by Karen Cimms
Kate blinked at the sudden rush of light.
Rhiannon pulled a book from the shelf. “Here it is: Romeo and Juliet.”
She handed the book to Kate. It was an expensive edition, red leather with gold embossing.
“There’s a message inside.” She kissed Kate’s cheek. “I love you, Mom. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I love you too, and thank you. For everything.”
Kate stared at her closed fist, feeling the hard edges of the glass bite into her palm. She opened her hand slowly. It was exactly how she remembered. A frosted piece of sea glass shaped like a heart. It was pale pink, exactly like the one Joey had given her in her dream. Her heart stuttered as she closed her fingers around it again. How could it be?
With the heart clenched in her fist, she opened Romeo and Juliet. Written on the inside was an inscription in a handwriting as familiar as her own. It was dated May 16, 2012.
My dearest Kate,
Chances are if you’re reading this, I’m no longer with you. Losing my mother suddenly at such a young age, I’ve always been aware of my own mortality, and it made me realize it could happen to me just as easily. I never wanted to leave without being able to say goodbye.
So this house? Something else, am I right? I hope you love it as much as I think you will. Some of my most treasured memories were made with you in Maine when we were children, so that’s why I bought you this house. As I write this, I’m hoping we’ll have decades of new memories to make right here.
So why Romeo and Juliet? First of all, I know you love this book and will eventually pick it up to read again. Second, it’s a love story, duh! And third, it’s a tragedy. Now, you might be getting annoyed with me at this point, but let me finish. I don’t mean to say your love story is a tragedy. Quite the contrary. You and the rock star are perfect for each other. Although it was one of my greatest joys in life to give him a hard time, I know you love him and I know he loves you—worships you, which is as it should be. Please tell him I said so and that I hope he forgives me for all the little digs at his expense over the years. He would always turn such a delicious shade of red when he got mad. I just couldn’t help myself.
If I’m not there to tell you myself, I pray that the rest of your lives will be long and happy and filled with love.
And even though you might not see me, I’m here. I won’t ever be far away. Listen for my laughter in the tinkle of the wind chimes. When you feel a breeze lifting off the ocean, close your eyes and imagine my kiss on your cheek. When you look up to the night sky, imagine the stars are millions of tiny holes I’ve poked in the earth’s canopy to shine heaven down upon you.
If you forget my smile, turn to page 245, where I’ve enclosed a photograph. (In this case, there are no substitutions!)
I hope I made you smile, and maybe shed a tear or two as well, just because. Always remember me, Kate, and remember how much I love you. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. And when the time comes, I’ll be waiting on the other side.
Until then . . .
Joey
The book shook in her trembling hands as she turned to page 245, which was marked with a silk ribbon. Sure enough, there they were: her and Joey in Central Park, smiling, their heads close together, her arms flung around his neck. She was looking at Joey, and his eyes were fixed on the camera, filled with devilish merriment. She remembered the day Billy had snapped that photo, but she’d never seen it before.
Her finger gently caressed her best friend’s face as her other hand tightened around the piece of glass. She closed the book, slipped it back into its spot on the shelf, and stood at the window looking out into the velvet night.
The moon was barely a sliver, hanging in a sky studded with a million stars. Was he looking down at her right now?
“Everything okay?”
Billy stood behind her, half asleep. Her heart thudded with joy, and a welcome sense of peace washed over her.
She stretched out her hand and nodded.
“Then why the tears?” he asked, wiping them away with his thumbs.
“Happy tears.”
“Good.”
“Dance with me.”
“There’s no music,” he said as he gathered her in his arms, still warm from their bed, and slowly rocked her to and fro.
“Sure there is,” she said. “There’s always music.”
She closed her eyes, and as they danced, the wind chimes outside the window tinkled.
Like laughter on a breeze.
The End
Note to readers
Reviews are important to independent authors. If you decide to leave a review after you’ve read this book, please email me a link to your review at [email protected], and I’ll send you a bookmark from the Of Love and Madness series as a thank you.
Not ready to say goodbye yet?
While All I Ever Wanted ends the Of Love and Madness trilogy, you can travel back to 1995 and spend the holidays with Billy and Kate in the novella, You’re All I Want for Christmas. Look for it in October 2017.
