Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Usually,” I reply with a nod and sip the coffee, watching as she smiles over at me. “You look nervous. Whose ass do I have to kick?”
“You’re so much like your father,” she says with a sigh. “It’s one of the things I love about you. Rem, I quit.”
I feel my eyebrows climb in surprise. “I’m sorry?”
“I quit,” she repeats, and then sighs again, louder this time. “I know that we’ve tried to find a new bookkeeper several times and that no one has worked out, but I’m serious when I tell you that you have thirty days to find someone and get them trained. This is business. Sure, it’s a family business, but it’s business all the same. I’m done working. I’ve done this job for almost forty years, and I am burned out. I want to enjoy my grandchildren, take trips with my husband, and maybe watch some Netflix without worrying about the financial side of this ranch.”
“I know, Mom.” I let out a sigh of my own and sip more coffee. “And you deserve to do all of that. I’ll make it happen. There are offices in town that I can hire to take it over. Thanks for being patient.”
“I love you, and I can see that you’re already overburdened. More so than what your dad and I had to deal with, now that the ranch has expanded and is more profitable than ever, and on one hand, I’m sorry for that.”
“Sorry that we’re successful?”
“Sorry that it’s not as simple as it used to be. That you’re pulled away from your kids more and more. However, I will say that I really like Erin. She’s smart and funny, and the kids adore her. She’s been a lovely addition to the ranch.”
I nod and can’t help but smile a little at the thought of my beautiful nanny. “They do love her. Things are going smoothly there, especially over the past couple of weeks since she moved in. She’s a huge help.”
“And she’s beautiful.”
I narrow my eyes, watching my mother. “Are you trying to play matchmaker?”
“I don’t have to,” she replies with a big laugh. “Honey, I can see how you look at her.”
“And how is that?”
“Like you’ve waited for her all your life. And that’s something else that I love about her. She’s awoken something in you that’s been sleeping for a very long time.”
“I think it’s weird to be sitting in your kitchen, discussing whether or not I’m hot for my kids’ nanny.”
“Oh, please. I may be your mom, but I’m not dead when it comes to these things. I see it, and I like it very much. Erin’s good for you.”
I frown over at her. “How is that?”
“You’ve smiled more in the past month than you have since Holly was born. That tells me everything I need to know.”
“Mom—”
“All right, I’ll stop.” She holds both hands up in surrender as my phone rings.
I frown down at my dad’s name.
“Are you and Dad in cahoots? Now he’s calling me.”
“I have no idea what he’s calling for,” she assures me as I accept the call.
“Hello?”
“Hey, son, there’s a vehicle I don’t recognize on the property, making its way to your house. Thought I’d let you know.”
“Thanks, I’ll head there right now.” I click off and turn back to my mom. “I have to go check something out. I’ll look for that bookkeeper right away.”
“Thanks, honey.” She boosts herself up and kisses my cheek before I head back out to the Jeep and to the farmhouse.
Sure enough, there’s a rental SUV sitting in front of the house and a man walking up to my front door.
“Can I help you?” I step out of the Jeep and toward the porch, and the man turns to me, pinning me with sharp blue eyes.
I know that face.
“I’m looking for Erin Montgomery,” he says, his voice all business. “I’m told she moved out here.”
“That’s right.” Where do I know this guy from? “Can I tell her who’s calling?”
“Her father,” he replies easily and offers me a hand to shake. “Will.”
“Will Montgomery,” I reply slowly as I shake his hand and realize exactly who he is. “Erin didn’t mention that her father is a football legend.”
“Yeah, well, that doesn’t surprise me. Is she here?”
“I believe so.” I open the door, gesture for Will to follow me, and call out, “Erin? Are you here?”
The house stays quiet, and I can tell that no one is here.
“She took the kids to school this morning, but she usually comes back out to the ranch afterward.” I frown and turn back to Will. “I’ll call her.”
“Please do. She won’t answer me.” His voice is full of frustration.
Erin answers on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Hey, where are you? Are you at the ranch?”
“Yeah, I’m out at the barn. Do you need me?”