Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
George took a deep breath and he wanted to remove Malcolm from his home. “She’s amazing.”
“What?” Malcolm asked.
“Yes, your sister is an incredible housekeeper. I’ve got no complaints and if you’re here to take her from me, then I’m going to say no.”
Malcolm smiled. “That is awesome news. I knew she worked hard. I never had any complaints from the HR department. She just kind of irritated Dad, and my uncle, and a few other people.”
George wasn’t interested in hearing what she did, unless Anna-Beth wanted to tell him. He knew how the business world worked, and what irritated her parents he had a feeling was justified in their minds. He also didn’t want to get in the way of family.
He needed Malcolm to leave, so that he could come up with his own plan of seducing Anna-Beth. That’s what he had decided to do. He couldn’t get her out of his mind, and being near her was making him want things he didn’t even realize he wanted, but he did—with her.
“I love catching up and stuff, but if you want to see your sister, then I need to get back to work.”
“Actually, this has to do with Anna-Beth, but I want your advice,” Malcolm said.
This did make George stop. He and Malcolm were close, but they’d never talked about how to deal with his sister. This was completely new to him.
“I’m listening.”
“Dad is pissed. There’s no point in denying it. He’s not happy with how Anna-Beth has been, and he thinks the best way to keep her out of trouble is to find a man for her.”
“What?” George asked.
“Yeah, Dad intends to find a suitable husband for her to marry. I was hoping you could help us out and start talking to Anna-Beth about settling down.”
“You’re not going to ask for her input?” George asked.
“It’s not important. For her own safety, and you know, to keep her out of trouble.”
George sat back and couldn’t believe he was sitting opposite his friend. “You do realize what you’re saying to me?”
“I care about my sister and I want what’s best for her,” Malcolm said.
“No, you’re not saying that at all. What you’re really saying is that you want Anna-Beth to be kept busy. Marrying her off keeps her from being your problem.” George got to his feet. He’d heard enough and now, he felt like he might have even heard too much.
“Dad is not going to let this go, George. You know what he’s like.”
“I don’t want to talk to you about this,” he said.
George hated the thought of Anna-Beth being sold off to one of their associates. Another wealthy man, who would make money from the deal. Taking the annoying Knight girl and forcing her to become the wife she needs to be. George knew that was exactly what would happen. Her smile would be gone, as would her dancing and her horrible taste in music. She wouldn’t be doing yoga on the back lawn.
He could see her future now—being forced into etiquette classes, having children, endless charity galas, and her being the butt of the joke at who she used to be.
“Will you at least think about it?” Malcolm asked as they got to the front door.
Before George could respond, Anna-Beth came around the corner, carrying a basket of laundry. So, she did the laundry as well, which explained how his clothes were done and no bill was presented to him. George had never seen her doing it, but his clothes were always cleaned and neatly pressed each night when he got to his room. She also put them away in his closet.
“Malcolm, I had no idea you were here,” Anna-Beth said, pulling her earbuds out of her ears and moving toward her brother. She put the laundry basket down, and then went to her brother to hug him.
“I, uh, yeah, it was just a quick trip to come and see George. You know, talking about a hunting trip.”
Anna-Beth pulled away and frowned. “Hunting trip? You guys never went hunting.”
George was not going to help his friend out of this one. He was still pretty pissed at him for what he was asking him to do.
“There is always a first time for everything,” Malcolm said.
“True. Do you want to stay a while?” she asked.
“Nah, I’ve got to head back to work.” Malcolm kissed her head. “I’ll see you soon, kiddo.”
****
Something was going on.
Ever since Malcolm had left just before lunch, George had locked himself away in his office. He’d taken his lunch in there alone, as well as his dinner. He was avoiding her.
Anna-Beth lay in bed and stared up at her ceiling, trying to figure out what it could be. She didn’t know what was going on between her brother and George. Her ceiling wasn’t giving her the answers, and tossing and turning all night wasn’t going to help.