Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
“This is huge,” Nora said.
Gabriel laughed and held his hand out for her to take.
She had talked to Trudy about the fact he wanted to take her to his grandfather’s place. Trudy had warned her that she needed to be prepared. Nothing could have prepared her for this.
“It’s home,” he said. “My grandma wanted to fill every room with a child, but that was not to be.” He sighed. “Then of course she’d hoped her only son would provide billions of grandchildren, and he only gave one.”
“Wow,” Nora said.
“Yeah, come on.” He led her up the six steps that got them closer to the front door. She expected him to get out an ancient-looking key, but instead the door opened to reveal a man who kind of reminded her of a butler.
“Lawson,” Gabriel said.
The two men hugged.
Lawson appeared to be in his late sixties.
“It is good to have you back, Gabriel. I was starting to wonder if I should send in Esther to come and get you, to bring you back,” Lawson said.
Gabriel laughed. “Life has been hectic, Old Man.”
“Don’t you call me Old Man. I could wipe the floor with you, and you know it.”
Nora couldn’t help but smile at the friendly display of affection she witnessed between Gabriel and Lawson. She was used to Gabriel’s frown and no-nonsense attitude, at least to everyone else he came in contact with.
Gabriel turned toward her. “There is actually someone I’d like you to meet,” Gabriel said.
“You brought someone home?” Lawson turned toward the door and suddenly yelled for Esther.
She looked a little panicked toward Gabriel, not exactly sure what was happening.
“Esther, come here. Gabriel has brought a woman home.”
His voice seemed to echo behind him, and Lawson looked toward her.
She smiled. “Hi,” she said.
Gabriel chuckled. “Lawson, I’d like you to meet Nora Pierce, and Nora, I’d like you to meet Lawson Williams.”
“Williams?” Nora asked with a frown.
“I’m his grandfather’s best friend, and when I was a boy, they adopted me, and I took on their name.”
She frowned.
“Like Trudy, Lawson and Esther were the only people my grandfather trusted.”
Lawson tutted. “It is a bad day when you cannot trust your own family.” He shook his head, and then an older woman she assumed was Esther came in. Lawson went to her, wrapping an arm around the woman’s waist.
“Gabriel brought home a woman.”
Esther was already looking at her. “You’re not like the women he usually dates.”
“Esther!” Gabriel said.
“I’m not a model or an actress,” Nora said. “I work for him.”
Lawson and Esther both turned to Gabriel. He shrugged.
“Well, it’s getting way too warm out here. Come on. I’ll go and get some lemonade,” Esther said.
They stepped inside Gabriel’s home, and Nora felt so out of place. She felt her hands go clammy.
“It’s good to have you back,” Lawson said. “I’m going to help Esther with the drinks. Lovely to meet you, Nora.”
She watched as Lawson left and she turned toward Gabriel. “They hate me.”
He laughed. “They don’t hate you. They’re … not happy with me.”
Nora frowned. “How is that possible?”
“I’ve never brought anyone home. You’re the first person I have, and you work for me.” He shrugged.
“You never mentioned about your grandfather having an adoptive brother.” She thought he only had Trudy looking out for him.
“Lawson was my grandfather’s best friend when they were boys. From what I know, he didn’t have a great time of it, and then my great-grandfather adopted him, and raised him as his son. My grandfather and Lawson were best friends, but Lawson refused to take any inheritance. I think my great-grandfather knew his son would take care of him. He and Esther are childhood sweethearts.”
“And they live here?”
He nodded. “Yeah, my grandfather wouldn’t have it any other way, and when my grandmother was alive, she was best friends with Esther. It worked for them. Of course, my dad tried to get them kicked out, which is why my grandfather handed over control of the estate to me.”
His parents really were a piece of work.
“In all honesty, Lawson should have gotten control of the business, but he waived all rights to it, which is why it ended up belonging to my father.”
“Wow,” Nora said.
“He trusted his best friend, and he’s family to me,” Gabriel said.
She liked that he did have people who were willing to look out for him. She reached out and took his hands.
“I like them.”
“Did you know they’re both in their eighties?” Gabriel asked.
“What? I thought they were sixties, max,” Nora said.
Gabriel shook his head.
“We’ve lived a good life,” Lawson said. “And we have a healthy diet, and a lot of love.”
Esther chuckled. “We do not need to be telling them about our love life, Lawson. Now, let me talk with Gabriel, because I need to know how serious this is.”
Gabriel laughed. “Esther, come on. I’ve only just gotten back home.”