Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 144696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 579(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 579(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
“Oh my god, this is beautiful.” I gratefully breathed in the moisture, a welcome change from the dry car and airplane.
“I’m glad you like it,” Neil said with a smile as he pulled out a chair at the glass topped table in front of the fountain. He offered the seat to me, and I gave him a long-suffering sigh before I sank into it.
“I’m sorry, it was force of habit,” he said wearily. He took his own chair, between Emma and me. The round table was set beautifully with elegant china and delicate gold cutlery, both of which I expected were from some antique collection.
“I had them make us a Portabella curry and green rice,” Emma said, unfolding her linen napkin across her lap. “But Sophie, if you wanted something with meat, I’m sure it could be arranged.”
“No, I like mushrooms,” I said pleasantly.
“Emma has encouraged me to try a vegan diet, for the health benefits,” Neil explained, somewhat sheepishly.
“I think that’s a great idea.” I could tell my response had surprised them both. “What? I know that a vegan diet is good for people. I worked at a fashion magazine, believe me, diets came up.”
“Medical Staffing Solutions called while you were en route,” Emma continued, as a woman in a smart black blouse and skirt came in bearing a large silver tureen. She held it while Emma served herself, and my eyes boggled.
I could not get my head around the idea of living with a hired staff. It had taken me ages to get used to Neil’s housekeeper in New York, and even when I came to terms with the idea, I’d still cleaned up before she’d arrived in the mornings. I smiled at the woman, but all I could think was, Can I get them to do a musical number to welcome me, like in Annie?
“They said they’ll communicate directly with Dr. Grant’s office,” Emma went on. “Once you’ve seen him, of course. But expect to have at least one full time nurse staying with you around the clock.”
“Wow.” My eyes widened. “Your health system really is better here.”
“I’m a private patient,” Neil explained as he spooned the green rice concoction onto his plate. “And I’m hoping to have as much of my treatment as possible supervised at home. I don’t care for hospitals, and I don’t want to be in one any longer than necessary.”
The woman with the tureen came to stand beside me, and I looked up and said, “Um, thanks,” as I helped myself.
“When will everyone be arriving?” Neil asked Emma, and she looked up from her plate. While the rest of the meal was served and the wine was poured— a cruelty-free white wine, although I had never realized animal parts went into wine production— Emma ticked off the planned guests on her fingertips.
“Everyone should be in on the day. Nana and Fiona will come for dinner, mum will come then, too. Michael should get here tonight...” Emma’s voice rose a little in pitch as she tried to contain her squeefulness over her boyfriend. It was adorable.
“Of course, if anyone were to arrive a bit early, it would be him, wouldn’t it?” Neil said tightly. “I trust you had a bedroom opened for him?”
“I did. All the way over in the west wing, where sound cannot travel.” She took a sip of her wine, her eyebrows raised as she fixed her gaze on the table in front of her.
My face burned. So, she’d heard us having enthusiastic sex once. Would we ever be forgiven?
Neil cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Yes. Well. I assume you’ll be staying with him, then?”
“I think we’ll all be happier that way. But keep in mind, Nana and Fiona will be staying on your end.” Emma snorted as she dug into her food.
“And I’ll be sure to put your mother and Bertie next to you and Michael.” Neil smiled sweetly at Emma.
“Bertie isn’t coming.” She wiped her mouth, her expression going suddenly grim. “Things aren’t well between the two of them. They took separate vacations this year.”
“Val took a vacation?” Neil said this the same way he might have said, “Val grew another head?”
“Poor phrasing,” Emma corrected. “Bertie took a vacation, because mum wouldn’t.”
I had no idea who anyone was, so I kept my expression neutral and my head down.
Lunch was delicious, even if it was vegan. I have to admit, my midwestern upbringing has made it difficult for me to comprehend any meal without meat. But the curry was excellent, the green rice something I had definitely never tried before, and everything hit the spot after the overnight flight.
Still, my eyelids were drooping by the end of the meal, in part because I couldn’t follow the conversation. Neil had an easy, if slightly antagonistic, rapport with his daughter, and they discussed family and arrangements for the holidays with a single-minded efficiency. Neil had told me that Emma’s job with Global Wellness was to arrange high-profile events and press opportunities. I think she’d missed her true calling as a wedding planner, from the way she’d ruthlessly nailed down every detail of Christmas.