Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
I think we’re going to be good friends. We both care about the same person.
A line of hearts answered him. Phineas watched for a few minutes, but no more messages appeared. He studied those hearts. One day, she would send him a heart with a different meaning—that she loved him, not simply the message. The idea of earning her love sparked a flame inside him. Tiffanie’s illness concerned him, of course, but he refused to let any threat take this chance to find something special from them.
Turning his attention to his next chance to spend time with Tiffanie, Phineas debated between several movies. He narrowed the list down to three. Tiffanie would make the final decision.
Chapter Seven
Tiffanie scanned the ballroom as the guests of the birthday girl streamed inside. Their reactions to her decorations thrilled her. The newly turned sixteen-year-old sparkled in a gorgeous pink gown.
In less than five minutes, the guest of honor found her tiara and squealed in delight. The mirror next to the photo booth became the most popular spot in the ballroom as all the girls carefully added their sparkling crowns to their hair. Then the picture-taking exploded.
One cute teenage boy approached and bowed regally to the birthday girl. Tiffanie smiled as he waved a hand toward the dance floor. Eagerly, she nodded and took the elbow he offered.
Princess. Phineas had thought she was beautiful when he’d first seen her. She’d dated handsome men before. The chemistry between Phineas and herself sizzled at an insane heat level, unlike anything she’d experienced before. Just being with him in the same general area made her happy, and who got wet panties from across the room? Was that because he was a Daddy?
A gust of cold air brushed past her shoulder. Tiffanie checked the vents above her for some visible problem. Everything seemed normal. She looked at the other side of the ballroom where Essie watched the dance floor. The event coordinator stood with her hand over her mouth in merriment.
Tiffanie followed her line of sight. To her amazement, the skirt of one of the young ladies rose as if the fabric had a mind of its own, and the material sharply slapped her dance partner’s hand that had drifted down to the young lady’s bottom. The teenage boy yelped and lifted his touch from her derriere.
“How’s the chaperoning going?”
With a smile, Tiffanie turned to Zander. “I haven’t had to do anything,” she confessed.
“We have some additional assistants.”
“Really? Did more parents show up?”
Zander laughed and shook his head. “No, this definitely isn’t gentle parenting. More old-fashioned manner of enforcement, I believe.”
Tiffanie studied his face, struggling to figure out what Zander implied. Obviously, he knew information she didn’t. Before she could ask questions, Zander walked toward the punch bowl where two teenagers glanced around surreptitiously as if checking to see if anyone was watching.
“Hey, boys! We’re so glad to have you at Ferguson’s Folly. Are you having fun?” Zander said loudly. Unable to resist, Tiffanie followed him. What was going on?
Immediately, they straightened with guilty looks. A flash of white caught her eye, and the shorter teen juggled something and missed catching it. They both scanned the floor.
“Can I help you find something?” Tiffanie asked.
The other one gathered his composure to answer, “No. Nothing important.” He changed the subject. “I’ve never been in a ballroom before.”
“This is a memorable day, then. Did you need some punch?” Zander asked, ladling a small amount for himself.
He tasted the concoction before saying, “Perfect. I was concerned someone had messed with the recipe. This is my favorite. Help yourself.”
Tiffanie fought to control her expression. Guilt flashed across the boys’ faces. From their reaction, she figured out what Zander had seen. They’d tried to spike the punch.
A loud meow sounded from the floor. Everyone glanced down. Marmalade sat in front of the two teenagers. Under his paw, the smart cat pinned the screw-top. Having a great time, Marmalade batted the trapped lid and raced after it, skittering here and there.
“Tony, Jason!” the birthday girl called. “Come dance.”
“On our way!” The boys nodded respectfully to Zander and Tiffanie before they fled. As Tiffanie watched, one stopped at the restroom. She guessed he’d dumped the alcohol to avoid spilling the hidden, open container.
“Oh, you’re good,” Tiffanie said.
“Marmalade and I are becoming quite the team,” Zander said with a laugh. “I’ll grab the top so no one stumbles. Have some punch. It really is great.”
Tiffanie shook her head as she picked up a cup. Might as well taste his favorite recipe. “Mmm. This is good.”
Returning to her chair, Tiffanie kept an eye out for other strange happenings. Maybe she missed other daring escapades, but the shenanigans seemed to have ended. The kids had a great time. The girls slid off their shoes within the first fifteen minutes, bemoaning how uncomfortable high heels were. Watching them barefoot and wearing tiaras, Tiffanie reminded herself how fun life could be, especially if headpieces were involved. She needed to find her joy again. Phineas’s handsome face popped into her mind. Yeah, she needed to enjoy herself too.