Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I’m thinking that wouldn’t look good.
“Why don’t you just eat what you want? If you’re worried about seed oils, just don’t take those.”
“Maybe they cook everything in beef tallow,” he says. “I mean, this is a beef ranch, right? I’m sure they have a ton of it.”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
As beautiful as Stephen is on the outside, he’s beginning to bore me.
“Let’s find a place to sit down so we can eat our appetizers,” I say.
“Sure. Lead the way.”
Several cocktail tables are set up. I steer clear of the big tables where we’ll sit for dinner.
I go to one of the cocktail tables where Maddie and a woman I don’t recognize are sitting.
“Hi, Maddie,” I say.
“Hi, Tabitha. And Stephen. It’s great to see you.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Maddie. We met today at the salon.”
Stephen smiles. “Right, you booked an appointment for next week.”
“You won’t be disappointed,” I say. “He really worked the kinks out of my back.”
“This woman was really tense,” Stephen offers.
I nod to the other woman at the table.
“I’m so sorry,” Maddie says. “This is my sister Rory. She’s part of the band. She’s married to Dave’s cousin Brock.”
Rory Steel is gorgeous. Maddie wasn’t lying when she said her oldest sister was considered the most beautiful woman in Snow Creek. As gorgeous as Angie and Sage are, Rory is actually more beautiful. And very pregnant.
“Rory, this is Tabitha Haynes. She’s Angie’s friend from medical school and another bridesmaid.”
“It’s great to meet you,” Rory says.
“You too. This is Stephen Webster.”
Stephen hasn’t taken his eyes off Rory.
Did he not hear Maddie say she was married? And it’s pretty clear from her belly that her husband has definitely staked his claim.
Then again, I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes off her myself.
She has silky dark hair, gorgeous brown eyes, full red lips, and a perfect oval face with high cheekbones.
“You’re just glowing,” I can’t help saying. “When are you due?”
She laughs. “You’re too kind, but I think it’s sweat from carrying this little bugger around. I’m due next month. August fifteenth.”
“Do you know the sex?” I ask.
She beams and pats her belly. “It’s a boy. Say hello to Little Joe. We’re naming him after Brock’s and my dads, Jonah Francis.” She smiles. “He’s got a foot jabbed into my ribs at the moment.”
I smile. Who can’t smile when you’re talking about babies? “So you’re part of the band?”
“Yeah, my brother, Jesse, and I share lead vocals.”
“Jesse’s married to Brianna,” Maddie says.
“Wow, it’s getting hard to keep everyone straight,” I say.
“All of us Pikes married members of the Steel family,” Maddie says.
“Yeah, our other sister Callie is married to Donny Steel. He belongs to Talon and Jade.”
“I’m going to need a diagram,” I say, laughing.
“You know,” Stephen says to Rory, “as a singer, it’s very important that you keep your muscles relaxed, especially in your condition. Prenatal massage is very important too. You should come see me at the salon.”
Rory flashes him an amazing smile. “I just might do that.”
A shadow falls over the table.
My heart lurches.
Both in a good way and a bad way.
Henry.
I don’t know how, but I feel it.
“Hi, Henry,” Maddie says, smiling.
“Hi, how are you all doing this evening?” He nudges his way between Stephen and me.
“Have you met Stephen?” Maddie asks.
Henry turns to Stephen. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Henry Simpson, Angie’s brother.”
“Stephen Webster. Nice to meet you.”
“And what brings you here this evening?” Henry asks.
“Tabitha invited me.”
Henry turns to me, the slightest tension in his jaw. “Did you?”
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “He gave me a massage this afternoon, and I mentioned where I was going this evening. Angie said I could bring a date if I wanted.”
He blinks a few times. “I see.”
“It’s been great meeting you, Stephen,” Rory says. “But I need to go help with the sound check. My brother is waving to me from the stage.”
He flashes her another smile. “I can’t wait to hear you perform. I’ve heard great things about the band.”
Henry looks at me. “May I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure,” I say. “Go ahead.”
“In private. It’s about tomorrow.”
“Angie didn’t say anything about—”
“She asked me to talk to you.” He nods to Stephen. “I’ll have your date back quickly.”
“No worries,” Stephen says, flashing me another brilliant smile.
“Henry…”
“It’ll just be a minute.” Henry takes my arm, a little more harshly than he should, and leads me toward the deck.
A moment later, we’re inside the house, down the hallway, near my guest room.
“What’s this about?” I demand.
“Why exactly did you invite a date?”
I shrug demurely. “Because he’s a nice guy. I didn’t really want to be the only one without someone here.”
“Sage and Gina don’t have dates,” he says. “I don’t have a date.”
“So? I like him.”
“And you’ve known him for about what? Two minutes?”