To keep up with announcements about future publications, including a new standalone romance, Miss February, due for release in early 2018, visit KarenCimms.com.
Acknowledgments
I think the most difficult part of writing these acknowledgements is knowing that Billy and Kate’s story is just about over. I have lived with them, and Joey, just about every waking moment—and some non-waking moments—since the summer of 2013. I don’t know that I’ll ever create two characters that I love as much as Billy and Kate, which is probably the main reason they get one more chapter in the form of a Christmas novella.
I hope their story touched you as well.
Over the course of the past few years there have been many people who have helped me get to this point. For some, saying “thank you” hardly seems like enough, but believe me when I say it is said with much love. I hope I don’t miss anyone. Here goes.
Thank you to my critique group whose input can be felt on every page of this book. We were randomly connected, but like soulmates, it was meant to be. We’ve been through sickness, health, tears, and laughter. David L. Williams, Gretchen Anthony, and Laura Broullire, you three have carved a special place in my heart.
To my beta readers for all three books: Patty Morgan, Diane Lane Stone, Ace Leccese, Beth Yaroszeufski, Amber McKenney, Allison Hart, Dena Williams, Sally McGarry, and Rhonda Donaldson. Thank you.
A very special thanks to Tyra Hattersley, Ann Travis, and Lydia Fasteland for your detailed feedback and suggestions.
Lori Ryser, you are amazing. I have to keep wondering what I did to deserve you. I’m not sure I can ever truly express my gratitude for your input and your exceptional proofreading skills, but I’ll keep trying.
Garrett Cimms, thanks for another amazing cover design, and Olka Cimms, thanks for being our cover model. Sorry we had to edit out Stickman. And Jade Eby, thank you for another awesome interior design.
Karla Sorensen and Kerry Palumbo, you don’t even know each other, but as far as I’m concerned, you two are the dynamic duo of back-cover blurbs. Thank you.
Whitney Barbetti, you are not only one of my favorite authors, you are a wonderful, kind, generous person. You have helped me in so many ways. I don’t know that I can ever truly thank you enough. If it weren’t for you, I’m not sure very many people would even know about my books. You are forever in my heart.
To my family in Maine, especially Amy and Bob. Thank you for giving me and Kate a second home. You know my heart is always there. And Sally, thanks for sharing Ramona.
Nancy Blaha, thank you for helping me believe in myself. You might hear your words on some of these pages. It’s not a coincidence.
Liz Vigue, thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support, and for telling me about Pedro Martinez.
Sue Johnston, thanks for sharing your beautiful photo with me. You’re an amazing photographer.
Jena Camp, thanks for your a
mazing teasers and for getting the word out about all my books.
Nick Denmon, thanks for allowing me to share your perfect words for my epigraph. Your work speaks to me.
Thank you John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls for “Better Days.” If I didn’t know better, I’d think you wrote it for All I Ever Wanted.
To my children: Karen, Margaux, Garrett, and Amanda, thank you for being you and for allowing me to be me. I love you.
And all my love and gratitude to my husband and favorite lead guitarist, Jim. Without your love and support, I would still be thinking how much I’d like to write a book someday. I couldn’t do this without you.
Thank you to the bloggers who have read my books, posted reviews, and shared my work. You guys are the best.
And to the readers. I’m truly honored every time you pick up one of my books. Thank you for making my dreams come true.
About the Author
Karen Cimms is a writer, editor, and music lover. She was born and raised in New Jersey and still thinks of the Garden State as home. She began her career at an early age rewriting the endings to her favorite books. It was a mostly unsuccessful endeavor, but she likes to think she invented fanfiction.
Karen is a lifelong Jersey corn enthusiast, and is obsessed with (in no particular order) books, shoes, dishes, and Brad Pitt. In her spare time she likes to quilt, decorate, and entertain. Just kidding–she has no spare time.
Although she loves pigeons, she is terrified of pet birds, scary movies, and Mr. Peanut.
Karen is married to her favorite lead guitar player. Her children enjoy tormenting her with countless mean-spirited pranks because they love her. She currently lives in Northeast Pennsylvania, although her heart is usually in Maine.
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