The earth seemed to screech to a halt. Freezing them all in stunned silence.
“Did I say something wrong?” Carmen asked, dropping Kenan’s hand abruptly. “I’m sorry.”
Layla fought her way back to clarity first. “You’re saying you were with her when she died?”
“Yes. I didn’t know you didn’t know. She came to Italy and was cared for there. I just assumed it was part of her wishes that she’d told you all about.”
Lauren turned to Tray to explain. “When Gloria started to really fail health-wise she left a note and took off. We never knew where she went in her final time. We didn’t even really know what day she died. She didn’t want us to have a date to mourn her every year. She didn’t want us to remember her as she finally slipped away.”
“I am an idiot,” Carmen said, slapping her dainty hand to her head. “I didn’t know that. You all must have so many questions. I’m happy to answer any of them.”
Layla leaned on Kenan for a moment and then righted herself. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m glad you told us. There are some things I’d love to ask you someday over coffee. No.” She shook her head. “Over a glass, make that a bottle, of wine. How is it Gloria managed to get every single one of us to do exactly what she wanted?”
“We haven’t all done our homework yet,” Kenan reminded his fiancé. “You’re still procrastinating on seeing your father. Your Aunt Gloria was clear she wanted you and your father to try to make amends. You’ve not even called him yet.” Layla’s father was Gloria’s brother. They’d grown up in a very difficult home but he’d apparently gotten it much worse. It sent him into a spiral that consisted of preparing for the end of days and having enough spaghetti sauce to survive it.
“Busted,” Lauren said, teasing her friend. “Take it from someone who just had to face that. It’s not all terrible.”
Carmen raised her hand slightly and bit at her lip. “Um, Gloria did talk to her brother before she died. They had a few phone conversations. It seemed like they had some peace between them.”
“Really?” Layla asked, looking bowled over again by all the new information Carmen seemed to have tucked away. She was lobbing it at them like water balloons during a blizzard. Each one stinging.
“I have his information if you’d like to reach him,” Carmen offered, patting her shoulder bag as though she was ready to whip out a phone and hand it over.
“Maybe,” Layla stuttered. “Maybe sometime soon.” Kenan reached out and rubbed her back gently for a few beats.
“It’s Sunday,” he announced with a devious grin. “You know what that means, Lauren.”
“No way.” She waved her hands in protest.
“Sundays are for family dinner. My brothers are chomping at the bit to meet your new man.”
“Meet him or interrogate him?” She pointed accusingly. “You think I’m going to walk him into that lions den? We have jet lag.”
Layla put her hands on her hips. “No one misses a Sunday dinner. Tray, you might as well walk through the fire now. If they think you’re avoiding them it’ll only get worse. Like chum in the water for sharks.”
“I’ve met Ben,” Tray said, not at all intimidated. “And I hear you’re a hell of a chef Kenan. I think I’ll be fine.”
“He’s adorable,” Layla teased. “I like his childlike optimism.”
Carmen shifted nervously on her heals. “I can catch a cab to my hotel. Thank you all again for the friendly welcome.”
“You’re coming to dinner,” Tray insisted. “If I’m going to be walking through fire, I’d like there to be something pretty and shiny there to distract them.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose on a dinner party. I’m not really dressed for it.” She looked down at her very simple purple dress and leggings.
They all exchanged glances and laughed. “Trust me Carmen, if you don’t have a ketchup stain on your shirt and your socks match, you’ll be overdressed for this crowd. Just watch out for the O’Malley brothers. They’re a handful.”
“I can handle them,” Carmen asserted, straightening her back. “Plus they’ll be busy interrogating Tray right?”
“Exactly,” Lauren said with a big smile. The clouds above their heads split suddenly and rays of warm sun shone down on them.
Gloria checking in on them. Peeking. Smiling.
Tray took her hand in his and tugged her along. She hadn’t even noticed she was being left behind. But Tray noticed. And that was the point. From now on, she’d have someone there to keep her afloat. Every now and then she’d have to let her spirit of adventure trump her better sense.
Tray leaned down and kissed her head. “You look like you’re far off. Are you ok? Want to skip Sunday dinner?”
“Nice try.”
“Just checking.”
“I was just thinking about Gloria. She’s really done a number on all of us. And honestly, I don’t think she’s done with us yet.”
