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“Oh, um. Me too. About you, I mean. I’ve heard a lot about you,” I say.
“All good things I hope!” Paige giggles.
“Same?” I say, thinking of her infamous comment.
She gives me a funny look. “Yes, of course, silly. Why wouldn’t they be good?”
Charlie, always the one to iron out wrinkles in a conversation, says, “And you’re about to hear something even better, Paige. Kylie has a few talents that you might desperately need around here, and they will bring in a good amount for the home.”
Paige shoots me a saucy wink. “Oooh, do tell. Maybe some tricks you’ve picked up in Italy?”
So, she’s heard about my sexcapades at Fire.Stop blushing, Kylie. Deep breaths. “Nothing too scandalous. Just a little cleaning and organizing.”
Paige’s eyes light up. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I love to clean.”
“Oh my God, I cannot cook, and I hate to clean. And my cabinets are a disaster. Stuff falls out every time I open a door. I’m gonna win Kylie’s tonight. Bronson better be ready to dish out the big bucks. This prize is mine.”
“I’ll help you out, Paige,” I say. “Even if you don’t win.”
“Aww, you’re so sweet!” She raises a brow. “Too sweet to handle a rifle?”
“I’m sorry?” What’s she talking about?
Paige’s brown eyes light up. “We’re spending the day skeet shooting. A little get-to-know-you activity.”
“Oh, um…” I’d pictured the day being manicures and pedicures, or having our hair done. It’s fun to be pampered but this is so much better. “Shooting sounds fun.”
She continues, “Then afterward we’re going tubing down the river, and we have the cutest little insulated wine tumblers for the trip.”
“What’s tubing?” I ask.
“You’ve never been tubing?” Paige laughs. “Well, I guess floating downriver in a plastic tube is more of an American thing? It’s so fun! And a great way to get tan before an event. You tie these big inflatable tubes together, put a cooler of food and drinks in the middle tube, then just lie down in your bikini and let the river take you on a relaxing ride.”
Emilia grabs Paige’s arm. “Oooh, Paige, I hate to even ask, but is there any way we can do snowtubing instead of the river tubing? It’s my favorite.”
Paige shrugs. “I don’t see why we can’t do both.”
The sun shines on my face, a warm breeze fluttering the ends of my hair. “Snow?”
Emilia flashes me a grin. “They have their own sledding hill, complete with fake snow.”
“That’s amazing,” I say.
“With so many kids to entertain, we had the idea a few years ago. A big snowy hill they could sled and tube down. We figured it would keep the kiddos busy and wear them out.” Paige laughs. “But then the grownups realized they love it just as much.”
“Only we bring cups of spiked hot chocolate for our turns,” Emilia says.
We’ve reached the large group of women. Will they really like me? Or just tolerate me because they’re happy to finally see Cannon arrive to a family event with a woman on his arm?Deep breaths, Kylie, deep breaths.
I’m passed around, shaking hands and giving hugs. There’re so many introductions to make, by the time I reach the last Beauty, my cheeks ache from the smile plastered on my face.
Paige slips her arm through mine. “Ready to shoot a rifle for the first time?”
“It sounds fun,” I say. I think of the massive event they’ve put together for tonight. Surely there are last-minute jobs to do. I want to be helpful and pull my weight. “But what about preparing for the event tonight? Is there work to be done?”
Paige throws her hands in the air, her manner carefree and almost childlike. “Everything’s ready! The stage is set, the ballroom decorated, the caterers on standby. Even your gown has already been steamed. It’s been a long flight. I’ll show you to your rooms and you three can rest for a bit, freshen up, then we’ll head over to the field.”
