Chapter 6
six
. . .
Winnie
It had been one week since I’d started working for Archer Chadwick.
I’d gotten a lot of writing done during the day while Melody was at school, and I enjoyed my time with her when I’d pick her up. She and I had a ton of fun when we were together, and she’d helped me make dinners this week. I’d taught her some of my tricks of the trade.
Archer was appreciative of the meals I’d prepared this week, yet he always remained very professional around me.
As soon as we’d finish eating, he’d tell Melody to say good night to me, which was my cue to leave.
We didn’t spend any time together when she wasn’t around, which was probably very normal for a nanny.
This was my first time in a gig like this, so I was following his lead.
I’d make breakfast, and he’d thank me, and then he’d take her to school, and I’d start writing.
He wanted that time with his little girl, and I respected that.
And then I’d pick her up from school and take her to her riding lessons, or dance class, and we’d come home and get homework done before we’d start dinner.
I’d even made my first friend in Rosewood River.
Wren Waterstone was Melody’s riding instructor, and we’d hit it off immediately. Melody went over to the ranch twice a week, and I loved hanging out and watching her.
Archer had asked me last night if I was certain it was okay if I joined them in Paris, and of course I was more than okay with it.
I mean, it’s Paris. Who wouldn’t be okay with it?
So Wren had invited me today to the Honey Biscuit Café, which my aunt and uncle owned, to join her and her friends for what they called a “boozy book brunch.” She wanted me to meet them, as they were all going to Paris for Archer’s cousin Rafe and his fiancée Lulu’s wedding.
Lulu was in this group, and she was obviously the bride, and the other women were all going as guests.
I was going as the nanny.
But it would still be nice to know them before we traveled together.
She’d asked if I was a reader, and I’d shared that I was an avid reader.
She’d inquired about my writing, since obviously Archer had mentioned it to his brother.
I’d told her that I was working on a new book, but I was fairly private about my career as a romance author, mostly because it was still new and I was still finding my footing with it, even though the first two books that had released had been more successful than I’d ever imagined.
Thank you, BookTok.
I pulled the door open, and my aunt Edith came walking over and opened her arms before I stepped in for a hug. My aunt and uncle had always been great to me, as my dad and his brother had always been very close. They visited us a couple of times a year, and I’d always looked forward to seeing them.
“It’s so good to see that beautiful face,” Aunt Edith said.
“Now she’s so busy with her new job and working on her book, we’ll barely see her,” Uncle Oscar grouched as he came around the corner and pulled me into a bear hug.
“I saw you both yesterday,” I said, laughing, because I’d come by to have lunch with them.
“Well, we know if we pour on the guilt you’ll keep coming around.” He chuckled.
“I’m happy to keep coming around.”
“Is that ex-husband of yours leaving you alone?” my uncle asked, his tone more serious now.
I sighed. “Yep. The divorce is final, so there’s nothing left to discuss.”
“Good. I never liked him,” he said.
“Stop giving her a hard time. Let her go enjoy brunch with the girls.” Aunt Edith swatted him in the arm before she turned to greet some customers when they walked in.
“All right. They’re in the booth in the back. It’s where they always host their little club meetings,” he grumped as I gave him a kiss on the cheek and made my way to the back of the restaurant.
Wren jumped up when she saw me, and she started the introductions. Wren was gorgeous with long blonde hair, and she also happened to be the eventing world champion. She was retired from competition now and lived with Archer’s brother, Axel, and they were engaged to be married.
“Winnie, this is Henley. She’s married to Easton.” I knew Easton was one of Archer’s cousins, since I’d been filled in on the family tree from Melody. She gave me a hug and squeezed my hands as if we were old friends.
“It’s so great to meet you. We’re absolutely thrilled that Archer found a new nanny, and that you’re coming with us to Paris.”
“Me too,” I gushed.
“Speaking of Paris. I’m Lulu, and I’m the one getting married.
” She stepped out of the booth wearing a black jumpsuit.
Her hair was in a loose knot at the nape of her neck as she leaned forward and gave me a hug.
“We’re thrilled that you’re going to join us.
So, meet the rest of our little boozy book club—this is Emilia. ”
Emilia slipped out of the booth next and hugged me as well. I knew she was Bridger’s girlfriend, and she owned the flower shop, from what I’d gathered. But Archer had mentioned that she was also an interior designer, and she’d decorated the casita for him.
“Emilia, it’s great to meet you. I heard you’re responsible for making the casita the cutest guest room I’ve ever seen.” I leaned forward and gave her a hug.
“Thank you. I loved working on that project. It’s such a charming space, and it’s got its own vibe from the main house, right?” she asked with a laugh.
“It sure does. I love it.”
“And this is Eloise,” Wren said as the last woman slipped out of the booth. They all started sliding back in as she smiled and gave me a hug as well.
They were a warm group.
“Nice to meet you,” I said. “Melody told me that you fixed up her uncle Clark when he was broken.”
