Million Dollar Baby by Janice Maynard

Author:Janice Maynard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-08-15T14:50:40+00:00

Eleven

They wasted no time in heading for the Texas Cattleman’s Club. Austin found a prime parking spot, gave Brooke a quick kiss and ran off for his appointment. She stopped by her own car—still parked where it had been overnight—grabbed a couple of items she needed out of the trunk and went inside to change into her work clothes, engulfed in a haze of giddy anticipation and cautious optimism.

The sun was shining, and the temps were balmy. It was a perfect day to paint, though she missed Austin already. In the distance, she could see the stage addition taking shape. It was going to be a push, but Austin swore he would have everything ready in time for the auction. Already, the landscapers were putting down sod and laying out string and markers for the plants, both temporary and permanent, that would turn the gardens into a fall foliage paradise.

The whole thing was exciting. Not that Brooke would attend the auction itself. At least she didn’t think so. She certainly wasn’t going to bid on a bachelor. She would, however, make an extremely modest donation to the charity, despite her financial woes. This event was important to Alexis, and Brooke wanted to support her friend in every way she could.

Because she was so close to finishing the entire outdoor project, she opted for peanut butter crackers at lunch. To appease her conscience, she resolved to have a healthy dinner when she got home.

The day flew by. She was in the zone. Anytime her heart was in the midst of a painting, it was as if the brush moved on its own. At four o’clock, she was limp with exhaustion but filled with elation. Two huge outdoor walls now burst with life and color.

As she cleaned up her supplies and packed everything away, she kept an eye out for Austin, but he was nowhere to be found. She told herself not to be silly. Going home to face her parents was something she could do on her own. She didn’t need a man to help with that.

In the end, the expected confrontation never materialized. She had completely forgotten that her mother had a huge real estate conference in Las Vegas. Her father had gone along to play golf. Brooke glanced at the calendar in the pantry. They had flown out at 3:00 p.m. Wouldn’t be back until Monday night.

She stood in the empty kitchen with an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. Instead of facing an unpleasant weekend of arguments and emotional upheaval, all she had to do was pack her things and say goodbye to her childhood home. This time when she walked out, it would be for good.

There were sweet memories in the huge house. Not everything had been a struggle. But unfortunately, the lovelier moments of her childhood had been somewhat obliterated by events in recent years.

The cook had left two different casseroles in the fridge. Brooke picked the one with carrots and other veggies. She needed to eat well.

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