Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
After pressing the button to activate the soundproof and visual barrier between the front and back, Beau cupped Maisie’s face. “Hey, you. I’ve missed you.” Leaning forward, he kissed her deeply before moving a slight distance away to look down at her beautiful face. “No more, Maisie. I’m not going to wait any longer.”
“I’m waiting to see the magic wand you wave to make all the barriers disintegrate,” she said sarcastically.
“You need your bottom warmed,” he warned.
“Hey, just pointing out the reality of your position, family, and job, versus my work, apartment, and background. The reporters would have a heyday dragging my name through the muck as they interview my dad in the hovel he won’t let me move him out of.”
“We’ll deal with all the other stuff. What’s important is your dad. Is he safe?”
“Yes. He’s good. He’s happy in the house he lived in with Mom. He misses her so much.”
“I’m sure the whole family does, including you,” Beau commented, tucking a lock of Maisie’s long brown hair behind her ear.
“I do miss her. Things change so fast. I missed out on so much of the last of her life.”
“Your mother was so proud of you. She didn’t tell you she was sick because she knew you’d leave your studies and make her do stuff she didn’t want to do.”
“True. She made her choice not to pursue treatment for breast cancer.”
“It was her choice. You, however, have no choice. Have you had a mammogram?”
“I’m not old enough for that yet, Beau.”
“You are with a family history of breast cancer. I’ve made an appointment for you with the leading specialist here. You’ll go on Monday.”
She stared daggers at him and he expected her to refuse flat out. Beau was prepared for this reaction and wouldn’t back down. To his surprise, the fire died out in her eyes and she nodded. “Thank you. I need to go.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re here so I can take care of you.”
“I don’t need a keeper, Beau.” The fire he was used to seeing rekindled in her narrowed gaze.
“You need a Daddy.”
“You! When are you going to realize that as much as we both crave this relationship, it won’t ever happen?”
“When I take my last breath. We’ve waited long enough. Both of our lives are more settled now than ever before. I don’t care what others say,” Beau said quietly.
“And if your political campaign tanks?” she asked with an arched eyebrow.
“I’ll fall back on law and live happily with the brilliant scientist that has made my heart beat faster since third grade.”
“Right! If I remember correctly, there were a lot of cootie shots that first semester our group sat together,” she reminded him.
“The first ones might have been truthful. The others were simply to throw everyone off track.”
She laughed and looked out the window as they drove along. “Avondale never changes, does it?”
“Believe it or not, it does. We have eleven gas stations now.”
“Ooh, that’s like a big city,” she admired sarcastically.
“You’d like us to live in the Washington, DC area?”
“I’m not coming back to live here, Beau.”
“Permanently, no. I do need to maintain a home here.” He continued in a light conversational tone, “Perhaps our friends will be here as well. And your father is getting older, as are my folks. It’s good to check up on them as well.”
“Hmm,” she hummed, not revealing her thoughts. Looking around, she noticed Beau wasn’t taking his normal route home.
“Isn’t this the way to the old high school make-out spot?” she asked, sitting up straight to look around. “Beau, we don’t need to stop and smooch before the reunion.”
“It used to be. I bought this land as an investment years ago. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, when I added all the lighting and paved this road, the kids found another local place to hang out with their friends.”
“The lights would do that,” Maisie said with a laugh. “You never brought me here to make out.”
“It was a good way to avoid all the rumors that ran through Avondale High. I cared too much about you to have our activities mentioned by the gossips that noted every couple who parked here,” Beau assured her.
“Smart. A future politician can’t have skeletons in his closet,” Maisie commented.
“I never hid my feelings toward you, Maisie.”
She glanced at Beau, struck by his flat tone. “I know, Beau. You’ve always taken care of me. I shouldn’t have insinuated that you were more concerned about your political career.”
“It’s never been more important than you,” he said, taking her hand and squeezing it. “About a year ago, it seemed to be a good time to build my dream house. I bought this parcel of land and held onto it until recently. What we’re driving through now will soon belong to others.”
“Won’t that create a privacy issue for you? Or a security one?”