Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“Now, Bailey,” she begins, her tone serious with a touch more German gruffness than usual. “Tell me all about yourself.”
She’s not put out in the slightest, almost looking as if she enjoys being interrogated by one such as Leonie. I settle in to listen.
“Let’s see,” Bailey says after taking a small sip of her drink. “I’m a Nevada native. Both my parents live in Vegas, and I’m an only child.”
I’ve heard this all before. One of the by-products of lying in bed with a woman after making love is the tendency to talk. I’ve learned a great deal about Bailey over the last week.
Bailey doesn’t hold back anything, even telling Leonie about her marriage and divorce from Caleb. Leonie gives an “och” sound of displeasure when she hears about it, but, for the most part, she’s absorbed in every detail Bailey gives her because she knows.
She knows Bailey is special to me.
Even I have to admit I have never brought another woman to meet Leonie. As such, we’re agreed this is pretty fucking monumental, and Leonie is savoring every bit of it.
“And how grave is your mom’s situation?” Leonie asks worriedly. Bailey had just finished explaining her medical condition.
“She’s fairly stable right now,” Bailey says. “She’s dependent on oxygen, and it’s made her a bit homebound. Not that she can’t go out as long as she has her portable tank, but she doesn’t like to do that. She’s embarrassed by it.”
Leonie nods in understanding. “Proud woman, right?”
“Very,” Bailey laments.
“And your dad?” she questions.
I’ve learned that can be a sore subject with Bailey, depending on the day. Her dad has ups and downs in his zeal to be a helper within his own marriage. More often than not, he’s fine with letting Bailey do the heavy lifting.
While Bailey is always careful not to denigrate him, I know she gets frustrated. Leonie has clearly picked up on that, whether it’s her business or not—and it’s really not—she’s going to ask about it anyway. It’s part of her “vetting” process.
“Both my parents have physical limitations,” Bailey explains neutrally. “But they are different people in how they handle them.”
“Your mom is a fighter,” Leonie surmises.
Bailey nods with a smile. “You would be correct in that. She tries as hard as she can to do things for herself. My dad, though, he didn’t handle his injury very well. It took an emotional toll on him, and it’s just a bit hard for him to deal with it. He tends to take the easier path.”
Leonie considers this, nodding in understanding. “You’re a good daughter,” she surmises. “You are there for your mom to help her however you can, and it’s easier for your dad to just let you do it.”
A soft smile plays at Bailey’s mouth. “That’s pretty much it.” She glances from me to Leonie. “But as I told Declan, my parents have done so much for me. Sacrificed a lot to give me a secure life and pay for my college. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them, and I don’t begrudge them a single moment of my time.”
Leonie beams at Bailey, then her eyes come to mine. They’re filled with adoration. “Just like my Declan here. He’s a good boy, always looking out for me.”
“You deserve it,” I assure her, covering her hand with my own for a quick squeeze.
Our waiter arrives, meals in hand. We dig in, the conversation continuing without lull, but the subject matter not as intense. Mostly funny stories, some from my youth, some from Bailey’s. Then Bailey gets her own moment of curiosity, and grills Leonie about her homeland.
Not known to me, Germany is at the top of Bailey’s travel bucket list. I resolve to whisk her away there soon because why wouldn’t I?
We order dessert and coffee, and we continue to talk. Bailey and Leonie carry the bulk of the conversation, but I don’t mind in the slightest. It’s nice to see my two favorite women getting along so famously.
“I have a great idea,” Leonie says as if suddenly inspired. “How about I cook Thanksgiving dinner for you two this week?”
I blink in surprise, but I immediately love the idea. Leonie and I had made tentative plans to go out for a meal somewhere, but I can see she wants to go into full-on mother mode right now.
“Actually,” Bailey says with a bit of regret to have to turn down the offer. “I was going to cook something for my parents. Maybe you and Declan can join us. Although, to be honest, their house is no bigger than mine. We’d all be eating off TV trays in the living room, but I’m game if you two are.”
Leonie laughs, once again clapping her hands in delight. “That sounds fun.”
“Or,” I offer a suggestion. “Let’s do it at my suite at the Blackwood. My kitchen is huge, and I have a dining table that comfortably seats six.”