Emma excitedly said, “I am leaving Saturday dad, and it is important to me to know that you are going to be okay, so with Maeve’s help I have arranged to throw a full-scale wedding here tomorrow afternoon.” Howard looking up sharply, said, “Who’s getting married?”
Emma laughing responded, “Why you and Vittoria!” Carmine started choking on the piece of pecan pie he was eating for dessert. Laughing uncontrollably, he said, “Well then Howard, welcome to the family.” Howard turned to look at Vittoria, at that moment he knew she already was aware of this wedding and no doubt was in complete charge of the details. Taking Vittoria’s face into his hands and looking deeply into her eyes, he said lovingly before kissing her full on the mouth, “It appears we are getting married tomorrow.”
Carmine standing said, “Let’s go to the sitting room; this calls for a celebration; we need some champagne.” Once the group moved to the sitting room, the champagne flowed, and the rest of the evening was a celebration of Howard’s and Vittoria’s love.
Emma awoke the next morning and went to the dining room to find some coffee and breakfast. People were already coming in and out delivering flowers, a beautiful garden arch, and setting the chairs up for their one guest. Jack Thomas. With all the coming and going activity, Emma grabbed a cup of coffee and went back to the master bedroom to enjoy her coffee in peace. Looking at her watch, she realized it was only an hour and a half till the wedding was scheduled to begin. Hearing a knock on the door; she moved to answer it.
Finding Vittoria standing at the door with a beautifully wrapped gift in her hands, she invited her into the room. Vittoria went to sit on the edge of the bed, patting the space next to her as an invitation for Emma to join her. Emma sat down on the bed next to Vittoria taking care not to wrinkle the gown laid across the bed. Vittoria said with emotion, “Today is a special day, Bella, your father and I are getting married, and my dream of one day having a daughter has come, I have a gift for you.” Handing Emma the gift, she smiled sweetly. Emma taking the offering, laughed softly saying, “Oh Vittoria, it is your day; you shouldn’t be giving me a gift."
Opening the velvet jewelry case, Emma gasped. Inside was a delicate silver chain with a pendant of an infinity design that held a large brilliant diamond. Emma exclaimed breathlessly, “Oh Vittoria, this is lovely; you shouldn’t have done this.”
Vittoria placing her hand over Emma’s that held the jewelry case said, “Yes, it is lovely. But today it has special meaning my love. The infinity design is in recognition of your fathers, and I love for you, and the diamond there at the beginning represents your start in life. You see that diamond there, that is the diamond from your mother’s wedding ring. When I was designing the piece for you, I asked your father for the stone from your mother’s ring, a pendant of infinity, there is no end to your mothers, your fathers or and my love for you.”
Emma tears spilling from her eyes, said, “Will you put it on me, please.” Both standing Vittoria carefully moved Emma’s long blond hair over her shoulder and attached the necklace around her delicate neck. Standing in front of the mirror admiring the pendant, Emma turned and hugged Vittoria tightly saying, “I am so blessed to have a new mother such as you, thank you Vittoria for this gift I know my mother would be pleased that my dad has found a wonderful woman to share the rest of his life with.”
Vittoria holding back tears, said, “Now Emma, don’t you make me cry. DeLuca women don’t cry. I must go get ready for my wedding; I don’t want to keep your father waiting one minute longer than I need to.” Emma laughed. Vittoria was turning to go back to her room to dress, smiled as Amelia came through the door in a rush. Amelia, dressed in a cream-colored satin gown that showed off her boyish figure and her luxurious soft brown hair that laid in waves on her shoulders, said. “Vittoria, why aren’t you dressed? Oh my god, Emma your still in your robe! Did you two forget there is a wedding happening shortly.” Looking at Vittoria, she continued, “Now scoot, Maeve is searching up and down the hallways for you in a tizzy.”
Vittoria through the door she turned back to face Emma seeing the emerald green silk gown laying across the bed, and she screamed, “Emma Graystone, when did you find the time to find this ridiculously gorgeous dress.” Stopping her jaw dropped to the floor, and she said,” Oh my god Emma, where did you get that beautifully expensive elegant necklace? It will set that dress off.” Emma laughing, said, “It is a gift from Vittoria, now help me on with my dress, and I will tell you the story of the necklace.”
Amelia took a step back gazing at Emma with appreciation saying, “Oh Emma, that gown is perfect to wear with your new pendant. You look beautiful!” Looking at her cell phone, she continued, “Jack’s here! Let us go have a before wedding drink!” Laughing, Emma took one last look in the mirror gently touching the necklace, and she said, “Okay then, let us get this party on the road!”
Finding Jack at the bar in the Great room where the wedding was to be, she ordered a glass of Screaming Eagle. Taking a sip, she heard Jack say, “My god you look beautiful Emma, is that a new necklace? It’s exquisite.” Emma smiled again touching the pendant, saying, “It was a gift from Vittoria and my dad. Jack, I wanted to talk to you. Amelia, Maeve and I will be leaving for Vegas in the morning. I want to thank you for everything you have done for me and for being an unforgettable friend. I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am for your friendship.” Jack smiled brightly replying, “Well, you’re a pretty good friend yourself, but it almost sounds like your saying goodbye. We are partners in business, and you know, we have many more adventures ahead.”
