Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Don’t be a coward. If she gets bitchy, you can leave. You’re not stuck here.
Unlike when I had to do press conferences for my mother and had to listen to all kinds of bullshit with no way to escape.
With a deep breath, I climb the steps to the front door and knock.
“Come in!”
Shit, did she really mean that?
“Really, come in! My hands are dirty.”
Okay then.
I push the door open, and to my surprise, Willow is smiling at me in welcome. There’s still hesitancy in her eyes, but she’s not openly scowling or hostile.
Improvements.
“Hey,” I say, feeling awkward. “I wanted to return these to you.”
“Oh, come on back. I’m making sourdough in the kitchen.” She wiggles her fingers, which are currently caked in what looks like white dough. “It’s a huge mess, I’m not good at it, and whoever claimed that it’s easy is a big, fat liar.”
I smirk as I follow her into the state-of-the-art kitchen and set the bags of books on stools by the island and start to unload them.
“What did you think of that Mafia series?” she asks, gesturing to the three books in my hand.
“I loved it. Book two was my favorite, but the whole series was great. I want to check out more by this author.”
“The second book was my favorite too. I enjoyed recording that one.”
I blink at her, and Willow grins.
“I’m an audiobook narrator. That’s what I do for a living. I’ll show you my booth upstairs sometime.”
“Holy shit, that’s very cool.”
“I’m not saving the world or anything.”
I snort out a laugh and shake my head. “Neither am I. But you’re telling stories, and that’s important.”
Willow’s cheeks flush pink, and she sighs, pausing in kneading the dough.
“The boys were right, you know. I do owe you an apology. I never should have come on as strong as I did when you got here, and I regret it so much, Lena. Especially because I don’t know anything about you, and my opinions were all based on assumptions.”
“You love him. I understand that.”
“He’s my brother. Maybe closer than that, because I remember what my life was like without those two men in it, so I appreciate them even more because of it. I was always worried about him when he was working with you. Every day. So when he got hurt, it sent me over the edge.”
Nodding, I lean on the counter and watch as Willow gets her dough into bread pans and then slips them into the oven before washing her hands.
“I’m glad that Gideon has a family that loves him so much. Not all of us do.”
She lifts a brow, but before she can ask questions, I pass her the wrapped package.
“As a thank-you for loaning me the books. And, maybe, a peace offering.”
Her lips twitch as she accepts the gift, and once she’s unwrapped it, Willow gasps and covers her mouth, tears instantly filling her eyes.
I don’t always sketch people, but I thought this would mean more to her than a piece of the mountains.
“My guys,” she whispers as her eyes roam over the framed page. “All three of them. How—”
“Gideon has a lot of photos in his office. I studied them. And of course I’ve met Ryker and Aiden a couple of times.”
Willow nods, and then she’s rounding the island and pulling me in for a big hug. “You’re so freaking talented, Lena.”
“Thanks.” Hugging her back, I feel tears of my own want to come.
It took me more than a week to finish the charcoal drawing of all three men. They’re walking down a dirt road, with the barn and mountains in the background, laughing with each other.
Honestly, I’m damn proud of that piece.
“I bet Gideon loved it.”
“He hasn’t seen it.” Her eyes jump to mine in surprise. “It’s for you. Now, it’s up to you to share it.”
“Thank you so much.” Willow sets it against the wall on the counter so she can stare at it. “I know exactly where I’ll hang it.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
She turns back to me and bites her lip. “Can we maybe just start over?”
“Hi, I’m Lena. It’s nice to meet you.”
Willow laughs, and her shoulders relax, and I think everything is going to be okay.
“How is it going with Gideon?” she asks me as she grabs a rag and some cleaner and starts to scrub the countertop.
He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in my life, and I don’t have any idea how I’m going to leave him.
“It’s going well.”
“He mentioned that he’s training you?”
“Yeah, I pretty much want to slash all his tires at least once a day, because holy shit, it’s a lot of work.”
She barks out a laugh, making me grin.
“I’ve heard he’s tough.”
“He’s a freaking gorgeous monster. But I’ve lost a few pounds, and I could probably hold my own against a really bad mugger.”