Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
China, Penny and Blanc clapped their hands in delight while Doug and Carlton made a show of groaning.
“We’ve already seen their outlandish behavior,” Carlton declared. “China and Blanc showed off their dancing skills to the guards. China tried to get Doug, who played her husband, to jitterbug with her.”
“That wasn’t even the worst of their behavior,” Doug said. “Penny chased one of those poor guards around a tree because he gave her a compliment.”
The three women erupted into laughter. Penny sobered, managing to look demure and innocent. “It’s called acting, Carlton. The three of us regularly star in plays at the theater. I managed to distract not only him but three others as well. They fell over themselves laughing at the darling boy. He was very young to be a security guard. I targeted him on purpose.”
“You targeted him because he was considered hot. How do I know this?” Carlton demanded. “Because the three of you went on and on ad nauseam about how truly hot he was.”
“Well, he was,” Penny defended them. “If I’m going to flirt and proposition a man, he’d better be hot or why waste my talents?” She patted Azelie’s hand. “I sacrificed for you, dear.”
“Sacrificed?” Doug spluttered. “You were having so much fun harassing that poor boy you forgot what your mission was.”
Maestro was listening to the familiar teasing between the widows and their male friends, but mostly he was watching Azelie’s face. She was happy. For those few moments, she’d forgotten the bruising and pain of her lip, thighs and ribs, enjoying the bantering between her friends.
“We’re immortalized on the video,” China declared. “I’ll want a copy of it to show to Shaila and David. They come to all our plays.”
“It was truly our finest acting,” Blanc agreed.
Carlton threw his hands into the air. “Save me, Andrii. Show me around your property while the sex-crazed lunatics review their performances.”
“I’m going with you,” Doug declared.
Maestro stepped between China and Blanc to gently cup the side of Azelie’s face that wasn’t so swollen. “Text me if you need me. I won’t be long.” He straightened. “Ladies, she tires easily. If you see she needs to rest, come into the living room. A friend is bringing dinner, and we have rooms available if you’d like to spend the night instead of driving all the way back to San Francisco tonight.”
He got the look from Azelie, her eyes adoring, her features soft with love. His heart nearly exploded in his chest. He had that beauty when he’d never considered it possible.
“Love you, Solnyshkuh. Be good while I’m gone.”
“I love you too, Andrii. The three of you behave yourselves.”
That brought laughter from all five of her friends. Bog, but he loved that. She’d already turned his cold house into a home. He’d gotten a miracle after all.