Emma smiled with a look of sadness at Jack. Seeing her father take his place at the beautiful white rose adorned Garden Arch, she took Jack’s hand and said, “Come sit with me, looks like they are about to start.” Emma led Jack to the front row to sit with her and Amelia.
Hearing the harp player start playing the wedding song, she looked over at her father who was looking in awe at the woman he was about to marry — a look of pure and complete love. Emma smiled, knowing this was the right thing for her father. She turned to see Vittoria making her way up the makeshift aisle dressed in a silk white tea-length gown that included hundreds of iridescent pearls. When Vittoria reached the Arch to stand next to Howard, Emma went forward to take the bouquet of calla lilies from her hands. Leaning to kiss her father on the cheek, she saw that he had seen she was wearing the necklace. Whispering into his ear, Emma said, ‘Mom is with us dad, and she is celebrating this marriage.”
Taking her seat, the Catholic Priest brought in from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York began the ceremony. There was not a dry eye in the penthouse as Vittoria and Howard shared their vows of love and exchanged their rings in the promise of a lifetime together.
When the priest announced the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Graystone, they all stood to clap their hands in joy. Vittoria announced there was a delicious seafood buffet set up in the dining room. Champagne bottles were popping!
When the afternoon had turned into evening, Jack approached Emma, saying, “I have to get home Emma, I promised to be there to put the girls to bed.” Emma smiled sadly, knowing this was Jack’s goodbye. Kissing Jack softly on the cheek, she said, “Be safe, Jack, if you ever question yourself look for the Gray Hawk. Grayson is with us both forever. I love you, Jack Thomas.” Tilting his head, Jack felt something was off. “Are you okay, Emma?” Emma knew she was giving to much away replied, “I’m fine silly, you know girls and weddings, it’s an emotional time. Now go home, put those beautiful little girls to bed and kiss them for me.” Jack laughed and said, “Call me when you get to Vegas?”
Emma smiled, walking Jack to the door, saying ‘I will” She closed the door softly behind Jack, leaning back against the door. Frank seeing Emma was not sure if she was going to collapse or not, moved quickly across the room. he approached Emma and said, “You okay Emma?” She looked at Frank sadly, “Just saying goodbye to a friend. So much has happened the last few days Frank, I don’t think
I will ever see the world the way I use to again.” Frank looked at Emma with pure adoration saying, “Tomorrow is a new day, the start of a new journey for you. It’s up to you make the world the way you want to see it.”
Emma laughed raising her eyebrow asked, “Your pretty smart Frank, will we see you in Vegas?” Frank leading her to the seafood buffet responded before walking away, saying,” You just might Emma, you just might.” Emma saw him glance at Maeve and knew they would see much more of Frank.
The next morning Emma was up, showered and dressed by eight am. Taking her seat at the dining room table, she saw that the others were enjoying a breakfast of French toast, bacon, fruit, and juice. Stacking three slices of French Toast on her plate, she asked, “Where is Carmine this morning, sleeping in?”
Vittoria laughed, “No, my brother decided he needed to go back to where he once again had some semblance of control. Carmine and Frank left last night for Las Vegas but are expected to be back in New York on Monday.” Emma giggling said, “Well now, you tell the man you no longer need his services and off he goes without a proper goodbye.”
Hearing a knock at the front door, Emma jumped up, saying, “That’s for me!” Running to the door, she opened it to find the delivery man with the keys to her new car. Confirming the car was parked out front, she handed him a fifty-dollar tip and closed the door racing back into the dining room, waving the keys in the air.
Seeing Amelia on the phone, she shook the keys harder, exclaiming, “My car has arrived, it is time for us to go!” Amelia hanging up her phone, jumped up and ran to Emma, twirling her in a circle, “We have our first client!” Emma stunned into disbelief, looked at Amelia while the rest of the group anxiously waited for Amelia to continue.
Emma said, “New client?” Amelia laughed joyfully, saying, “What? Did you think I was sitting around the last week waiting for you to handle things? You know Harris and Graystone are not going to work that way. In six short weeks were off to California. There is a problem in the Coastal Redwoods, and Harris and Graystone are needed to solve the mystery.” Emma waving the keys in Amelia’s face said, “I have just the car to get us there.”
An hour later, Emma, Amelia, and Maeve were ready to go, Howard and Vittoria accompanied them to the front of the hotel to see them off. Howard coming through the main hotel door stopped when he saw Emma patting the hood of a bright purple brand-new Bentley Continental GT Convertible.
Emma saw her dad come to a stop, laughing she said, “Well, what do you think, Dad. She is pretty, isn’t she?” Howard strolled around the car while Emma pulled a small shopping bag out of her purse. While Emma was pulling three matching lilac-colored silk scarves and three matching pair of large white sunglasses from the shopping bag, Howard grinned at her and said, “At least it’s a Bentley.”
