Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
She approaches me with caution and a little chilliness. “I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with you, Mr. Knight. How is it that you are acquainted with Ms. Cane?”
“She lives next door to my sister.”
“Are you sure you are talking about my Annabella Cane? Because she’s an artist who lives in Soho.”
“Lived, past tense. But then her apartment was tossed by an intruder, and you moved her down to Northpoint. She told me all about it.”
“She did?” Nina’s skepticism turns to irritation. “How impulsive of her. But I suppose that is an artist for you. They are ruled by their emotions rather than reason. Why are you here? Did something new happen?”
“Other than my sister’s chickens not laying eggs and Annabella agreeing to marry me, not really.”
“Chickens…marriage?” Nina’s eyes look like they are about to fall out in surprise, and I don’t think it’s because of the chickens.
“Yeah, we’re marrying, and I suspect that Bell is going to be knocked up soon. We’re certainly putting in every effort.” I smirk. “Because of that, I need to wrap up this stalker thing quickly. I can’t have an assailant running around and worrying my newly pregnant wife. What can you tell me about him?”
“You are going to have to leave now,” Nina replies. She waves her hand in the air to presumably gesture for security to come. The guard at the front door starts in our direction. “I have no idea who you are, and Annabella has not been gone long enough to meet a man and decide to marry him. You’re obviously an opportunist who is taking advantage of a delicate artist. I won’t allow that to happen. I have too much invested—I mean, I care too much about her to see her ruined by a man.” She spits out the last word as if it’s laced with poison.
“I’d think you would be more concerned that this stalker hasn’t been caught. I suggest we work together to solve this.”
“I did not move Annabella away from one dangerous man to be exploited by another.”
The guard appears at her elbow. “Ma’am?”
“Escort this man out by any means necessary and make sure he is never allowed inside again.” She narrows her eyes at me. “I will not have Annabella sullied by the likes of you.”
CHAPTER 18
BELL
“You knit too?” Marly asks excitedly. I glance up to see she’s poked her way into another one of my boxes, having found a starter knitting kit I bought a while back.
I thought I might try it out, but that was two years ago and it’s still in its original box. I tossed it in with all my other stuff when I was rushing to move, thinking maybe this time I could actually give it a go.
“No, I don’t knit. I’ve thought about it.” I’m always interested in trying to create things with my hands. Some things I’m great at, others—like cooking—I suck at. That applies to building any type of furniture as well.
“I can teach you!” Marly is about to literally burst at the seams. I know how much she loves to knit. She even gave me a blanket she made that is now draped over my sofa. She does beautiful work.
“I mean, if you really want to, we can give it a go one day.” For some reason, I’m pretty sure I’m going to be terrible at this, but she’s bouncing on her heels at the idea of teaching me, so I can’t say no.
“One day? Why not now?” Marly is already putting her coat on.
I want to keep painting ornaments and decorating. I haven't been excited about the holidays since I lost my parents, but now I can’t help but think about Christmas morning with Marly and Jackson. A big reason I’ve been able to bond so quickly with them is because they also lost their parents. I loved how Jackson really took Marly under his wing to take care of her. It just lets me know that one day he’s going to be a good father.
I had Nina, but she’s a bit prickly. I never even thought once to invite her over for the holidays. The first few years after my parents passed I spent with some friends, but I felt odd, like I was intruding on their family event. I’m sure it was my own insecurities, but I often thought I’d see pity in their eyes when they looked at me, so I stopped going.
I wonder if Ted and David would want to join us too. They could bring Fluffy. He’s adorable. Maybe Jackson and I could get a dog or maybe a cat at some point. I could knit a little cat sweater to suggest the idea to Jackson.
“Okay, I’m down. Let’s do this.”
“Oh, we’re already doing this.” Marly pulls her keys out of her pocket before unarming my alarm. “I’m going to run home and grab some stuff. Also some food. You’re a terrible cook.”