Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Beth nodded. “Trev met him once and said he wouldn’t do any business with him. He talked Jamie out of a couple of ventures Kingman offered us. I don’t think any of our business partners chose to work with him.”
The Circle G was a part of a ranching cooperative with a couple of ranches in Texas. They used organic principles and worked on the idea of quality over quantity. The Barnes-Fleetwood Collective had become a major source of beef for upscale restaurants and hotels.
She was so curious. Kingman was a flamboyant figure, though he likely wouldn’t appreciate the title. He was known for doing things up big, and he often admitted to playing around in politics if it helped his business. “Why? Was there something shady about him?”
“Not on the surface, but Trev has a bit of an instinct for people who hide their darkness well. Not that I think Kingman’s trying. He doesn’t mind admitting to screwing people over, though he says it makes him the smarter businessman,” Beth continued. “Bo would have fallen for it immediately because my man only sees the best in people, but that’s why Trev’s the Dom and we are his happy, well-loved and protected subs. Bay and Shane had done some seasonal work here before and they’d been reliable, so when Stef asked if there were positions, we made a couple. I worried they wouldn’t stay after the beginning of the year, but they’ve seemed intent on hanging around. I’m hoping this relationship with Brooke seals the deal.”
Brooke shrugged. “Well, it’s not like I have anything better to do. Maybe I should chuck it all, move back to Bliss, open a daycare, and live out my life here.”
“Okay, I know that sounds bad right now…” Rachel began.
Beth snorted and took the coffee Brooke offered her. “She is not going to do that, but you and I need to sit down and find a solution to our childcare problems. School only lasts nine months out of the year. We still need breaks in the summer. I say we call a meeting. No one’s shot a son of a bitch recently.”
Ah, the women’s meeting. It usually involved tea and cakes and discussions of what to do the next time an outlaw MC came to town or a serial killer or the mafia. It often also was about the women of the town figuring out how to help when problems arose. “We’re going to have more and more kids in the next couple of years. River told me she and Jax are trying. Nell and Rachel and Hope are about to add to the baby boom.”
“Laura and Rafe and Cam are looking to adopt again,” Rachel added. “And I truly believe Stef is going to come around. I talked to Seth at Stella’s last night and with Logan finishing up his doctorate, they want to come out more, and Georgia is merely waiting until her body heals before trying again.”
She’d heard all about Georgia’s plans on the plane trip. “She wants like six kids. Logan goes a little pale when she talks about it. Seth wants to compromise on three at most. But my point is the only reason we haven’t had big kids’ group activities available right here in Bliss was because there weren’t many kids. And Mel’s alien camp does not count.”
“But now we’re going to have enough for it to be good business to offer summer programs,” Rachel mused.
Beth took a long sip of coffee and glanced down at her watch. “I have to get going. Hale is picking me up. We’re meeting with Jesse and Cade about adding on a room to their cabin. But it’s a surprise, so don’t tell Gemma. They’ve saved up and they’re basically going to make their old bedroom their office and Hale and I are putting in a new primary bedroom and a bath to die for. With extra closet space. It’s going to make me want to renovate.”
If there was one thing she knew about Beth McNamara-O’Malley, it was this. “Everything makes you want to renovate.”
“That sounds like fun,” Rachel said with a watery smile.
Beth looked thoughtful for a moment. “Why don’t you come with us? I’m considering all the options and I’m going to be honest, I’m worried I’ll have to hold their hands and talk them out of some things. Jesse and Cade have spent a lot of time in mechanic shops. Their tastes tend to be limited.”
“Oh, they have to get that right. Gemma has very specific tastes,” Rachel agreed. “Jesse thinks putting gold on everything makes it designer. It could be fun if you don’t mind. Want to come along, Brooke? You have the best taste here.”
She was sure Beth and Rachel could handle it, and it would be good for Rachel to get out. But she had things to do. “I need to get to town. I need to get dressed and call a Fuber. Unless they’re in school, but I think they finished up early. I’ll check the app.”