Laughing she handed a scarf and a pair of sunglasses to Amelia and Maeve who immediately started tying their scarves around their necks. Vittoria walked over to Emma taking her lilac scarf, gently tied it around Emma’s neck, saying, “Go swiftly, my Bella, I do not like goodbyes.” Kissing Emma on the cheek, she moved back up to the curb.
Howard opened the passenger door for Emma to get in. Maeve was already in the backseat with her sunglasses on, tossing her new scarf behind her. Amelia was in the driver’s seat, listening to the roar of the motor and smiling. Emma hugged her father goodbye and said, “I love you dad see you in three weeks, I will be excited to hear all about your honeymoon and for you to come and see our new home.” Kissing her father’s cheek, she jumped in the bright purple Bentley waving goodbye as Amelia swiftly pulled away from the curb.
Howard walking back to the curb, taking Vittoria’s hand, leading her back through the front doors of the hotel said, “Honeymoon?” Vittoria patted his cheek and said, “Yes, Howard, I hear Monte Carlo is nice this time of year.”
Jack heard a knock at the door, picked Grace up, holding her against her hip. Answering the door, he saw a courier there with an envelope. Accepting the delivery, Jack handed Grace to his waiting wife. Looking to see who the package was from, he ripped open the envelope pulling out the contents. Jack looked at the thirty-million-dollar cashiers' cheque. Looking at the post note attached he read, Jack, all contracts are null and void. You are the sole owner of Jack Thomas Construction Company. Dropping to his knees, he almost didn’t hear the three quick honks from outside, quickly standing he opened the to see a bright purple Bentley convertible driving by with three women waving as their lilac scarves waved in the wind.
To be continued…
High Secrets
Book Two fo the Ignited Secrets Trilogy
Something is killing the wildlife and poisoning the waterways of the Coastal Redwoods in California. With such an environmental catastrophe happening, Amelia Harris, Co-founder of Harris & Graystone, a company that helps nonprofit organizations work through challenges, Amelia finished reading the Clean Water Report as the plane decreased in altitude to land in Monterey, California. Rechecking her itinerary, she confirmed she was to meet Jade Ming, Executive Director of the Clean Water non-profit organization at the landing gate. Wishing Emma Graystone, her business partner, and best friend was with her; she knew it would be another few days before Emma completed her physical therapy from the horrific car accident she experienced in Flagstaff when someone tried to kill her. The Clean Water Organization was the first client of the newly formed Harris & Graystone. Emma had convinced her to go ahead of her and meet with Jade Ming. Grabbing her travel bag from the overhead compartment, Amelia walked up the ramp to start the project that she and Emma knew that their business might be the only one who could solve the mystery.
Entering the gate, it was not hard to see a bouncy short Japanese girl with a short pink multicolored pixie haircut holding a sign that read, Amelia Harris. Amelia smiled at Jade as she walked up, holding her hand out to introduce herself, “Hi, you must be Jade. I am Amelia Harris.” Jade took her hand, shaking it quickly, both feeling the electric connection between them.
Something is killing the wildlife and poisoning the waterways of the Coastal Redwoods in California. With such an environmental catastrophe happening, Amelia Harris, Co-founder of Harris & Graystone, a company that helps nonprofit organizations work through challenges, Amelia finished reading the Clean Water Report as the plane decreased in altitude to land in Monterey, California. Rechecking her itinerary, she confirmed she was to meet Jade Ming, Executive Director of the Clean Water non-profit organization at the landing gate. Wishing Emma Graystone, her business partner, and best friend was with her; she knew it would be another few days before Emma completed her physical therapy from the horrific car accident she experienced in Flagstaff when someone tried to kill her. The Clean Water Organization was the first client of the newly formed Harris & Graystone. Emma had convinced her to go ahead of her and meet with Jade Ming. Grabbing her travel bag from the overhead compartment, Amelia walked up the ramp to start the project that she and Emma knew that their business might be the only one who could solve the mystery.
Entering the gate, it was not hard to see a bouncy short Japanese girl with a short pink multicolored pixie haircut holding a sign that read, Amelia Harris. Amelia smiled at Jade as she walked up, holding her hand out to introduce herself, “Hi, you must be Jade. I am Amelia Harris.” Jade took her hand, shaking it quickly, both feeling the electric connection between them.
About the Author
Kacie Clement is an Author and Holistic Business Consultant. With over four decades in non-profit business management, she remains an unspeakable optimist dedicated to inspiring women. A writer of mysteries, she first published “Unleashed Betrayal” in 2017 and “Shadow of Secrets,” the first book of her Ignited Secrets Trilogy in 2019. Kacie has also published a journal for everyday personal use called “The Journey to Enlightenment.
Kacie lives in the woods with her husband, two dogs, and an attack cat. Kacie is addicted to fresh baked cookies, coffee, and fabric. A writer by day, and a reader
by night, you will often find her writing, painting or assembling a new quilt.
EMAIL
[email protected]
WEBSITE
www.kacieclement.com
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