Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 142214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 711(@200wpm)___ 569(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 711(@200wpm)___ 569(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
“What do you mean he changed his will?” And why would Magnus’s will and testament bring them here? She fixed Logan with a penetrating stare.
“He’s no longer leaving us the company.”
“What? But you’re his sons!”
“Hold on,” Soren objected. “He’s not leaving it to Logan.”
Logan shoved his brother. “He’s not leaving it to you either. It’s going to the board and shareholders unless...”
She leaned forward, waiting for him to finish. “Unless what?”
Logan shifted and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Unless one of us proves we’re responsible enough to take it over.”
She frowned. “How does he expect to measure that?”
Again, they clammed up.
“Somebody better start talking. You came here for a reason, and I want to know why.”
Her mind went to the property, and her curiosity morphed into panic. The Haven, named after her mother, sprawled across a private retreat of more than fifteen thousand acres of woodland, but it also bordered the Hawthorne estate.
“Is this about the occupancy permit for the new lodges?”
“No, it has nothing to do with your plans for the retreat.”
“Then why are you here?”
They both looked uncomfortably at each other.
“Enough with the weird looks!”
“He added a clause.”
“A clause?”
“Some minor new requirements,” Soren explained.
“Such as...?”
“He wants us to take more interest in our positions on the board and show up for more meetings.”
“Well, that seems fair. If you guys are going to run the company, you’ll need to stay informed.”
“But that’s not all he wants.”
They both stared at her, and she instinctively stepped back like cornered prey. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
And where was Greyson? Wouldn’t this affect him, too? Leave it to Greyson to remove himself entirely from any emotional situation.
“He, uh…” Logan cleared his throat. “…wants us to settle down.”
She laughed. “Yeah, right.”
No resident in Hideaway Harbor would classify any of the Hawthorne boys as settled. They were as untamed as the seas and as unruly as the wind. Even a patriarch as powerful as Magnus Hawthorne the Third couldn’t control such wildness.
“Good luck with that.”
Soren met her stare. “He wants us to find a wife.”
She stilled. “Excuse me?”
“He thinks getting married will calm us down.”
Her laughter doubled. “That poor woman, whoever she is! Getting married isn’t going to tame you boys.” Suddenly, her laughter stopped, a foreboding queasiness creeping in. “Wait…”
Soren glanced at Logan. “I think she’s getting it now. Give her a sec.”
“You’re not here because...”
They both looked at each other then at her.
She took another step back. “Absolutely not! Are you insane?”
“It’s not that crazy of an idea, Wren.”
Frantically, she stowed groceries in the cabinets and fridge, shoving items onto the wrong shelves, too distracted to achieve any organization. “Whatever crazy ideas brought you here, forget it! My God, there are three of you! What did you expect to happen?”
“Forget the fact that there are three of us and only one of you. You’re the only woman any of us would ever consider marrying.”
She spun and gaped at them. “Us? What the hell are you suggesting, Logan?”
“No, it wouldn’t be like that. You would pick.”
“Pick what?”
He shrugged. “Whichever one of us you liked most.”
Her jaw unhinged. “You’ve lost your mind.”
Wren pushed past them and carried her new shampoo into the bathroom. When she set it down and turned, they were right behind her—cornering her again and sucking all the air out of her little house. She wedged between them and went back to the kitchen.
“Come on, Wren. We’d let you choose.”
She stilled then pivoted to face them. “Oh, I get to choose? Well, how lucky for me! Whichever one will it be? Let’s see. Considering that I’ve never had a single romantic interaction with any of you, I guess my answer is none.”
“Come on, Wren—”
“No!” she snapped, stepping away from Soren’s cajoling touch. He could be quite convincing when he turned on the charm, and she wasn’t falling for that. “Did you actually think you could come here and talk me into marrying one of you? What kind of woman do you think I am?”
“The marrying kind.”
Her stare snapped to Logan’s. “Don’t be a smartass. If I ever do get married, it’s going to be to someone who loves me. Not someone who views me as a means to an end.” She didn’t know why her voice cracked. “I think you both should leave.”
“Hey.” Soren closed the distance. “We didn’t mean to upset you.”
Again, she shrugged off his touch, unsure how such a ridiculous proposition could trigger this much turmoil. “You’re supposed to be my friends.”
“We are your friends. Wren, we love you.”
She scoffed and flung away any attempt to comfort her. “If you loved me, you’d want the best for me. Did my feelings even cross your mind when you rushed over here?”
They shot each other a sidelong glance, and she had her answer.
She shoved both of them in the chest. “Jerks!”