Luckily, she would be able to see Emerald Leas securely online anytime she wanted but it was no real substitute for actually being at home. She felt so sad, the biting absence of Gran bubbling up once again.
"Leaving is hard, isn't it?" Paula said when they were pulling away from the house.
Cilla nodded, tears in her eyes. "Yeah, you bet it is." She took Chewy from the carrier. "But we'll be back, won't we, boy? We'll be back."
Chewy didn't bark but she saw a comforting yes in his little dark eyes.
• EPILOGUE •
There was a thunderstorm brewing outside the hotel and gift shop manager Jodi Haywood was preparing to rush out to her bank before it hit.
"Oh, my goodness," said a customer as she dropped an assortment of cold and flu products on the counter. "I've had the worst head cold since I stepped off the airplane this morning. What a way to start a vacation in Florida, huh?"
Jodi smiled at the guest as she reached for her umbrella behind the counter, just in case she was unlucky enough to get caught in the rain. "I'm really sorry to hear that," she said sympathetically. "Hopefully, at least one of those will work and you'll be able to enjoy Mayfair a bit more tomorrow. Besides, today looks like a day for staying in anyway. You should probably just get some rest."
"True," groaned the customer. Turning away, she sneezed and her eyes barely reopened when she straightened.
"Bless you."
"Ughh..."
Dashing around the counter, Jodi called out to the new girl. "Hey," she said as she went by the candy case that the gift shop's newest employee was busy restocking. "I'm heading out now. Can you help that lady at the counter for me, please? I'll be back as fast as I can."
"Sure, no problem," she replied, shelving the last of the Godiva. "I hope you make it without getting drenched, it sounds pretty nasty out there." Then with a bright smile—and sporting a brand new black wig—Amber Holland turned around and walked over to the checkout counter. "Welcome to Raindrops on Roses, ma'am," she said, greeting the ailing guest. "Let's get you taken care of right away."
End of Book One
❧
Stay Tuned For Book Two of the Favorite Things Trilogy:
BLUE SATIN SASHES — Coming 2015!
Follow Michael and Priscilla to Europe!
Join Millenia Black's mailing list for special sneak peeks, contests and giveaways! Click here. Be sure to reply to the confirmation e-mail to confirm your subscription.
• QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION •
•~•
1. Did you see Priscilla Bauer as the only reason Michael Frost decided to end his decade-long relationship with Amber Holland? In your opinion, is it likely they would've broken up eventually anyway?
2. Discuss the relationship between Amber and Michael. Do you feel they simply grew apart, becoming more like friends who slept together than a couple in love? And even though they'd been together since they were teenagers, do you think Michael was ever really in love with Amber? Why or why not?
3. How did you feel about the way Michael handled the break up? After the first attempt, did you agree with his decision to break things off with Priscilla and stay with Amber? Do you think their ten-year relationship needed the extra time to properly fade to black, or should he have left her the first time? Discuss your opinion.
4. What do you think Michael experienced with Priscilla that he never did with Amber? Do you think there's a chance that Michael and Amber could ever get back together again? Why or why not?
5. Discuss Priscilla and Michael's first night together. Why do you think Priscilla went there so quickly? Was it understandable, or a mistake, in your opinion? Why or why not?
6. After he had backed off, how did you feel about Priscilla's decision to reach out to Michael again? Do you think she needed more time to grieve? Should she have waited for him to call her? Share your thoughts.
7. Priscilla Bauer never got into the Favorite Things business while her grandmother was alive. Do you think there was a reason why her brother Douglas did when she didn't? Share your thoughts.
8. Discuss Priscilla's reluctance to give interviews verses Douglas's willingness to do them. Discuss their reasoning. In your opinion, who had the better perspective? Why?
9. Discuss Michael and Priscilla's final conversation. Who did you sympathize with the most? Why? Do you think Priscilla should've forgiven Michael, or did she do the right thing in ending the relationship? Should Michael follow her to France? Why or why not?
10. Talk about the final scene of the book. What do you think Amber's plans are in taking that job? Is it possible Julie Holland put her daughter up to it?
11. What scenes stand out the most to you from the story? Which was the most memorable? Why?
12. Will you be continuing on to read Book Two of the trilogy, Blue Satin Sashes? What do you think will happen next as the saga continues? What would you like to see happen with the Michael-Amber-Priscilla love triangle?
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS •
•~•
All my love and thanks to...
