Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Royal hooked the handle of the basket in the crook of his arm but didn't say anything about the contents. I resisted the urge to ask what was inside, hoping it was the truffles and champagne. I asked the other question I wanted answered. “Did you have a bad day?”
Royal's smile was rueful. “Not the worst day ever, but frustrating and way too long. I was late getting out to Heartstone this afternoon because I was getting our new CFO settled in. I think he's going to be a great fit, but I underestimated how long it would take to show him the ropes. Then Savannah ran into an electrical problem at the Manor, which ate up half of our afternoon, and worse, is delaying getting Bryce and Ophelia out of The Inn.”
“Is that why you were back in your office?”
“Things came up this afternoon while I was at Heartstone that I needed to deal with. I guess it wasn't a bad day so much as too long. I like the ending, though.”
Another smile, this one leaving me breathless. He was so handsome when he smiled. Royal was handsome all the time, but when he smiled, really smiled, he was blindingly gorgeous.
Looking up at him, I wondered how I could have thought he was anything like my dad. In looks and charm, yes, absolutely. My dad and Royal had both to spare. But my dad never would have put in a long day doing any kind of work, much less juggling two businesses and family at the same time. My dad couldn't even clear his own fucking plate from the table.
I squeezed my fingers around Royal's and smiled back. “I like the ending, too.”
I have to admit I was barely paying attention to the gardens other than to register that they were green, filled with flowers, and beautiful. As the sun slowly set, fairy lights twinkled to life in some of the trees and glowing spotlights illuminated the path.
We passed the first of the cottages by the river, built in the same stone and timber style as The Inn itself. I'd never stayed in one, being a townie and not having a massive bank account, but I'd heard they were gorgeous on the inside. And very, very expensive. Some of them were lit up already, guests home for the evening and enjoying their private sanctuaries.
The river burbled through the trees, the scent of water drifting into the garden, twining with the scents of flowers and other growing things. We passed the last cottage, which had its porch lights on but was otherwise dark. After that, there was a short gap and then what looked like a foundation, already poured. Beyond that foundation was another and yet another.
“Are you adding new cottages?”
Royal drew to a stop and turned so we faced the newly poured foundation. “We are. Tenn and I planned this out years ago but couldn't get Prentice to approve it. Griffen looked at our business plan and gave us the go-ahead. The Inn has high occupancy rates year-round, but the cottages are booked to capacity most of the time. We charge a premium, even more in the summer and fall, and people keep showing up. It seemed a waste not to use the land.”
I studied the new foundations dotted along the river and had no doubt these cottages, too, would be occupied year-round. It was peaceful here, the existing cottages rustically gorgeous. The perfect spot for a vacation in the mountains.
“How long until they're ready?”
“Maybe by late fall, early winter if we don't run into any trouble.”
“That's great, Royal. If they're anything like the others, it's going to look beautiful.”
“That's the plan,” he said and turned us back the way we'd come.
I wasn't ready when he took me to the porch of the nearest cottage and led me inside. Nerves thrilled through me as we walked through the main living area, past the wide-open doors to the bedroom, but Royal ignored the temptation of the big bed and brought me to the covered back porch overlooking the river.
“We've kept this cottage closed while we're under construction to give paying guests a buffer from the noise. I thought we could sit on the porch and drink some champagne.”
“That sounds perfect,” I said, a little dizzy from the romance of it. I sat on the wide porch swing facing the river and propped my feet up on the railing. Royal took the spot beside me and did the same, the heat of his body against mine easing the tightness I'd had in my chest since dinner.
Royal poured me half a glass of champagne. “Tell me why you were feeling sorry for yourself.”
I both regretted having said anything and wanted to tell him everything. I settled for something in the middle.
“My dad's home. It's good to see him, I guess, but he… Well, I told you about him. He's full of big stories, and smiles, and hugs, but he says he has business in town and he—”