The Romance Challenge, Complete Series Box Set: BBW Hot Alpha Billionaire Romance Read Online Free Page B

you back from Florida? You want some shells? I'll
pick them right off the beach. And I'll even make sure no animals are
     inside
them."
    The grin widened, and this time she let me
touch her. I stroke her hair and vowed to earn the money we needed to help her.
I wanted to bring back the woman I knew and loved, the one who smiled at me now
with faith in her eyes.
     
    Sunday
     
    How did last week fly by so fast? I sat in
the airport, a bead of sweat rolling down my low back. I didn't even want to
bring a jacket, but it was too chilly in Chicago not to wear an outer layer. It
would turn into a blanket or pillow on the plane. Not like I could fall asleep,
though. I was way too excited. Only a three-hour flight, nonstop, thank
heavens. My nervous self didn't need to be roaming around another airport,
running to make a connection. I'd fly straight into Miami, where a car would
meet me (maybe a limo!), and then drive an hour to Key Largo.
     I managed to get everything finished on
my to-do list over the last week, without going bat-shit crazy. I'd picked up
my working uniforms on Friday and to my absolute relief, the shorts didn't look
too terrible. Much better than the sample the saleswoman had shown me, these
were cargo walking shorts and covered most of my thighs. The short-sleeve
cotton-blend shirts fit nicely and so did the pants. Not as loose as I wanted,
but not overly tight.
     Maybe the shorts were for outside work only.
How much of that would I be doing? I heard Florida stayed humid, even in the
fall. Imagine, being hot and sweaty outside in November. What a thing to be
worried about!
    I'd spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday
running around like a crazy girl to finish getting ready. I bought new
underwear and a nice bra, even though I'd vowed not to purchase any more
clothes until I lost weight. That hideous shopping session ended with a bottle
of wine and a comedy movie, to dull the pain of having looked in full-length
tri-fold mirrors for four hours under blazing bright lights. If I ever won the
lottery, I'd open a department store for big girls, with a huge selection of
clothes that fit right, soft, cheerful music playing, and no florescent bulbs. 
    My phone chirped and reminded me, time to
send my mom a text. Blerg. Best to get it over with or the guilt would nag at
me like a hungry cat.
    Hi mom. I'm going to Florida on business
for a week. Michelle is fine. Vicky will visit every day and report to me. Hope
you're doing well.
    She wouldn't answer. She only did if it
was important, if it concerned Michelle, and I needed something from her. After
that awful night over a year ago, Mom did her own form of retreat. We'd never
been terribly close anyway, and she pretty much shut down as far as
communicating with me. I knew she was trying to protect herself, or so Thea the
Therapist told me. (The counselor's real name was Theresa. I gave her the
nickname to make the experience less stressful.) But it still hurt that Mom
never talked to me unless I initiated the call.
    The scent of coffee tickled my nostrils
and with an effort, I pushed away family thoughts. I'd been down that guilt
path enough times to have worn a deep groove. I didn't need to go there now. I'd
treat myself to a tasty drink, one with whipped cream on top, then on to enjoy
my window seat and daydream about palm trees.
     

 
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    Even the air in the Miami terminal felt
tropical. I stood at the baggage carousel, grinning like an idiot. I texted the
driver as soon as I got off the plane, and he would text me back when he
arrived to pick me up. I imagined a guy in a spiffy chauffeur uniform, standing
there to greet me with a sign, but with all the airport security now, that was
just a movie dream. Not having to get a taxi or find other transportation was really
enough of a treat.
    Once I got my luggage and piggybacked it
with my carry-on, I headed outside, where Chris, the driver, said he'd pick me up.
I was dying to get into the open air and let