Page 23 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“That happens a lot around here, actually,” she said with a chuckle. “What did she want?”

“To know where we all are. And why Worthington hasn’t brought her morning martini yet.”

“I bet that was a big disappointment to her,” Julia said as Sierra stormed into the room.

“Hello, are we going to go or just miss the wonderful boat trip I planned?”

“We’re ready,” Grant said, realizing he’d missed his moment with Julia. Maybe on the boat trip. That may be nice.

Kyle stepped inside the room, and he wrinkled his nose at his son. No, maybe not then. But if they found a moment alone…

Sierra’s cell phone rang, interrupting the pretty picture he was painting in his mind. “It’s Mom. Why is she calling me?”

“She knows we’re on vacation and wants to know where we are and why she wasn’t invited.”

Sierra flicked the red button to dismiss the call. “Because she wasn’t. Now, come on before we miss this tour.”

“Yes, I am ready for some guaranteed fun,” Julia said with a smile as they shuffled to the front door.

“Me too. And puffins, though I’m still not sure what they are.”

Julia chuckled as she wrapped her arm around her stepdaughter’s shoulders. “They’re birds, Sierra. They kind of look like penguins.”

Grant trailed behind them, a smile on his face as he watched his wife interact with his daughter. They really did make a perfect family. No one had ever shown this much patience to Sierra. His other wives had treated her like a nuisance orplacated her to appease him. Julia truly bonded with her. And for once, Sierra had accepted that bond.

His mind drifted to his past marriages. He’d spent too much of his life picking the wrong type of woman. None of them had stirred such depths of feelings as Julia had. She wasn’t just another wife; she was a turning point in his life.

The near loss of Harrington Global had been difficult, but it had brought him the surprise gift of Julia. And for that, he’d always be thankful.

They stepped into the crisp morning air.

“It smells like Christmas here.”

“It’s the Balsam,” she said as they slipped into the car. “You know, we could have walked. It’s not that far to the dock.”

“Like…on the road?” Sierra asked with her jaw hanging open.

“Yes, Sierra, on the road,” Julia answered as Grant slid into the seat next to her. It was nice to see her in her natural environment. No wonder she’d been so good at navigating when they’d gotten lost at the cabin. She’d probably grown up in the woods. He’d never seen so many trees.

“And be killed by a car before we get to the guaranteed fun?”

“I doubt it. There aren’t that many cars on this road. Maybe on Main Street, but there are sidewalks.”

“No cars? Weird,” Sierra said as the car pulled away from the house.

“Did you get everything resolved with your sister?” Kyle asked.

“More or less.”

Grant settled into his seat. “I think Julia’s sister may be vying for president of the ‘I hate Grant’ fan club, so better watch your back, Kyle.”

Before Kyle could answer, Lydia’s shrill voice filled the car’s interior as she shrieked at Sierra on her voicemail.

“Ugh,” Sierra moaned, pulling the phone from her ear. “Seriously? She said I ruined her life. And she’s hurt that I invited Karl. She’s so theatrical.”

“One day she’s going to accidentally hit on my name,” Kyle said.

“You’re lucky she doesn’t know your name. Otherwise, she’d be ruining your life, too.”