Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Hey, Ellie—” Courtlynn steps into my office, but stops when she sees Bowen. “Oh, it’s you,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“Baby Moran, always a pleasure.” Bowen smirks.
“Did you need me?” I ask my little sister. When she and Bowen are in the same room together, it’s like another world war is about to take place. He’s picked on her since she was a kid, and she’s hated him for it every single day.
“I just wanted to tell you that we’re full for the night. Sara was checking in three couples for the last three open rooms as I was leaving. We are officially at capacity.” She grins.
“Really? That’s great. Thanks for telling me. It’s not often we fill all fifteen rooms.”
“Yeah, I guess the Comptons are having a family reunion this weekend, and some of the family decided to come a few days early and visit a little longer,” Courtlynn explains.
“Sounds like a win for everyone.” I smile at her.
“Yeah, as long as you get along with said family,” Bowen points out.
Courtlynn rolls her eyes, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her they’ll stay that way—something Mom used to say a lot when we were growing up. It must have been hell to raise daughters all pretty close in age.
“No one asked you, Nichols,” Courtlynn spits.
“So testy. Have you eaten? Is your blood sugar low? Is that why you’re so cranky?”
“Whatever,” she says, turning her back to him to face me. “Are you going to be home for dinner? I was thinking of making Mom’s chicken and dumplings.”
Her voice changes just a bit. Nothing anyone else would notice, but I do. Courtlynn was only sixteen when we lost our parents, and now, at twenty-five, she’s still kind of just… floundering, I guess. She does anything that needs to be done at the inn or on the grounds of the estate. She never complains, but she’s yet to find her thing.
Well, has yet to realize her thing.
We all know the kitchen is where she wants to be, but she can’t admit it. She used to cook with Mom, who ran the kitchen all the time, and that’s where her heart is. One day, she’ll figure it out, and when she does, I’ll gladly hand over the reins to her.
“Actually, squirt, I’m taking your sister to dinner tonight,” Bowen speaks up.
“Eww, really, Ellie?” Courtlynn leans her head to the side to study me.
“He asked, and you know we’re just friends,” I remind her.
“Thank the lord for small favors,” she mutters.
“I think Mom’s chicken and dumplings sound great. Bowen?”
“You know I’m down for Baby Moran to cook for me any day.”
“Careful, you might enjoy your last meal and never wake up.”
“Court!” I scold.
“Fine,” she grumbles. “Dinner’s at six. Come or don’t.” With that, she turns and walks out of my office.
“Do you have to antagonize her like that?” I ask Bowen.
He shrugs. “It’s our thing. Besides, she gives it back. This isn’t one-sided, Ellison.”
I heave a heavy sigh, because he’s right. These two have been at odds with each other for years, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
I point an index finger at him. “Best behavior at dinner, Bowen Nichols.”
He stands to his full height and salutes me. “Yes, ma’am. Now come on, I’m starving, and you’ve been sitting in that chair long enough.” He winks, and I laugh.
Grabbing my purse and my phone, we head out of the inn and down the drive to our family house on the property.
I was so close to moving out on my own when we lost our parents. I’ve come to realize that dreams come and go. They change as we grow, and I have zero regrets stepping up to be a parental figure to my younger sisters. Leighton graduated that year, and Courtlynn was a sophomore. Our grandparents offered, but I needed them to focus on the inn, to give me time to learn to step into my dad’s shoes.
There was a time when I was a young girl full of dreams of love and a happily ever after, and ideas of a life beyond Magnolia Ridge. That dream has since changed, and I know in my soul, this is where I’m supposed to be.
Two
Copeland
* * *
My boots feel heavy as I take the small set of steps to reach my front door. It’s been a long-ass day of training the recruits. Even though it’s only five o’clock, I’m ready to shower, shove some food down my throat, and fall face-first into the mattress. Zero four hundred comes early, and I’m getting too old for this. Three more years, and I’ll have my twenty years of service, then I’m out. I’ve done my time. I’ve devoted my life to the Marines, and although I’m worried about what life after the service looks like, I’m ready.