I looked at Travis, he was watching me closely. I fidgeted with my bag and let out a laugh that felt false even to my own ears.
“What do you think of this place?” I asked. “Not overly impressed?”
Travis shrugged, glancing around. “Oh, it’s impressive. But I have the feeling a small-town chief of police’s salary wouldn’t cover the rent.” His lip hitched, but there was something in his eyes that contrasted his wry smile.
We wandered through a few of the wide-open rooms. The furniture had obviously been moved to accommodate the guests, with high-top tables covered in white linen placed around the perimeter, where drinks could be set as people gathered and conversed.
The auction items were set up in a room near the back of the house, the windows thrown open to the patio and gardens beyond. A band played in the corner, something crooning and jazzy, or so I thought. Admittedly, I didn’t know a lot about music. Books were more my thing.