The table erupted in laughter.
I’d learned that Clark was one of the best hockey players in the NHL, and Eloise was the team physical therapist.
“Something like that, yes.” She smiled as she motioned for me to slide in beside Wren, and then she took the other seat beside me.
“So, Wren said that you’re a big reader, but we’re dying to know what you read,” Emilia asked.
“I read everything, really.” I shrugged, because I’d dipped my toes into a lot of genres.
“How about we cut to the chase. We’ve heard you’re an author, and we’re dying to know what you write.” Lulu held her hand up as Aunt Edith dropped off a mimosa for me. They were all sipping theirs, and we quickly paused to place our orders.
Lulu rubbed her hands together as if she was waiting for an answer once my aunt stepped away.
“I actually write romance.”
They all smiled.
“That’s our favorite genre,” Henley said.
“Okay, I have to confess…” Lulu reached for her mimosa and took a sip before continuing. “I googled you and I couldn’t find any of your books. So tell us how to find you.”
“I can’t believe you just said that. We just met her,” Henley said as she pressed her hand over her forehead.
“She lives with Archer. She’s practically family. She writes romance and we read romance.” Lulu shrugged. Everyone chuckled and turned to me, as if waiting for a response.
Thankfully, six plates of pancakes and eggs and French toast were set down, along with a few refills on the mimosas. It was the perfect distraction as we all dug into our food.
“Did anyone read ‘The Taylor Tea’ this morning?” Emilia asked.
“Yes. You’re the hot news of the week, Winnie,” Eloise said with a big smile on her face.
“‘There’s a new lady in town, and she’s just been hired by Rosewood River’s favorite single dad,’” Lulu said, her tone dramatic as she waggled her brows at me and glanced down to read whatever she’d pulled up on her phone.
“They just added that little part in at the end, so everyone knows you’re here. ”
“What’s ‘The Taylor Tea’?” I asked.
“It’s this gossip column in the local newspaper that my parents own. Some people hate it. Others love it. And we’ve all been in there at one point or another.” Emilia shrugged.
“And we don’t know who writes it?” I asked before reaching for my drink and taking another sip.
“Nope. And it’s not for lack of effort.” Eloise shook her head and winced. “We nearly got arrested for breaking into the Rosewood River Review and trying to find out not that long ago.”
“We escaped easily,” Lulu said over a fit of laughter. “But back to the original question—how do we find your books?”
“Well, I only have two books out right now. The third is written and releasing in a few months, and I’m writing book four now. So I’m still very much a newbie author,” I said, clearing my throat because for whatever reason, talking about my writing career still made me nervous.
My ex-husband had deemed me a failure, and that negative voice still found its way in my head sometimes, even after I’d achieved success.
“So how do we find the first two?” Lulu pressed.
“Lu, maybe she doesn’t want you to read her books,” Henley said, giving me an apologetic smile. “There’s no pressure to tell us anything you aren’t comfortable with.”
“No. It’s not a big deal. I just still get a little nervous because it’s new. I write under a pen name.” I blew out a breath. “Hannah Chase.”
“Shut the motherfucking front door!” Lulu whisper-hissed, keeping her voice low so no one would hear her but making no attempt to hide her surprise. Eloise and Emilia squealed, Henley gasped, and Wren stared at me with her mouth hanging open.
My gaze moved around the table, taking them in. “What am I missing?”
“We’re superfans!” Lulu threw her hands in the air. “We’re anxiously waiting for Whisper Sweet Nothings to release.”
“It’s Hunter’s book, and I cannot wait for it,” Wren said. “I just reread the first two books again. That’s how obsessed I am.”
“Same.” Eloise used her hand to fan her face. “I cannot believe we’re eating brunch with Hannah Chase.”
“You don’t put your face on your social media,” Henley said. “We’ve been stalking you, and here you are at the Honey Biscuit Café?”
My mind was blown. Truly blown. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that people were actually reading my books.
“Are you okay?” Henley put a hand on Emilia’s shoulders as she just sat there gaping at me.
“I’m speechless. I was searching your website for any upcoming events because we wanted to meet you,” she said.
“Well, now I’m speechless.” I chuckled. “And if you want, I’ll have my publisher send you an early copy to your Kindles.”
Lulu leaned forward on the table. “I’m a vault. We all are. Please, send the book. We’re dying for it.”
I could feel my cheeks heat. I couldn’t believe they knew who I was.
This was beyond surreal.
“And that title,” Henley said. “Whisper Sweet Nothings. I cannot even wait.”
“It’s perfection. And we get to read it early.” Emilia fell back in the booth and shook her head with disbelief.
“I am so here for a single-dad romance with Hunter. Let’s go,” Lulu said, holding up her mimosa and waiting for us to join her.
“Cheers to meeting our favorite author and new book bestie,” Wren said.
“I’ll drink to that,” Eloise squealed as we all clinked our glasses together.
I’ll drink to that, too.
This fresh start was feeling better every day.