Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“What are you doing staring out the window?” Caryn asks, breaking my reverie.
“Does the gardener spray paint the lawn?” I respond, caught up in my thoughts.
Caryn steps to my side, her bright blue eyes sparkling under the string of lights above us. Her expression changes from adoration to confusion, and I chuckle lightly, leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose. She smiles and snuggles into me.
“It looks like it, doesn’t it?” she muses.
“Yep,” I reply, taking another sip of wine and continue to stare. “How would you feel about spending Christmas with my father?”
Caryn’s eyes light up. “I would love to, Zane. When will he arrive?”
My heart sinks a bit when she doesn’t assume we would go to Vermont to see him. I understand why though. I’ve never asked her to go to Deer Ridge with me or have even gone myself. Pulling her closer, I take in the scent of her beloved Chanel perfume.
“I was thinking we’d go there,” I tell her. My dad would never travel to New York, especially during the holidays. He’s a homebody, and he doesn’t have anyone to run the store while he’s gone.
“But what about my parents?”
I nod, pretending to understand, although I really don’t. We spend every holiday with her family, even the ones where I just want to stay at home and relax on the couch, while watching a game on television. Even the Super Bowl is a party with no actual game-watching.
Caryn must sense my hurt or see it in my expression. She smiles softly. “This seems important to you,” she comments, placing a hand on my chest.
“I’d like to show you where I grew up, and I’d really like to take you home and introduce you to my dad. I haven’t told him we’re engaged yet.”
“Why not?”
I give her an automatic shrug. Taking a moment to really look at her, I realize just how breathtaking she is. A foot shorter than me, with icy blond hair, and a smile that makes my knees weak. Her long hair cascades in continuous waves, reminding me of ripples in the water. I once brushed my hand down her hair, thinking it was funny. It wasn’t. She doesn’t like it when I touch her hair.
Today, she has the sides of her hair pinned back with a red-and-green clip, matching her red sweater dress. I know I’m not using the correct posh names she gives everything, but to me, it’s just a sweater that’s long. Therefore, sweater dress.
“I want him to meet you when I tell him.”
“Okay, invite him here. We can throw a party.”
My head shakes slightly. Knowing my dad, he would never come. “How about we go there?” I say again as I turn her to face me, bringing her closer. “We can take a couple of weeks off, drive up, and explore the area. Like I said, I’d really like to show you where I grew up. There’s an amazing bakery across the street from my dad’s store. Alma makes the best cinnamon rolls.”
Caryn stares into my eyes for what feels like an eternity before finally nodding. “Which bed and breakfast should I book?”
“We can stay at my dad’s.”
Her nose scrunches in reluctance. “I wouldn’t want to impose. Surely, there is one in town.”
Reluctantly, I give her the name of the only place I know in town that’ll be suitable for her. “The only place I know of is a place called the Inn in the next town over. The last time I spoke with my dad, he said there are new owners, though.”
Caryn takes my hand and leads us over to the sofa. “Tell me about it.”
“Oh, geez.” I take a big inhale. “The last time I was there must’ve been for prom photos. I honestly don’t remember much of the inside or even recall ever going inside.”
“Is it haunted?”
“There were rumors growing up. Like anything in Vermont.”
Caryn thinks on this for a minute. “I’ll call and book us a room.”
“They might be booked already. It’s sort of late to try and get a place.”
She pats my cheek. It’s annoying and makes me feel like a child. This is her way of telling me not to underestimate the Bamford name.
“I’ll call my dad and let him know we’re coming to visit.”
“Sounds good, honey.” She nestles into my side. “I’ll have to go shopping.”
Thankfully, she can’t see me roll my eyes. “For what?”
Caryn sits up and shrugs. “Everything, of course.”
Right. Everything. How could I forget?
She kisses me lightly and then stands. “I’m going to call the Inn now and plan everything out with my mom. Oh, maybe they’ll come up as well. Wouldn’t that be great?”
“Of course it will be,” I mutter.
Caryn kisses me again and then disappears. Seconds later, I hear her on the phone, dropping her name as if it means something to the owners. By the end of all this, they’ll know her and all will be right in Caryn’s eyes.