Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Look out, here comes Winnie, queen of all screwups and burned bridges! Watch out, or she’ll set you on fire, too.
“Is he your father?” he presses.
“Yes.” I give up and open my eyes again.
“He seemed concerned. He wanted to know where you were. It sounded rather urgent.”
Well, obviously.
Dad makes everything sound urgent. Pretty easy when you’re used to snapping your fingers and people go running like obedient dogs.
He’ll want me to come home as soon as possible with my heart in my hands.
As far as he’s concerned, I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.
That’s why my phone is off.
I don’t have to face the train wreck yet if I don’t hear the violent crash.
Dad calling, demanding my return in that high-and-mighty way he has.
Mom, too, pleading with me to grow up and beg Holden to take me back. Does she ever do anything besides echo my father?
Dad’s the big dominant personality. Mom is a willow blown around in a storm. Beautiful, graceful, but ultimately forever bent to his will.
God, maybe Holden himself tried calling, still trying to persuade me to come back instead of giving up on a ‘good partnership.’
What he really means is a profitable one, and Dad strongly endorses his view.
Sighing slowly, I fold my arms and look at Archer, who’s still waiting for a reply. I’m sure he wants me to spill the truth so he knows he isn’t dealing with a total wacko.
Tough luck, big guy.
“Did you tell him where I am?” I ask quietly.
He frowns like he’s annoyed by the question. “No. It’s not our company policy to give customer details to anyone else without a damn good reason. This doesn’t qualify as a medical emergency or an official missing person case. Not yet anyway.”
“Thank God.” I heave out another sigh. “I mean, cool. If he calls back, don’t tell him where I am. Pretty please?”
“Winnie.”
Holy hell.
This man should not be able to say my name like an entire thunderstorm condensed into one word.
“Yes, Archer?”
“Be straight with me. What’s really going on with you?”
At least he’s asking me directly this time. “It’s fine. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Are you in some kind of trouble with your family?”
“Trouble? What?” I wrinkle my nose, laughing painfully. “I mean, it depends how you define trouble, I guess, but—”
But he’s absolutely right and he knows it.
His face hardens. I raise my hands defensively.
“Not legal trouble. Nothing like that. I haven’t broken any laws. Feel free to do a background check if you want.”
“Then what kind of trouble are we talking? I deserve to know if I’ve got your dad calling my office, damn near demanding we give up your location.”
Awkward silence.
It’s starting to feel familiar.
“Look, I hate to do this, Archer,” I say. Really, I don’t, when the alternative is worse. “But this is none of your freaking business, okay? It’s personal. I’ll worry about my trouble, and you worry about yours, making money hand over fist with these fancy cabins or whatever else you do.”
His scowl says he totally doesn’t believe a word I say.
Ouch.
“Dude, if my dad keeps calling, just block him. Is that so hard? He’s a big important guy, kinda used to getting his own way. He won’t like it but he can’t do much more than complain.”
Understatement of the century.
As I read Archer’s face, I regret my words.
Is he a younger clone of my father? He’s big and successful and important enough to own these beautiful places. Then again, I doubt he’s ever been elected to state office, which might keep his ego in check a little.
Trust me, I know. Nothing turns people into raging entitled monsters like a whiff of political power.
Archer shifts, folding his arms and holding my gaze like he’s expecting me to back down. But I’m no stranger to intimidation and I’ve hit my limit.
This big gruff evil eye business isn’t changing my mind.
“Fine,” he snarls at last, his voice grating with annoyance. This must be costing him—but I don’t care as long as he gives me some peace. “As I said, it’s corporate policy to respect your privacy as long as you’re not breaking the law.”
“Just company policy?” I raise an eyebrow.
I swear his teeth snap together so hard he might’ve cracked a molar.
“And mine, personally,” he growls. “I don’t get off on prying. Normally, I’d be too busy to give one shit about your secrets, lady.”
Ouch again.
“Sounds good. Personal integrity matters,” I force out.
“Yeah, we agree. That’s why, if you won’t tell me what’s going on, I’m afraid I can’t guarantee you a longer stay than what you’ve booked.”
“What? You just said you cared about my privacy!” My heart tries to leap out of my chest.
“I’m afraid it’s a bit personal. Higher Ends has had its share of troubles the last couple years. Real, criminal issues that would probably make yours look like a cakewalk,” he says, and he makes it sound so reasonable that I want to scream. “This property has a lot of interest as one of our newest and best offerings. I’d be a fool to risk that on a handshake agreement.”