Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Glancing around, I scouted out the nearest exits. A door across the room to the left. The door behind me, which I’d just walked through with Patty. Then there was one, two…three windows. I could easily escape through any of them if need be.
Tammy sat down next to me. “Don’t worry, you’re going to fall in love with these women.”
As each woman sat down, I took them in before leaning toward Tammy. “Did that one make a note about me after she took my picture?” I asked in a hushed tone.
“Shannon? Yes. She likes to journal everything, especially the first time she meets you. She’s also our resident photographer. Shannon captures all the important moments in the group. Especially if you break down and curl up into a fetal position on the mat. Those are one of her favorite shots to get. She’ll poke the beast if she thinks you’re on the edge, just to get a good shot.”
My hand flew up to my mouth. “Oh my gosh! Who curled up in a fetal position?”
“Me, for starters. When I found out I was pregnant for the second time. A few others have found themselves in a similar position for one reason or another.”
I couldn’t help but giggle.
More women sat down around the circle. One of them happened to be Rose. I breathed a little easier. Even with Tammy and Patty here, it was nice to see another face I knew.
Patty cleared her throat. “Ladies of the circle, this is Emma Middleton.”
They all smiled at me. Lifting my hand, I gave them my best grin. “Hello, ladies. It’s a pleasure.”
Patty walked up to Shannon. She was for sure the youngest of the group. She was also stunningly beautiful. Her blonde hair was up in the most adorable ponytail. “This is Shannon.”
Shannon nodded and flashed me a wide grin. It was the type of smile that forced you to smile back, even if you were in the worst possible mood.
“Then you have Landy here.”
Landy looked to be my age and she waved very enthusiastically. She had light brown hair that was pulled into a messy bun. Her warm blue eyes made me feel comfortable at once.
I waved back.
“This is Erin. She’s quiet, but don’t let that fool you.”
Erin’s cheeks turned red. She was also very pregnant. Another beautiful woman, with brown hair and eyes the color of fall. I couldn’t tell if they were brown, hazel, or a mix of both.
“Hi, Erin,” I said as she waved.
Patty made her way over to an older woman, who looked to be in her early forties. She was stunning and had a body I would kill for. Her blonde hair was fashioned into a French twist, and she looked like she was ready to take on the world. “This is Cara. She runs a book blog and is obsessed with exercise.”
Cara held up a book and asked, “Do you like to read, Emma?”
“I do,” I replied.
“How much can you bench press?” Her accent sounded very southern.
“Ahh…I’m not sure,” I answered with a shrug.
She winked at me. “We’ll fix that soon enough, darlin’.”
Tammy chuckled next to me.
“Moving on,” Patty said as she stopped in front of Rose. “This is Rose, whom you’ve met.”
I waved, and Rose returned the gesture.
“You know Tammy, you know me, and with Emma, that rounds us out to eight ladies. We are whole again!”
Amens filled the air, and Shannon made a note in her journal.
“Whole again?” I asked Tammy in a whispered voice.
“Patty has a weird thing about even numbers.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Emma, welcome to our group. Would you like to tell us a little something about yourself?” Patty asked.
My mouth dropped open a bit and I glanced around the circle.
Tammy nudged me to stand. “Do it now and get it over with, or Patty won’t let it go.”
Slowly standing, I wrung my hands together. “Well, I’m Emma Middleton, I moved here from Dallas, Texas.”
“Praise God, another Southerner,” Cara stated.
I grinned and nodded. “Yes, born and raised in Texas, but moved around a bit before settling in Dallas.”
Cara lifted her hands in a pumping gesture.
“Go on, sweetheart,” Patty said, shooting Cara a warning look.
“I’m currently working for Aiden Bishop as his nanny.”
Shannon made another note. I couldn’t help but notice she wore a smile on her face and mouthed the word, nanny.
“So, you’re single?” Landy asked with a smile.
“Yes.”
“Dating anyone?” Patty asked, although she already knew that answer.
Pulling my brows in, I stared at her. “Um, no. Not interested in dating anyone.”
Whispers quickly filled the air as the women made comments to one another. I looked around at them all and couldn’t help but shake my head and smile.
Patty motioned for me to go on. I cleared my throat and continued, “I moved to Estes Park because my father used to bring me and my mother here when I was younger. I have fond memories of the town and thought it would make a great place to…to, um…”