Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Yes, it’s going to be perfect for our charity.
“We’re thinking about building the lodge over here,” Skyla begins, pointing to just behind the cabins. “The first floor won’t have much of a view, but the second floor, where all the suites would be, will have a great view of those mountains.”
We walk the space, making plans and taking notes, and when we’re finished, I prop my hands on my hips and turn to the man my sister loves.
“You’re sure about this, then?”
“I am,” he says as he wraps his arm around Skyla and tugs her into his side. “I’m still surprised that you want to use my ranch for this, but I love the idea of offering it to families who want some special time together. My guys and I are already planning ahead to horseback rides, lessons, and tours of the dairy operation, if people want it. And we can put together information for fishing and rafting guides, hiking excursions, all kinds of things.”
“I think that’s excellent,” I reply with a nod. “We’ll finish the plans for the lodge, and if all goes as intended, we should open by spring. In the meantime, you’re losing revenue because you’ve stopped offering nightly rentals here.”
“It won’t break me.” He shrugs.
“I’m going to pay you what your normal average monthly revenue would be from now until we’re able to open next year.”
“No.” Beckett shakes his head, and Skyla clamps her lips closed, holding back a grin. “I don’t need the money.”
“You told me last year that you depend on that money.”
“The dairy’s doing well enough to make up the difference.”
“I don’t fecking care.” I shake my head. “You don’t need to struggle while we’re gearing up for this. Consider it coming from Skyla if you don’t want it from me.”
“I don’t want it from her, either.”
I raise an eyebrow, and now Skyla snorts.
“It’s fun to watch the pair of you spar back and forth,” she says. “You’re both so bleeding stubborn, I’ll be interested to see who wins.”
“I’m not with your sister for her money.”
“No one thinks you are,” I reply. “I never said that.”
We stare each other down for a couple of minutes, and then Beckett glances down at my sister.
“No.”
“We’ll revisit this conversation,” I reply. “Changing the subject, I’d like to fly your parents here in time for Sunday dinner this weekend.”
Beckett scowls. “Why?”
“Because Billie misses them, and I caught her crying this afternoon because of it, and I can fix that. Billie doesn’t need to be crying over anything at all.”
Skyla’s smile is a mile wide.
“Are you going to tell me what the fuck’s going on between you and my sister?” Beckett asks.
“I’m falling in love with her.”
He blinks at that, and Skyla’s eyes fill with tears.
“Oh, Connor.” She sniffles and wipes her cheek. “Oh, that’s lovely. She’s my best friend, and—”
“Whoa.” Beckett holds up a hand. “That’s romantic and all, but isn’t it fast?”
“I’ve known her longer than you’ve known Skyla.” I cross my arms over my chest. “What else do you have to say?”
“I—” He shakes his head. “Well, hell. Billie has a soft heart, and she’s smart as fuck, and—”
“I know.” My voice isn’t as hard when I interrupt him. I know what it is to love a sister and be worried about her. Mine is standing right next to him. “She’s the best woman I’ve ever met, and that’s the truth of it, Beckett. She misses her da, and it made her cry today, so I’m going to make sure she sees him and your mum. Do you want to call them, or do you want me to handle it?”
“Just send me the information, and I’ll forward it to them,” Beckett says. “We’ll get them here.”
I nod and tug my sister to me so I can hug her and kiss her wee head.
“Stop crying, a stór.”
“It’s not a sad cry.” She sniffs. “It’s a happy one. I have to get ready for our book club.”
“Don’t tell her about her parents coming for a visit,” I say. “It’s a surprise.”
“I can keep a secret.” She bites her lip, then bounces on her toes. “But thank the gods I don’t have to keep it for long.”
“You’re not good at keeping a secret.”
“Uh, yes, I am. I didn’t tell Ma and Da that I was being stalked for three years.”
“That’s because you’re a bloody moron,” I counter.
“While I don’t disagree that that was a mistake,” Beckett interjects, “I can’t let you call my woman a moron, man.”
“I’m her brother.”
“Still.” He shrugs. “Can’t do it.”
“Fine, I’ll do it when you’re not around.”
Skyla snorts, and we head back to the house. Before she runs inside to get ready, Skyla wraps her arms around me again and hugs me tight.
“I’m really happy for you,” she says. “Be nice to her, or I’ll make your life a living hell.”