Page 41 of Last Chance Seduction
I snorted but knew there would be no stopping them.I knew the Montgomerys.Had known them my entire life.It didn’t matter that I’d been away for two years.They weren’t letting me go now.
Even if I didn’t want to think about what that would mean with my fake-but maybe not so fake-boyfriend slash neighbor.
I knew if I kicked these women out and said I wanted to be alone, they would leave.Of course, they would come back as quickly as possible, perhaps sending other Montgomerys or reinforcements to try to either get me out or remind me that I’m not alone.
Sometimes I wasn’t sure how I had gotten so lucky with this group of people.I didn’t know why I was able to do certain things.To be here.But I had come back to Colorado for a reason.Maybe I had no blood family, but the Montgomerys were damn good at becoming a found family.
I already had on cute leggings, so I switched from my tunic to my long sweater, and stuffed my feet into knee boots, and called it a win.It was chilly out, but not heavy coat chilly.Of course if I was from another state, I would probably be wrapped up in a parka.
That thought made me smile, and I ran back downstairs to see both women taking turns cuddling with Mr.Darcy.
“That’s a very spoiled cat,” I said with a snort.
“He’s just misunderstood,” Brooklyn teased.“But now I really do want a puppy.”
We said our goodbyes to Mr.Darcy before we all clambered into Brooklyn’s SUV.
“I’m so glad that you were able to get a new car this year, Brooklyn,” Eliza put in from the back seat.She had forced me into the front seat, and one didn’t tell Eliza Wilder-Montgomery no.
“Me too.It worked out that the work truck should just be for work.It’s covered in dirt and other raw materials constantly, and sometimes I want to be able to go out to dinner and not end up with mud stains on my pants.”
“That wouldn’t be awkward at all,” I teased and Brooklyn shuddered.“I can’t believe that you are a landscape architect.I can’t even keep a plant alive.”
“Your gardens look really great for winter.But if you ever want any help, just let me know.”
“You work more hours than I do from what I hear.”
“Maybe.But I like helping friends.And that’s what we are.Friends.”
“So did you always want to be a landscape architect?”
“I always loved playing in dirt, so yes.I love creating and figuring out what to do next to make someone’s dream home or business a true dream.I could ask you the same about being a voice actor.”
Eliza and I laughed, but I let out a breath.“I was always great at drama and being on stage as a kid.I enjoyed math and science, but history and English were where it was at for me.And then moving into the arts was where everything clicked.But I realized that I liked making voices and using my voice for good over wanting to act completely.If that makes sense.”
“So community theater isn’t for you?”Eliza asked.
I shook my head.“No.I thought about it when I was in college, but we had to work long hours in order to afford college, so it really wasn’t my thing.”
As we pulled into the parking lot, Brooklyn squeezed my hand.“I’m still sorry about Emily.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat as we piled out of the SUV.“Thank you.Every day is terrible without her, but the holidays may get worse.”
“I understand.”Eliza moved forward and gripped my hands.“Loss changes a person.”Something crossed her eyes, but I didn’t ask.Everybody had their own secrets, their darkness.Their loss.
“So back to you, were you always good at growing things?”
“Actually yes.My dad is an architect for the Montgomerys, since you know he is one,” Brooklyn said with a laugh.“And my aunt Megan does what I do.So I would follow her around, and things just clicked for me.”
“And your mom owns a bookstore, right?Downtown?”
“Yes.Beneath the Cover.It’s still going strong, and I loved hanging out there as a kid.Hell, I still love hanging out there now.”She winced.“Sorry, Aunt Eliza.Didn’t mean to curse in front of you.”
Eliza did her best to look offended, but the laughter in her eyes spilled the truth.“I mean how dare you.An actual curse word in front of me.I’ve never heard it before.”
We each laughed as we walked through the outdoor mall, stopping for lunch halfway through, and shopping to our heart’s content.There were carolers, a small string quartet, and decorations everywhere that just breathed life into the holidays.And it wasn’t just Christmas of course.Hanukkah started the day after Christmas, and there were plenty of other holidays that happened within this three-week period.So watching everybody, even a little stressed as they walked around, was entertaining.
“So did Lexington always want to become an architect?”I asked Eliza and could have rightly bit off my tongue.
