Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“I couldn’t ever talk to you about us because your mom and aunt wouldn’t let me through the door. I didn’t agree to not see you anymore. You were my best friend. I didn’t plan to lose you over Genevieve and Pedro.”
“Do you mean Jennifer and Pete?” Essie asked, struggling to follow him. Did he just mix up their names to show her how little they mattered to him?
“Yes. Them. That’s why I sent Tux to you. I didn’t want us both to be lonely.”
“Aunt Esther gave me Tux.” Essie stared hard at him in disbelief. “Why would you try to take credit for giving me a stuffie?”
“She sent him for me. I knew your mom wouldn’t let you keep him if he came from me. I visited your aunt every afternoon until she agreed.”
Essie’s mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to find something to say. He hadn’t turned his back on her. Zander had missed her as well. Knowing this rattled everything inside her like the world spun in the opposite direction. “Why didn’t you say anything when I came back?”
“You were so mad at me. I figured whatever I’d say would make everything worse. I hoped Tux would make you remember me in a positive light. Did you throw him away?” Zander looked crushed at that possibility.
“No. I love him. I sleep with him every night.” Essie rushed to reassure him and then realized what she’d revealed. “You know, like as a pillow.”
“A pillow, huh?” Zander smiled at her.
That grin did things to her inside. He was so damn handsome. Even as a kid, she’d noticed how attractive he was. Why was he still a bachelor?
“Are you two coming for lunch?” Sara asked, popping up at the end of the hallway.
“Yes. Of course. We were on our way and stopped to chat,” Essie said.
She turned and led the way into the kitchen, steeling herself not to peek over her shoulder at him. Essie’s mind whirled. He’d wanted to see her, but their mothers had interfered. A desire to rant at her mother kindled inside her. And her aunt! Not telling her Tux was from Zander. Esther had sent the stuffie to her. Had her aunt felt bad about keeping them separated?
This time, her emotions shifted as she sat across from Zander. Maybe he wasn’t the awful person who simply moved on when their families had interfered. He hadn’t trashed their friendship at the first hurdle they’d faced. She wished they were alone to talk through this.
A thought popped into her mind. Sara had to have known. Essie shot a hard look at Sara. To hell with being polite!
“Sara, why didn’t you share with me that Zander tried to contact me several times after the malt shop incident?” Essie asked.
“Essie. This wasn’t Sara’s fault. She had to protect her job.” Zander sent an incredulous glance at Essie as if shocked she’d brought the ban on their friendship up.
“Found out, did you? I told all three ladies that keeping the two of you apart was the absolute wrong thing to do,” Sara said.
“Like you can shove something into a box when it’s already free,” Edmund said, appearing in the doorway and waltzing inside like he owned the place.
“Exactly!” Essie agreed with both of them, trying not to focus too much on the hazy figure now leaning against the countertop.
“I doubt your mother will write us an apology letter, and my mother and Esther aren’t here to agree,” Zander said.
“I don’t think you need anyone’s approval now,” Sara said quietly.
Essie’s gaze zipped to meet Zander’s. Sara was right. What were they going to do? Was Zander even interested in being her friend?
“Hey. Just wanted to let you know I’m here early.”
Everyone at the table turned to stare at Ivan in the kitchen doorway. He continued talking, obviously not picking up on the charged atmosphere. “I’m going to do the last of the cleanup in the garden. The local weather gal is calling for rain tomorrow. Do you want me to put up that emergency tent you ordered? I might need some assistance.”
“It’s supposed to rain?” Essie mentally kicked herself for not checking. Of course she’d missed adding that to her get-ready-for-the-event list. Quickly, she pulled up the weather app on her phone and groaned. “It’s a seventy percent chance. Yes. Definitely, let’s set up the tent. I’ll help.”
“Me, too,” Zander volunteered.
“Oh, you don’t have to…” Essie began.
“Great! That tent takes some muscle.” Ivan jumped in, talking over her. “I’ll be glad to have your assistance too, Essie. You’ll need to make some decisions for us. I’ll get busy cleaning. When you finish lunch, come join me. I’ll put you both to work. Don’t rush. I’ve got an hour’s worth of effort before we can focus on the shelter.”
Thank goodness she’d ordered those big fans. The heat and humidity that shimmered off the garden’s hard surfaces had threatened to give Essie a headache before she’d detoured to her car for her sunglasses. Ivan and Zander had stripped off their shirts as they constructed the miles of canvas and a hundred poles into a shelter.