Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
At least that meant there were no more questions about work, so that was a success at least.
The curiosity was starting to drive her crazy. There had to be a reason he wasn’t telling her, but she couldn’t come up with the slightest clue what that might be.
Chapter Seven
A few days later they touched down at Denver International. The flight had been long, but since they’d arrived at the airport before the crack of dawn, they’d spent most of it napping. It left them a little disoriented, and in Allegra’s case, a little hangry.
The many restaurants they were passing lured her like a siren’s call and she kept asking to stop and get some breakfast, but Carter just shook his head. “No time to sit and eat. We need to grab our luggage and meet the shuttle outside.”
“But I’m starving and this place is huge,” she grumbled, trotting to keep up with him.
“There’s going to be a welcome brunch when we get there.” The four-hour flight had involved going back two time zones, and it was still early in the morning here.
“Welcome for what! You still haven’t told me what we’re here for. What’s in Colorado anyway?”
“There’s lots of things in Colorado. It’s a very popular place,” he pointed out in a mild tone. By now she had to know he wasn’t going to tell her anything.
“For skiing maybe, but there’s no snow this time of year.” She huffed. “And I don’t ski anyway.”
“You’re probably going to do a lot of new things on this trip, sweetheart. Best set your mind to it now.” He stepped onto the next moving walkway and turned back to flash her a grin. “I know how much you love new experiences.”
Her scowl was adorable. “Ha ha. I take it back, you’re not the best Daddy at all.” Her voice dropped when she got to the end, but a quick look around showed no one was paying attention to them anyway.
“Really? That’s a shame because I was going to say we could stop and grab a pretzel up there.” He pointed to the end of the walkway, where the bright lights of the popular pretzel chain shone like a beacon. “I thought you might like a quick snack to tide you over, but—”
She loved the cinnamon-sugar pretzels they were known for and immediately lit up. “Yes, let’s stop.”
“I mean… only a very good Daddy would—”
Her eyes narrowed and she blew out an exasperated breath. “That’s blackmail and you’re abusing your power.” She sounded way more scandalized than she should have, considering how well she knew him.
He was not above a little blackmail to keep things harmonious. “Yes.”
“Fine, you’re a good Daddy, but I want two.” She shoved her travel bag back behind her and crossed her arms over her chest.
He let one eyebrow rise. “You sure you’re not trying out the Little role?”
His wife rolled her eyes. “You’re full of jokes today, huh? I was going for brat, not Little, thank you very much.” She sniffed and turned her nose up at him dramatically.
There was no chance of holding back the loud bark of laughter, and it sounded extra loud in the early morning quiet of the concourse. He could feel people looking, but he didn’t let it bother him. He was already enjoying the trip.
The pretzels helped with the long slog through the giant airport, and by the time they were outside with their bags Allegra had gotten over her grumpiness. Excitement for the vacation was starting to peak. “So, where are we supposed to meet them?” she asked, looking around.
“Right here. They are probably circling or parked.” He checked his phone and sent a quick text to say they were waiting outside. He did have to wonder if the secret was about to come out. Second Chance Ranch was sending their own shuttle, and he wasn’t sure if it would have their name and logo plastered on the side.
Since they had a few minutes, he decided he might as well fill her in. “So, before they pick us up … I guess it’s time to tell you what we’re going to be doing for the next three weeks.”
She set her travel bag down next to the wheeled case she’d been pulling. “Yes. Finally. Tell me it’s a five-star spa resort. I am dying to relax and—”
“We’re going to be working on a ranch.”
“I … what?” She closed her eyes, shaking her head as if in disbelief. “We’re what?” She repeated slowly.
“We’re going to be working on a ranch for the next three weeks. I know that probably sounds a little—”
“Carter, what the hell? You took me on vacation to work?” Her arms waved wildly. “What kind of vacation is that?”
“Calm down, sweetheart.” This was exactly why he’d waited until they arrived to tell her. “It’s a special ranch and the work is just part of it. It’s—well, I guess you could call it a marriage rehabilitation kind of thing. The people who run it have been doing this for years now and they’ve helped a lot of people get their relationships back on track.” He tried to pull her into his arms, but she held up a hand between them.