Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I snorted, then quickly covered it up by clearing my throat. “Thank you, Ensley.”
She stepped back and bowed. “I’m at your service.”
I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing.
Once they’d walked behind the stage and off to what I guessed was the kitchen, I smiled at Caden. “I’ve never had anyone do anything like this for me, ever. Thank you.”
He reached across the table and took my hand in his. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get my head out of my ass.”
I looked around, grinning. “I think the wait was worth it.”
We fell into an easy conversation, and before I knew it, we’d finished our dessert. Moreen came out to quickly ask how everything was. I stood to hug her, thanking her for the amazing food.
“Moreen, everything was so good. I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me! You’re an incredible chef. You could put Anna’s right out of business!”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down. “Oh, stop it.”
“I’m serious.”
Caden added, “It was amazing, Moreen. I really think you should talk to Mitch about opening up a café or bakery. He owns so many buildings, and I bet he would have something for you. River Falls needs something new in town.”
I clapped excitedly. “Oh yes! Moreen, you should!”
She chewed on her lower lip. “I don’t know. It’s…it’s such a big move.”
Taking her hands in mine, I said, “If I can do it, so can you.”
Vivianne appeared next to me, lacing her arm in mine. “Let’s take a potty break.”
“Potty break?” Caden asked. “Mom, she’s not five.”
Ignoring her son, Vivianne guided me back through the theater and out into the main lobby. We turned to the right and headed to the bathrooms, which were just as beautiful as the rest of the place.
“Vivianne, this is all so amazing. I don’t know how to thank you all.”
She smiled. “Don’t thank us. It was all Caden’s idea.”
I nodded and attempted a smile. Vivianne took my hands in hers. “Stop doubting how he feels for you.”
Surprised, I asked, “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”
“Because I’m a woman, first and foremost. And I’m Caden’s mother, so I know how stubborn he is, and I know how scared he was to open his heart again. Caden has always been my one child who wore his heart on his sleeve. He’s very much like his father in the sense that when he falls, he falls hard. He’s all in. Ladd’s grandmother once told me that when a Wilde man loves you, he loves you with everything he has. And a love like that can sometimes be too much.”
“Too much?” I asked.
She laughed. “I said the same thing, if I remember right. How can a man who loves you that deeply ever be too much?”
“I’ve never been loved like that,” I said softly.
Her hands squeezed mine. “I see the way Caden looks at you, Lilibeth. And I never once saw him look at Rachel like he looks at you.”
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. “I want to believe that. But he was destroyed when she left him.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “Destroyed? No. Hurt, yes. Very much so. I think, if I’m being honest, he was more angry than anything. Angry that he gave her so many of his years. But I look at it this way—every road we travel teaches us something new in life. The road Caden took led him to you, Lilibeth.”
Tears swam in my eyes. “Vivianne…I have to tell someone before I burst. I love your son more than I’ve ever loved anyone. I think I fell in love with him the moment he first scowled at me and called me Flower Child. I know I was in love with him before I found out I was pregnant. I’m terrified it’s my heart that’s going to get broken.”
She drew me into her arms and held me. The tears I’d been trying to keep at bay finally fell.
Stepping back, Vivianne looked at me and smiled. She reached up and wiped my tears away. “Lilibeth, I can tell you without a doubt, every heartbeat from that boy belongs to you.”
I let out a breath and closed my eyes as I tried to get my emotions in check. “My gosh, these hormones!”
Vivianne chuckled. “Come on, let’s splash your face with some water.”
When we finally made our way back to the theater, the table had been removed and replaced by a blanket with pillows. Ensley was putting a large bowl of popcorn on the blanket.
“Drinks are right here,” she said. “Popcorn here, and your favorite movie snacks. I had to call your mom and ask her what they were.”
I looked down to see a box of Sno-Caps and a box of Good & Plenty. The urge to grab the Sno-Caps was strong, but I resisted.