Stranded in Paradise (The Blake Boys Book 13) by Rhonda Laurel Read Free Book Online Page A

mother got wind of Bonnie’s suggestions, she felt left out because she lived so far away. Jenna said she knew just what to do to make the parents feel like they were contributing, and they would start the preparation with a family video conference call when she returned. It would give everyone a chance to participate.
    The biggest challenge would be to get Bo’s brother Corbett more involved in the events. She knew he and Courtney were still in the planning stages of their own wedding, but Bonnie and Teri-Lyn said they hoped having something in common would bring the brothers closer together. Autumn had already asked Courtney if they could collaborate and do something for both couples, but Courtney gave her a look like she was purposely trying to steal her thunder. She didn’t look forward to seeing Courtney at family functions. Which was a shame, because Corbett was a nice guy. She’d heard Courtney mumbling about there being too many attractive women around for her tastes.
    Summer sent her a text reminding her to have a good time. Their roles had changed so much the past year. She used to be the one who had to nudge her sister to get out there and be social. A part of her was relieved that Summer and Bo still intended to stay in the condo across the hall, even though they were building a spectacular home on the Twelve Horseshoes Ranch. Summer explained it was more of a symbolic thing. He was a member of the family and it was a tradition to build a home on the ranch.
    There were no serious dating prospects on the horizon, and she was fine with that. She’d dated the baseball player but that fizzled, and she’d been on a few dates with a tech magnate who loved having his picture taken by the media. He’d always plan dates where he was sure the paparazzi were camping outside when they went out. She liked the limelight when it was to benefit the company, but her personal life was her business. The last thing she wanted to be was some vaguely famous person who had a string of failed celebrity relationships. That would send her mom into a tailspin for sure to see a “many loves of Autumn Waverly” article in some magazine.
    True love wasn’t eluding her. She was just sidestepping a boatload of egomaniacal idiots who were more interested in her looks than her brain. Being told you’re beautiful all the time lost its appeal after a while, especially when it was all they could see in her. She was a businesswoman, sister, daughter, and a great friend. She wanted someone who could see the things beneath the surface. She wanted someone of substance. A nice guy who knew how to treat a woman and perhaps would want a puppy someday. A puppy was a great dry run for the real thing: motherhood. But the guy would have to be perfect for her to fall in love. And she’d never truly been in love before. She listened to Summer going on about Bo, and that’s when she knew she’d never experienced the real thing. But she was certain she wasn’t going to find a soul mate on this island.
    Autumn stepped out of the limo and entered the hotel where she was escorted to Amber’s office. She was impressed by the woman’s knowledge of who she was and why she was there. The gracious hostess told her she could go full spa mode and hibernate or she could venture out and see what the island had to offer. She noticed Amber was kind of insistent about the mixer tonight. She got it; there were plenty of hot guys who were on vacation too. She was never one for vacation hookups. She thanked Amber for the itinerary and then was escorted to a beautiful, spacious suite with a great view of the ocean.
    She walked out onto the deck and leaned against the railing in the sunlight. The ocean breeze was cool and carried a hint of brine. She closed her eyes. Summer had been right. She needed this. Needed to get away from things and leave her problems behind.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    After lounging around all afternoon, Jared decided it was time to venture