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“I can’t wait to see everyone,” she said.

It’d been since the holidays last December that she’d seen her parents. She should make more time to come visit, but it seemed as if the time flew by and everyone’s schedules were so busy.

“What a beautiful place to grow up,” Carson said.

“I’m sure your parents’ house in Boston is just as big,” she said. The one on the island was stunning but not anything nearthe size of her father’s home. But there weren’t a lot of massive houses on Amore Island that she had seen though she knew they existed. Most were owned by the Bonds too.

“Yes and no,” he said. “The land isn’t available in Boston as it is here. Even in the suburbs. Just having this space to run around is awesome. Is that a barn over there?”

“I went through a horse phase,” she said, giggling.

“There are still two horses in the barn,” Mario said. “Neighbors that use it and care for it. They ride in the rings too. Your father enjoys going out to watch.”

She hadn’t been aware of that. No one said a word.

“That’s wonderful,” she said. “I’m glad he takes a break from work for that.”

“He always loved watching you ride,” Mario said.

“I enjoyed it,” she said. “But then after college, there was no time.”

“I’ve never ridden a horse,” Carson said.

“We’ll have to take care of that,” she said. “If you want to add it to your list.”

“I think I might,” he said. “But not today.”

“No,” she said. “Not today. Too many other things going on.”

At least her heart rate had settled just like it did whenever she came on this property.

There really was no place like home.

25

CLASS AND PRESENCE

“Did you ride a golf cart around when you were a kid?” Carson asked Laine when they pulled in front of the main house. Mario had gone inside and Laine moved the cart over to a covered area close to the house. He assumed that was where it was kept most times.

“I did,” she said. “But I also liked to walk back and forth. It’s not that far.”

He was guessing it was a five-minute walk.

“You can see the houses from each other,” he said. “How many acres is this property?”

“It’s about thirty acres,” she said. “The houses are on the end of each side so about ten acres apart. It’s wider than it is long.”

Just like he could see the barn when they landed and a fenced-in riding area.

“This had to be such a great place to grow up,” he said.

“It was,” she said. “Let’s go meet my father.”

They walked in the back door, which led to the kitchen.

“Your father is still getting ready,” Mario said. “I went up to check. He just got out of the shower. He’d spent some time in the sauna.”

“Tell him I’m going to show Carson my house,” she said. “Are the keys still where they normally are kept?”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com