Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Hinges squeaked in the distance, alerting Jane to a new arrival. Her pulse spiked at the sound of heavy footsteps. Familiar footsteps. Tremors swept through her limbs, but she managed to close the door to the fridge without toppling. Conrad entered the kitchen a second later, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe.
He met her gaze and immediately tensed. His expression… he looked as if he’d just taken a punch to the stomach. “What’s wrong?” he demanded, zooming over to run his fingers down her arm as if assessing her for an injury. He glanced at Susan. “What’s wrong with her?”
That his first instinct was to comfort and protect only quadrupled Jane’s guilt. Yes, guilt. This man… He deserved an amazing girlfriend. Someone unafraid of love, who would devote herself to ensuring he received all the affection he’d missed as a child.
She swallowed a barbed lump in her throat. If she were truly his friend, as she claimed, she would matchmake for him, just like she did with Beau, and find him the perfect partner. Could she?
“Nothing’s the matter.” Jane gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, wishing she could throw herself against his chest and hug him. “I’m just glad you’re home, that’s all.”
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, allowing his thumb to continue to stroke the wayward lock. A moment later, he stopped with a jerk, as if realizing what his actions spelled out for everyone in the room.
He still cared about her.
Before she could panic, he melted her with a slow, confident smile and drew her closer, tucking her against his side. Too weak to protest, she leaned against him and breathed in his scent. Because of the curse, they could never be a couple. Because of her greedy heart, she doubted she could pair him with someone else. But. She might have to force herself to do it. In the meantime, she could and would give him good memories of a loving family, friends and holidays filled with warmth and cheer… before saying goodbye after Christmas.
Yes. The smartest path. The only route able to save his life and her heart.
Releasing him required every ounce of her willpower, but she did it. Jane turned to Susan. “Please come and celebrate Thanksgiving with us on Thursday. You and Wyatt. Beau will be here. And maybe three of his–our–friends.” Perhaps she could even locate Beau’s mysterious lady friend Sora.
“Oh, I would love to,” Susan said, “but I’ve already agreed to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family.”
No matter. Jane refused to be deterred. “You’re coming, right?” she asked Conrad.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “I’ll even help you cook.”
Heart thudding, she intoned, “Excellent. Well. Now that that’s settled, I’ll leave you two alone to talk. I’ve got a treasure to find, after all.” After offering an I’m-completely-harmless smile to both Susan and Conrad, she rushed to the stairs.
“Jane,” he called, but she didn’t respond.
She shut herself inside her bedroom and leaned against the door, already mentally exhausted. It was decided. She would, in fact, find Conrad his perfect woman to love and cherish. His own personal treasure.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Swans a-swimming are so graceful, elegant and lovely. Reminds me of a bride on her wedding day. And like two swans in love who press their heads together, forming a heart, a husband and wife twine their fingers, forming a bond.
–Lily Ladling’s Holiday Advice for Ladies Cursed in Love
The next morning, the day before Thanksgiving, Jane awoke with a new purpose. Forget that she might be related to Tiffany. According to the Headliner, Ms. Hotchkins had left town to be with family. Meaning, there’d be no more surprise confrontations. Jane planned to take full advantage.
Today she hunted for gold and a girlfriend for Conrad. Yes, she was very aware of her nonexistent success record with matchmaking, but she was determined to get this right. Who better to succeed with than Conrad? He deserved a good woman. The best. Something Jane would fight to ensure he got. Because that’s what good friends did for each other.
In fact, she’d start with this most noble of quests.
She licked suddenly dry lips and knocked on his bedroom door. Rolex came dashing over to join her.
Cheddar barked from behind the barricade. A groan followed. “Is this business or pleasure, Jane?”
“Pleasure. But also business. Mostly business.”
Another groan. “Come back in a few hours then.”
Oh no! Was Conrad sick? He’d sounded sick. Concern swamped her, and she knocked with more force. “I’m coming in on the count of three to take your temperature,” she informed him. “Be ready.” Or not. “One.”
“It’s too early for business,” he mumbled.
Too early? She double checked the time on her phone and frowned. “It’s barely five a.m., and our Thanksgiving desserts aren’t going to bake themselves. Besides, we haven’t gotten to spend much time together lately, so we’re overdue for a chat. Therefore, if you aren’t coming down with a debilitating disease, I expect you to be in the kitchen in twenty minutes or less. Or else!”