Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“I totally belong in a small town,” Isaac said.
Huh. Funny, I was thinking it all sounded pretty creepy to me.
“Anyways, I’ll tell Byron you’re here, though I’m sure he already knows. He can usually hear through the door. I’m Dottie, by the way—Dottie Jensen. I knew your daddy, of course. Well, your whole family. How can you live in Buckridge and not know the Mitchells?”
“Or the O’Ralleys,” Isaac added, and I nudged him.
“Well, yes, them too, but we have to admit, they’re a little different from the Mitchells, with the rumors and all.”
“What rumors?” I asked.
“Well, I don’t know how true it is, but my mama, bless her heart, didn’t trust Bobby Mitchell or his daddy as far as she could throw them. I mean, we all loved them because that’s what we do here, but I’d be lyin’ if I didn’t say I questioned their morals, if you know what I mean.”
My heart spiked. This was the second time someone made it sound like there was something dirty going on where my family was concerned. “No, I don’t, actually.”
“Well, those are all stories, and I’m not one to spread rumors,” Dottie countered.
I was pretty sure she was exactly the type to spread rumors. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to ask. The side door opened, and Byron said, “Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Connors, please come in.”
I nodded and signaled for Isaac to go first, following Byron into his office.
“Please, sit down. Sorry I haven’t replied to your message. It’s been a busy day.”
“No problem,” I said, even though it was. “I was going through the paperwork, and I had a few questions. First, there are bank-account balances—”
“Which will go to you after one year. It was one of your father’s stipulations. I wasn’t supposed to tell you until you arrived.”
“Did he always play games like this?” I asked, frustrated.
“This isn’t a game, Mr. Mitchell. Your father loved you. He—”
I held up a hand. I didn’t want to hear about him loving me. When he looked at me, obviously offended, I said, “I apologize if that came off harsh. I’m just dealing with a lot.”
“Well, thank you for that, and I’m sure you are.”
We eyed each other for a moment as if unsure what to think. This man had been my dad’s best friend. There had to be things he wasn’t telling me.
“I have a question for you…” He hesitated. “Do you know what your plans are? With Mitchell Creek? Do you intend to sell? Reopen? Keep it until you decide?”
“Reopen,” I said without thought. Well, shit. The answer had been right there all along. I hadn’t wanted to admit it, but I was sure I knew since before I’d arrived. I was curious about my history. I needed a challenge.
Mitchell Creek was just that.
I turned to Isaac. “With his help, hopefully.”
“Are you kidding? I’d never let you have all the fun.”
His answer didn’t surprise me. Isaac and I were family.
I wonder what Brody will think, danced through my head. That surprised me. It didn’t matter one way or another what that gorgeous man, whose family had feuded with mine, thought. It didn’t matter at all.
“Then I have something else for you,” Byron said, making me frown. Something he could only give me if I was opening the distillery again? “I’ll need you to sign an NDA first. I understand that seeing this might change your mind. Your father stipulated that you had to want Mitchell Creek before I gave it to you. Afterward, you’re welcome to stay or walk, but you won’t be able to talk about what you read.”
What I read? Holy fuck, this really was like a movie. “Okay.”
Byron already had the NDA ready and handed it over. “I’ll prepare a different one for you, Mr. Connors.”
I read it while he prepared Isaac’s, I assumed because he was there at the moment and I mentioned him helping with the distillery. It was all standard stuff, so I signed and waited for Isaac to do the same.
“I know it’s hard for you to believe, but your father really did love you,” Byron said. “He did the best with what he was given, and he tried to make things right. When he fell in love with Pammy White, that changed things for him. He wanted to be the man she deserved.”
I froze. Isaac reached over and placed his hand on my knee. My mom’s last name had been Miller. Pam Miller. “White?” I asked with a tremble to my voice.
“Shit. I wasn’t thinking. I forgot you didn’t know that. Your mama changed her last name because she didn’t want to be found easily. It’ll all make sense to you soon. She gave you your daddy’s last name, though, obviously.”
This was such a fucking mess. I had no idea what to think or feel.