Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Do you want to go home? I can make an excuse, and we can get out of here right now.”
“No, I want to stay. This weekend is important to your grandfather.”
“Okay. But if you change your mind, we can bail out at any time.”
He nuzzled my neck and murmured, “You’re so nice.”
“You come first, Embry. Seriously. And even if my grandfather discovered the truth and decided not to give me the inheritance, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. You and I would still be together, and that’s all that really matters.”
“But you need that money.”
“I need you.”
“You’re going to make me cry.” He kissed me, and then he took a deep breath and climbed off my lap. “Go see what your grandfather wants. The suspense is killing me. Then come back and get me, okay? I don’t want to go to dinner without you.”
“I will.” I put on my shoes and suit jacket and grabbed my phone. “Text me if you need anything at all.” He promised he would.
My thoughts were on Embry as I left the room and made my way downstairs. I had to pause and look around to get my bearings when I stepped outside.
The inn had been built in a French country style, and it was comprised of three two-story buildings surrounding an elegant garden. Two of my cousins were drinking wine near the fountain, and they tried to wave me over. But my grandfather was expecting me, so I gave them a quick wave before hurrying to the main building.
Granddad was staying in the presidential suite, same as usual. When I knocked, he flung the door open and exclaimed, “Bryson my boy, there you are,” before grabbing me in a hug. I couldn’t recall when exactly it had started, but the hugging thing was fairly new.
I said, “Happy birthday, Granddad,” as he ushered me into the suite.
“Thank you. Where’s Embry?”
“He’s getting dressed for dinner.”
He nodded at that. “I decanted a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon. Take a seat, and I’ll pour you a glass.” Whatever this was about, it didn’t seem like bad news, judging by my grandfather’s upbeat demeanor.
I sat in one of the two club chairs in front of the crackling fireplace and glanced around the room. It looked almost exactly like ours, only bigger, with the same sage green, white, and tan color scheme, complemented by serene landscape paintings and tasteful bric-a-brac. All the rooms in the inn had been remodeled more than once in its hundred-and-twenty-year history, and they managed to retain a vintage feel, despite sneaking in a few modern touches like Jacuzzi-style bathtubs and wet bars.
My grandfather handed me a glass and tapped his to it with a hearty, “Cheers.” Then he sat down facing me, and as I took a sip, he said, “I’m going to cut right to the chase. I know you and Embry were virtual strangers when you got married.”
I choked on my wine and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “How did you know?”
“Producing him out of nowhere and marrying him that quickly raised my suspicions. Plus, at the start of our family get-together at Christmas, it was pretty obvious you two were just getting to know each other.”
I was too overcome with guilt to try to lie my way out of this. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not done yet.” He unfastened the buttons on his suit jacket and leaned back before continuing, “During that same holiday visit, I saw something very real blossoming between the two of you. When I dropped by your house last week, and when we had dinner together the next day, it became clear you two are a genuine couple now.”
“You’re right.”
“I should have just given you your inheritance without making you jump through hoops. I know it was manipulative.” A slightly smug grin appeared. “But I can’t help but point out it worked like a charm. If it wasn’t for my ultimatum, you never would have met Embry.”
“That’s true.” It was hard to keep my voice steady as I said, “I really am sorry for lying. I didn’t want to deceive you, but I felt like I was backed into a corner, and I really needed that money. I got deeply into debt and destroyed my credit when my restaurant failed. I even took out two mortgages on the house, and I’ve been terrified of losing it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me your restaurant put you into debt? I would have helped you, Bryson.”
“I was ashamed. You always taught me I needed to be the best at whatever I did. I couldn’t stand the thought of coming to you and telling you how horribly I’d failed. You obviously knew the restaurant went under, but I wanted you to think it was more of a reset, instead of a massive disaster.”