Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 141634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 567(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 567(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Listen I’m going to be honest with you. I can do this, but I can’t do that if I stay. This is all the way out here in the middle of nowhere and it is going to take a ton of coordination.”
“Exactly.”
“Ugggrr,” she growls, and it’s kind of cute.
“You just said I’m in the middle of nowhere,” I say, and she nods. “Which means that there will be a lot of trips out here for people to look at the space and location. You’ll need to measure off distance for planning out tables and catering. Am I right?”
“Um, yes?” I cock my head to the side at her unease but she straightens her shoulders and gets a serious expression on her face. “Yes, of course we would need to do all of those things.”
“Which is why I will need to have someone here full time. I’m allowing your sister’s company to use this space, but I won’t be inconvenienced. I’ve got enough work on my hands as it is that I don’t want to be distracted with whatever soiree you’re planning.”
I begin to walk again and this time she’s right beside me, practically skipping to stay in my line of sight.
“I just don’t understand why I should be here full time in order to do that. I can make whatever trips are necessary and be here anytime someone needs to show up.”
I sigh and stop once more, pinching the bridge of my nose, reaching for patience. I take a second, and when I look up at her maple honey eyes, my muscles soften and I want to give in. I really do. But I won’t let her go.
“Exactly how long did it take you to get here today from the city?” She furrows her brows and begins to object, but I hold my hand up to stop her. “Let’s ballpark it at over an hour. That’s two hours of commute for you every day and that could mean either multiple trips out here each day if you have more than one crew coming at a time, or late-night driving through the woods, which isn’t exactly safe.”
She opens her mouth but then closes it quickly as I continue.
“I’ve made it perfectly clear that I don’t like people, so having a bunch of them in my space is going to put me in a really bad mood.”
“I can’t imagine what that’s like,” she cuts in, but I keep going.
“The more likely I am to deal with your vendors, the more likely I am to call this whole thing off. Is that what you want?”
“No.” She’s quick to agree and I see her realize she’s got hardly any options on the table. Good.
I cross my arms over my chest and cock my head to the side. “Then this is how it’s going to go. You’re going to live here full time while this planning takes place. You will deal with everyone and keep them out of my hair. The upstairs to the castle is private and I aim to keep it that way. No guests or anyone else who visits the property is allowed up there. Is that clear?”
“Crystal.” She nods with wide eyes.
“Simon!” I call, and like he’s made of thin air he appears. “Have Miss Michaels’ things brought here.”
“Pippa,” she says, and I look over in time to see her cheeks flush as she tucks her chin. “I guess if I’m going to be staying with you for a while we should be on a first-name basis.”
“I know, Pippa.” I take a step towards her and lean in. Damn, why do I like the way her name sounds on my tongue? “But the staff will refer to you as Miss Michaels because that’s what pleases me.”
“I’ll make sure it’s done,” Simon agrees.
“Today,” I say, looking over at him, and he nods.
“Of course.”
“Pippa will give you the details. I’ve got to finish the wood before the storm rolls in.” My muscles protest as I take a step back from her and it’s got nothing to do with being sore.
“It’s not supposed to rain,” Pippa calls to me as she looks out the window.
I turn around one last time and shake my head. “Don’t let the sunshine fool you, princess. There’s a storm coming.”
Chapter Five
PIPPA
The rain pours down as I stare out the window into the darkness. A flash lights up the back of the house and it’s eerily beautiful here. A few seconds later thunder rumbles and I pull my sweater around my shoulders. The house has gotten a little colder since the sun went down and the storm Timber said was coming rolled in fast. The movers barely got my belongings into the house before the rain started to pour down.
Letting go of the heavy curtain so it falls back over the window, I turn to look at what will be my new home for the next few weeks. Boxes fill the space in front of me and it looks like they brought everything from my bedroom but the bed. My things look out of place in the beautiful room with rich colors and heavy drapes. The crown molding alone likely costs more than everything I own. The bathroom is bigger than my freaking bedroom, which is just nuts. I really don’t think I need all this stuff for only a few weeks, but what am I supposed to do? It wasn’t as if I had much say in the matter.