He gestured with his chin toward Carmen. “I think you’re right. Carmen seems to have a journey of her own ahead, don’t you think?”
“I do. And if she ends up half as lucky as we are, then she’ll be doing just fine.” She looped her arm in his and they picked up their pace to catch up with everyone.
“We are pretty lucky,” Tray agreed. “Great loves require big risks. I’m glad we took the chances we did on each other.”
“This is a great love?” She asked, gesturing between them. A warmth spreading across her chest. Tears welling in her eyes.
“It’s the greatest love there is.”
* * *
The End
Books in the Barrington Billionaire Synchronized World
By Danielle Stewart:
Fierce Love
Wild Eyes
Crazy Nights
Loyal Hearts
Untamed Devotion
Stormy Attraction
Foolish Temptations
Surprising Destiny
Lovely Dreams
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You can now download all the Barrington Billionaire books by Danielle Stewart in a “Sweet” version. Enjoy the clean and wholesome version, same story without the spice. If you prefer the hotter version be sure to download the original.
The Sweet version still contains adult situations and relationships.
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Fierce Love - Sweet Version
Wild Eyes - Sweet Version
Crazy Nights - Sweet Version
Loyal Hearts - Sweet Version
Untamed Devotion - Sweet Version
Stormy Attraction - Sweet Version
Foolish Temptations - Sweet Version - Coming Soon
* * *
*********************************************************
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By Ruth Cardello:
Always Mine
Stolen Kisses
Trade It All
Let It Burn
More Than Love
Forever Now
* * *
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By Jeannette Winters:
One White Lie
Table For Two
You & Me Make Three
Virgin For The Fourth Time
His For Five Nights
After Six
Seven Guilty Pleasures
Eight Reasons Why
Nine Rules of Engagement
Also by Danielle Stewart
Piper Anderson Series:
Book 1: Chasing Justice
Book 2: Cutting Ties
Book 3: Changing Fate
Book 4: Finding Freedom
Book 5: Settling Scores
Book 6: Battling Destiny
Book 7: Unearthing Truth
Book 8: Defending Innocence
* * *
Piper Anderson Bonus Material:
Chris & Sydney Collection – Choosing Christmas & Saving Love
Betty's Journal -
Bonus Material (suggested to be read after Book 4 to avoid spoilers)
* * *
Edenville Series – A Piper Anderson Spin Off:
Book 1: Flowers in the Snow
Book 2: Kiss in the Wind
Book 3: Stars in a Bottle
Book 4: Fire in the Heart
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Piper Anderson Legacy Mystery Series:
Book 1: Three Seconds To Rush
Book 2: Just for a Heartbeat
Book 3: Not Just an Echo
* * *
The Clover Series:
Hearts of Clover - Novella & Book 2: (Half My Heart & Change My Heart)
Book 3: All My Heart
* * *
Over the Edge Series:
Book 1: Facing Home
Book 2: Crashing Down
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Midnight Magic Series:
Amelia
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Rough Waters Series:
Book 1: The Goodbye Storm
Book 2: The Runaway Storm
Book 3: The Rising Storm
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Stand Alones:
Running From Shadows
Yours for the Taking
* * *
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Multi-Author Series including books by Danielle Stewart
* * *
All are stand alone reads and can be enjoyed in any order.
* * *
Indigo Bay Series:
A multi-author sweet romance series
Sweet Dreams - Stacy Claflin
Sweet Matchmaker - Jean Oram
Sweet Sunrise - Kay Correll
Sweet Illusions - Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Regrets - Jennifer Peel
Sweet Rendezvous - Danielle Stewart
* * *
Short Holiday Stories in Indigo Bay:
A multi-author sweet romance series
Sweet Holiday Wishes - Melissa McClone
Sweet Holiday Surprise - Jean Oram
Sweet Holiday Memories - Kay Correll
Sweet Holiday Traditions - Danielle Stewart
Foriegn Editions
The following books are currently available in foreign translations
* * *
German Translation:
Fierce Love
Ungezügelte Leidenschaft
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Wild Eyes
Glühend heiße Blicke
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***
* * *
French Translation:
Fleurs Des Neiges
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Author Contact Information
Website: AuthorDanielleStewart.com
Email: [email protected]
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Lovely Dreams Page 18