Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“I…I never said…” she began.
“You implied it,” I shot back. “Lady Vivienne was a faithful wife to your old Pack Leader for twenty years. Please treat her with the respect that she deserves.”
“I…I…” Barbara clearly couldn’t think how to respond. But the other woman—the one with the gray curls—suddenly hurried up to the counter with an armful of packages.
“Here you are, Mr…?”
“I’m Korwyn Jamison, nephew of Carter Jamison,” I said, though I was fairly sure she knew who I was. In a town this small, the incident at the old Pack Leader’s funeral the night before would be front page news.
“Ah yes. Well, here are Ms. Vivienne’s packages, Mr. Jamison,” she said, pushing the packages over the counter to us. “Thank you for coming in today.”
“Thank you, Ellen,” Vivienne echoed, nodding graciously.
I gathered the packages for her because, as my mom used to say, a gentleman doesn’t let a lady carry things when he can help, and we left the post office.
Though I couldn’t see them, I could hear the whispers of the two women.
“Getting too big for her britches,” one of them hissed.
“Always so high and mighty—like she’s better than us,” the other replied.
I frowned, wondering if Vivienne had heard too. Probably—she had Were hearing just like I did. But she didn’t turn and confront either of the women. Her chin went up and the cool, calm expression came over her face again.
That’s her armor, I thought, watching her transform. The only defense she has against those people.
It was a shame they didn’t know her the way I was beginning to. Vivienne was anything but cold and uncaring—I had seen her true self when she cried in my arms that morning. She was hurting inside, and I wasn’t completely convinced that all of her pain was coming from the past. There seemed to be something bothering her, though she hadn’t told me what it was.
She doesn’t have to tell you anything—it’s not your business, I told myself sharply. But I couldn’t help feeling worried about her, just the same. What was the secret anxiety she was harboring?
“Let me just put these in the car and I’ll meet you in the grocery store,” I told her, once we were out of the Post Office.
“Oh, do you want any help?” she asked, frowning a little. “I forgot how much I ordered,” she added, in a tone of confession.
“It’s fine—I’ve got it,” I assured her. “Go on—I’ll meet you in the produce aisle in the East Wing.”
She smiled at our shared joke and nodded before heading in the opposite direction.
I watched her go—I couldn’t seem to help myself. I just couldn’t keep my eyes off her.
I had no idea how much of a problem that was going to be in the near future.
FOURTEEN
VIVIENNE
I couldn’t believe the way Kor had put Barbra in her place. She had never liked me—I’d heard whispers that she was set to be Carter’s bride before the prophecy was made and I was chosen instead. If only she knew how I wished she could have taken my place—I would have been so happy if I could go back in time and let her marry Carter instead.
But such things are impossible, of course, so I simply ignored her when she made her little snide comments and rude remarks. Fighting with a Pack member would have been beneath me, so I held my head high and ignored her. But I couldn’t help secretly cheering inside when Kor told her off.
Still feeling vindicated, I walked into Bowman’s Grocery—where the whole town shopped—and got myself a hand basket.
I only needed a few things for dinner—I was going to make some steaks and baked potatoes and some fresh asparagus, if they had some. And maybe some strawberry shortcake for dessert. Despite having a cook for so many years, I liked to keep in practice in the kitchen myself. Cooking and baking were like therapy for me—they helped me take my mind off my life for many years.
Chet Bowman, the owner of the store, nodded respectfully at me as I came in through the sliding glass doors.
“Good Morning, Pack Mistress,” he rumbled.
“Good morning, Chet,” I said, giving him a smile. He had always been friendly with me, and I’d never heard him talking behind my back like so many of the other Pack members. His wife—a plump, motherly woman with a ready smile—was often there helping him and she was always kind to me too.
So I actually liked going grocery shopping and I went as often as I could. It used to be a way to get out of the house and away from Carter, but now that I was alone, it was a way to combat the loneliness I felt.
Not lonely now though, whispered a little voice in my head. Not since Kor came.