The dear, dear friends who were kind enough to read the draft of this manuscript and offer their generous feedback and support: Darlene Smoliak of the wonderful book blog, Peeking Between the Pages; Roberta Austin, Heather Catlin and Nicole Rodriguez of the fabulous online book club, The Reading Cove; and Pamela Kenneybrook of the marvelous Coconut Creek Book Club. Thank you all so very much!
To Nadine Westmoreland, editor extraordinaire who flexed her magical muscles and turned a pretty good story into a polished masterpiece. To my lovely and intelligent niece Alexis (who wanted Chewy to be the color of coffee and Michael to be called Alex!), I loved all your input on text messages and naming characters! To my dear friend Sherrie Flack, the ultimate Nia princess, who reminded me that I am an author—I want you to know that I've never allowed myself to forget it since, so thank you! To Steven, who knows why. And to the many friends and die-hard fans who kept sending me e-mails, asking when the next book was coming out—you know who you are—and this one's especially for you. I hope you find it was well worth the wait!
And, finally. I offer all the love, appreciation and thanks in the world to my mother, Paulette, and to my dad, Timothy, the Cosmic Philosopher and my own personal champion in everything that I do. If only every daughter in the world could be so lucky.
EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW!
❧
THE GREAT BETRAYAL
by Millenia Black
PROLOGUE
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
SUMMER 2006
They had no idea they were about to be discovered. Their rendezvous locale was a posh, cozy residence the man had leased near the Intracoastal Waterway—nearly five years ago.
Since that time, the quiet comings and goings, as observed by a vigilant neighbor, suggested more than a little impropriety…the elderly neighbor surmised that the couple was having an illicit affair.
But tonight, even the neighbors would feel the shock waves.
The powerful shock waves of the forbidden.
*~*~*~*~*
Forty-five endless minutes.
That’s how long she lay in bed, anxiously awaiting her lover’s arrival.
When she finally heard the front door opening, the woman smiled, snuggling deeper into the fluffy pillows and cool, silky bedding. Her breathing steadied, tension disappeared, and her forehead relaxed.
He’d finally come.
They still had a solid hour to spend together, and he was now all hers!
But if she’d only known what was to happen on this night. That her secret was about to explode and change her life forever…she would not be smiling.
The nature of their affair made the explosion inevitable.
There was only so much sand in an hourglass, and now their time was up…tonight would be the last.
The last of the secret rendezvous.
*~*~*~*~*
As he entered the house, the man noticed the vanilla-scent
ed candles illuminating the hallway that led to the bedroom.
What was he doing here with her? Again.
He’d tried to end it so many times…why couldn’t he?
Placing his briefcase near the door, he allowed the soothing atmosphere to combat the effects of the day, and took a deep breath.
Okay. One more time.
Inhaling the sweet ambiance, he removed his tie and tossed it over a barstool.
Quietly he strolled into the bedroom. And as always, there she was. Lying against the creamy pillows, waiting for him. No secrets. No lies. No past.
Just lying there wanting him.
Holding her gaze, he removed his clothes and climbed into the bed. He breathed deeply, trying his damnedest to release the burdens and disappointments of recent months.
Of recent years.
He took her into his arms and closed his eyes. “Tonight,” he whispered, spooning the now familiar curves of her naked body, “I just want to lay here and hold you.”
She laced their fingers. “You okay?” she asked, concerned. “Something wrong?”
“No more than usual. I just…” He hesitated, squeezing her. He couldn’t say too much. “Tonight I just want to lie here. Just need to shut out the world and not think too much.”
“Hmm.” Turning in his arms, she planted a gentle kiss on his lips. “Okay, just relax then. I’ll be right here.”
They nestled together, their legs intertwining. After a little adjusting, his head rested lower, cushioned by her breasts. They enjoyed the quiet tranquility they had begun to find here. They never suspected that—this time—it would not last.
*~*~*~*~*
“Oh, my God! Nooo!”
The violent, bloodcurdling scream broke them apart. They both recognized the voice. It was her.
Her!
Holy shit.
With a deafening crash, the bedroom’s window shattered and shards of glass showered them on the bed.
They’d been discovered.
She—of all the people in the world—had found them!
They jumped from the bed.
—End of Preview
Continue reading! Grab your copy of Millenia Black's The Great Betrayal!
Connect with Millenia online:
•~•
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Raindrops on Roses: Book One of the Favorite Things Trilogy Page 14