Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“No, he says it’s really good. You don’t have to change a thing. And I agree. It’s the perfect vibe for what we’re building here.”
Janet smiles. “Well, that’s good to hear. Are you going into town tomorrow? We’re out of milk and flour.”
“I’ll put them on my list,” I say, reaching for my phone.
I’ve learned that it helps to be super organized, and shopping lists are one of my new favorite things. I think about Oscar and how much he would approve of my new system, but that leads me to thinking about Kellan and Alex and everything we had together. Best to shut that down quickly before I get depressed.
“Do you want to open a bottle of wine?” Janet asks.
In the name of research, we’ve purchased at least a dozen bottles from different wineries across the valley, and they’re all sitting on the kitchen counter, waiting for one of us to build a wine rack. I’m trying to narrow down the flavor profiles I like, so that I know which direction I want my own product to go.
“Not right now,” I say. “But if we still have any of the California Belle, I’ll have a glass of that.”
“Coming right up,” Janet says cheerfully.
I’m just settling down with a chilled glass when there’s a knock on the door. I’m not expecting anyone, so I look over at Janet to confirm whether she’s expecting a guest. She shrugs, indicating that she’s just as confused as I am. I get up to answer the door and am thrilled when I find Bryan standing on my front porch step.
“Bryan!” I shout, pulling him into a hug. “You asshole. I thought you were just calling to check up on me. How the hell did you get here so quickly?”
“I called from the road,” he says with a devious grin. “I didn’t say anything because I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I’m surprised,” I say with a laugh. “Come in, please.”
I stand back to let both Bryan and Callie enter my new home. Callie looks tired and worried, two things I wish she didn’t feel. The whole thing with Melanie is such a mess, it left a dent in every relationship they had—with me, with my brother, and clearly, with Callie, too.
“It’s so good to see you,” I tell her with a warm smile.
“I’ve been itching to come up here for a while,” she says, then gives Bryan a playful scowl. “But Mr. I’m-Too-Busy-to-Visit-My-Own-Sister here kept postponing this surprise trip.”
“More like, Mr. I’m-Just-Giving-My-Sister-Space,” Bryan gently corrects her.
“Come here, you!” I give Callie a strong hug, making sure that she knows she’s welcome.
She takes off her coat and hangs it by the door while Bryan says hello to Janet. He grins. “Glad to see you’re settling into the farmer’s life.”
Janet laughs. “The wine is the best part. Speaking of guests, partner in crime, should we revisit the wine selection?”
“That sounds perfect,” I say. “Do you have any bags we need to bring in from the car? Or do you guys want to take a shower?” I ask my brother. “Hot water’s limited, but there’s enough.”
“I’d love to take a shower,” Callie says, “but I need to talk to you first.”
I look at Bryan for a clue about what’s going on, but he only smiles. “I’ll go get our stuff and let you talk.”
“I can sleep on the couch, and you guys can take my bed,” Janet offers.
“No,” Bryan says quickly. “I’ll sleep on the couch. This is your house; I don’t want to intrude.”
Bryan and Janet keep bickering over who should take the couch as they head outside for the luggage. Callie and I are left alone in the living room, staring awkwardly at each other.
“Makayla,” Callie begins. “This is really hard for me, and I’m so sorry about everything that happened in Sweden.”
“It’s not your fault,” I say, trying to console her, but she’s having none of it.
She lifts a hand, silently asking for patience as she goes on. “Please, let me say this. I think that my sister may have been lying to you.”
My voice cracks. “She… what?”
I was already conflicted enough, but I had almost managed to convince myself that the Anderson triplets were the villains in this story. That Melanie wasn’t exactly the salt of the earth, either, but whatever happened between them had left her with genuine wounds. That they did something to her. It’s been my lifeline, my way of healing in their absence.
“I’ve had several conversations with Melanie both at the resort and after we all came home,” Callie begins. I motion toward the couch and we both sit down, while I brace myself for what follows. “At first I believed everything that she said. I thought, how could Bryan be such good friends with people who are so awful. But the more she said about the incident, the more things didn’t add up.”