Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
He sighs and braces his hands on his hips. “I should be fired for insubordination.”
“You should,” I agree and smile when his brown eyes fly to mine. “But I won’t fire you because they deserved the dressing down, and it showed me that you care about more than just the paycheck.”
“It’s a fucking fault of mine.”
“I don’t see it that way. You’re protecting my family, and I want you to care about the people you work for. It shows integrity and ethics.”
He sighs now, and I feel a weight lift off my shoulders because I know he’s going to accept my offer to stay.
Thank God.
“I’ll raise your pay.”
“I don’t need more money,” he says. “I need the family to work with us instead of against us. It wasn’t just me today. It was Nick and every other man on staff, as well.”
“I understand that.”
“How are they?” he asks. “How are the princesses?”
“Exhausted. Shook up. But they’ll be okay, thanks to you.”
He exhales.
“Please stay, Liam.”
“I’ll stay.” He nods once. “On the condition that the crown doesn’t interfere with my work.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
I shake his hand, surprised to feel it still trembling. Yes, something happened in Liam’s past that led to this reaction. I won’t ask him to explain.
Not today.
***
“Ma’am, you can’t go in there!”
Callum and I stare at each other in response to the scuffle outside the front door. “What’s going on?” he asks.
“I have no bloody idea.”
We stomp to the front door, right behind Liam, who opens it. I’m surprised to see a woman with a riot of curly, red hair, her arms laden with bags, struggling with the security Liam has posted at the door.
“Release her,” I command. They both immediately let go of her arms. “What’s this about?”
“Hey.” She blows her hair out of her face. “This is like Fort Knox.”
“Maybe better,” Callum says and leans his shoulder against the door, crossing his arms over his chest and sending her a charming smile. “What’s your name, darling?”
“I’m Aspen Calhoun,” she says. “I heard about the emergency y’all had yesterday, and I thought I’d bring some coffee and pastries this morning. Oh, I’m the new owner of Drips & Sips.”
“Come in.” I glance back at Liam, who nods, and I gesture for Aspen to follow me into the house. I lead her to the kitchen where she sets the bags on the counter.
“You’re from the café,” Nina says as she walks into the room. She looks fresh and well-rested this morning, as if the events of yesterday afternoon didn’t happen. But I know she was up half the night with nightmares.
“I am,” Aspen says with a smile, and then she gets a good look at Nina, then me, and Christian sitting in a chair by the window. Her jaw drops. “No wonder you have good security. I just walked into Hollywood.”
“You didn’t know?” Nina asks as she helps Aspen unload her bags.
“No. There was some gossip in Drips yesterday afternoon because the search and rescue guys came in for coffee. They said it was you, and I knew you married a prince, but I honestly didn’t connect the dots. I’ve been so busy with this new business, I barely remember my own name.
“But I’ve been through the search and rescue thing before, and it’s so dang exhausting. I just thought it would be nice to not have to worry about breakfast.”
“Thank you,” Jenna says with a smile. “And, please, tell us more about buying Drips. We were afraid the new owner would change everything.”
I take a huckleberry scone and bite into it, enjoying the conversation.
“I’m not changing anything,” Aspen assures the girls. “I’ve worked there as a barista for about a year now, and I love it. The staff is great, the customers are fun. I might add some food items for lunch, but that’s all.”
“What made you decide to buy it?” Nina asks.
“It’s time I fit in somewhere,” Aspen murmurs and then pastes a smile on her pretty face. I glance up to find Callum watching her thoughtfully as he sips his coffee.
I know that look.
Callum thinks she’s hot.
“It made sense,” Aspen continues. “Anyway, I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I hope you enjoy.”
“Thank you so much,” Nina says with a smile and a wave as Liam walks Aspen to the front door. “I’m so glad someone nice bought it.”
“Me, too,” Jenna agrees, reaching for a second scone.
“What did I miss?” Ellie asks as she walks into the room.
“Food,” Callum says before rushing off to catch up with Aspen.
Ellie raises an eyebrow. “Was there a girl?”
“A pretty one,” Nina affirms. “Aspen Calhoun.”
“Irish,” Ellie says as she reaches for a scone. “Did she have red hair?”
“As a matter of fact, she does,” Jenna says.
“Callum’s always had a thing for redheads,” Ellie says. “Isn’t that right, Sebastian?”