Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
My God, that voice was awful. I hid my mouth behind a cookie and mumbled, “I’ve got some allergy medicine in my bag that causes drowsiness if you want it.”
He laughed.
“I’m serious. It knocks Elara right out when she’s whiny.”
“Are you telling me you drug my niece?”
“I’m telling you she has allergies, and if your girlfriend keeps whining, I’m afraid my milk’s going to come in.”
He looked horrified. “Don’t talk to me about your boob milk, Meyers.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please. Boobs serve a higher purpose than entertaining you, Barrett. Grow up.”
“Barrett, I want to go!”
He growled and fished his keys out of his pocket. “Get your coat,” he snapped, ushering her out of the kitchen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he drove her out to the middle of nowhere and left her there.
Aunt Bethany, would you like to say grace?
Dinner was a little too somber for my liking. The china was gorgeous, and the tablescape was over the top, but there was a shroud of awkwardness cloaking the festivities. This was probably on account of all the unnecessary formalities and how sleepy some people were from drinking since dawn.
There was no normal chatter. No pass the potatoes or this year I’m grateful for… Unfamiliar servants served the food in silence. The music was some orchestra crap instead of Judy or Bing or even Mariah. And why the hell did I have five forks at my place setting?
“Where’s Marta?” I asked when I realized she wasn’t seated at this cold Citizen Cane table.
Remington frowned. “She’s eating with her family, Meyers.”
But we were her family. “Isn’t this table big enough for her and Raoul to join us? They’re only two little people.”
Some unfamiliar guests glanced up from their plates as another course was butlered about the table. Remington’s grip tightened around his spoon. I met his stare head-on, still pissy with him about his behavior the night before.
I glanced at Odette. She wasn’t her usual pleasant self today, and I worried she might have figured out what Remington was up to at the party. He was such a fool. The man didn’t have a clue how to keep a good woman.
“So,” my mother said, trying to break the chill in the room. “Did anyone watch the game today?”
I jumped on the distraction. “I watched the first quarter.”
Xander met my stare and smiled. “Do you like football, Rayne?”
“I like big men in tight pants.”
Seraphina laughed, and Hale scowled. Barrett glared suspiciously at Xander.
I shrugged and stuffed a sauteed bean in my mouth. “No other football fans at the table?”
Hale cleared his throat and wiped his mouth. “We have a game planned for tomorrow in the west field.” He cleared his throat. “Hopefully, my pants are tight enough for you.”
My grin widened. “You guys are playing football?”
“It’s tradition,” Barrett explained. “The winner gets Leilani Falls.”
I frowned. “Who’s Leilani, and why is she falling?”
“It’s a private island,” Hale explained. “The winning team gets it for the year. Sort of like a timeshare.”
“Well, that’s neat.” I liked islands. “Are you any good? I’m assuming the island’s nice.”
“It’s gorgeous,” Phina said. “Just outside of Bora Bora. Remember the year we had it? That was the best winter.”
“The year you were caught with the Tahitian groundskeeper?”
“Shut up, Barrett.” Phina smiled nervously at Xander, but he showed no reaction to Barrett’s comment. “You’re such a jerk,” she hissed at her brother.
My dinner was delicious, but it bothered me that Marta wasn’t here for me to thank her. “Excuse me.” Like the wave at a baseball game, all the men stood when I stood. “Oh. I, uh…” I hitched a thumb over my shoulder. “I just need to check on something in the kitchen.”
“What is it, Meyers? One of the servants will get it for you.”
“It’s okay.” I left my napkin on my seat and left the formal dining room before anyone else could stop me.
When I pushed through the kitchen door I was greeted by laughter that quickly silenced. Raoul looked up and Marta’s smile shifted to concern. “Niña, do you need something?”
Hugo was eating with them. So I sat down. “I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
“Your dinner is okay?”
“My dinner is flippin’ delicious, Marta. I’m already fantasizing about the leftovers.”
She hugged me tight and kissed my head. “Good! You’re finished already?”
“No, but you guys were in here, and I wanted to say hi.”
The three of them looked at me like I was crazy.
“Rayne?” Hale appeared in the doorway and frowned. “What are you doing?”
“I was just checking on Marta and Raoul and Hugo.”
Marta dropped her gaze, but the men watched Hale. “Your dinner’s getting cold.”
The seating arrangement bothered me more than anyone else, including Marta. I sighed. Sometimes, I hated etiquette.
Kissing Marta’s dark hair, I hugged her again. “Thank you for cooking for me. The bean is very happy.”