Looking for Love
Page 26
Epilogue
“Do you think you’ll ever relinquish ownership of The Album, then?” Andrea asked Ella as they stood around Ross’s new pool he’d put in a week back, smoke from the outside grill filling the air with the aroma of barbecued meat.
“I don’t think for a long time still,” Ella said. “I’m all for love and helping others find true love, especially when it’s closer than they think.”
She glanced at Ross who gave her a skewed smile of acknowledgement. Her breath caught at his roughened look. He hadn’t shaved for a few days and with his navy tee and mussed hair… Focus. Your friends are here.
“What about when you have kids?” Pauline asked.
“Hey, we haven’t even got married yet and you’re talking about kids.”
Carol harrumphed. “You’re getting married in the morning. Can’t exactly call that a long time still.”
Feels like a long time to wait for us to be together. I’ve waited long enough.
“Don’t remind me. I’m petrified I’ve forgotten something important.”
“Just relax, for once,” Andrea said. “You’ve done everything in your power to make it the perfect wedding.”
“Nothing will be as perfect as my man.”
She came up to the braai-master and gave him a tight hug from the side, then ran her hands down his rough, muscular arms. He gave her a mock lascivious look. Argh, she could ravish him right then. How would she manage to wait one more night before she could explore all over his sexy bod without any interruptions? Why had they been too busy for each other? Maybe something to do with organising a wedding in like two months and having very little time for each other. At least, all her belongings had been packed up and she could move her things straight away into Ross’s newly revamped home. Had he subconsciously done it up for their future together? She went all warm and tingly inside at the thought. She’d really chosen the right man—how could she have doubted all that time? More like he’d chosen her and she’d finally come round. Stupid, slow woman.
“Ella should pass on The Album to her daughter if she has one,” Carol said. “It should probably remain in the family.”
“Yeah, specially seeing your gran gave it to you,” Andrea added.
“You say it as if you wish I would pass it onto one of you.”
She eyed each of her friends to see their reactions but they didn’t respond. She’d seriously considered it the last two months because she’d been run off her feet. Not that she’d grown tired of The Album and its magic. In fact, the last two months had been the happiest in her life and she had good reason to believe the antique had played a big part in it. It had taken a while for the magic to work in her heart, though, so stubborn she’d been.
Good thing she’d been gifted with the best guy in the world—one who’d been willing to risk heartbreak to confess his love to her a second time.
“We definitely don’t need The Album. Our lives are full enough,” Pauline said.
“But it’s good luck. Look what it gave me.” She rubbed Ross’s back and gave his bum a tight slap.
He groaned. “Hey, I found you. The Album didn’t bring us together.”
“It certainly helped.”
“How was that?” His eyes filled with mischief and he pinched the back of her neck, sending sweet shivers through her.
She grew serious. “I don’t know. I learnt a lot about love while working with it. Maybe I should pass it onto one of my friends. They could do with a lesson or two.”
All three shook their heads at her, eyes wide.
“Let’s see now. Who shall I pick?” She closed her eyes and spun around until she became dizzy, then pointed wildly in a random direction. Opening her eyes, she found her finger just under Pauline’s chin.
“Pauline. You’re next.”
Everyone laughed and Pauline rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, Ella. Be serious now. Don’t play around.”
“I’m not. I want to pass it on to my friends, no one else. And Pauline, I think you’d be ideal ‘album’ material. You basically pushed Ross on me when you got him to come up to the farm.”
Pauline shrugged but a cheeky smile played on her lips.
“Hah!” Andrea nodded. “Looks like matchmaking is contagious. Ella, you taught her some tricks.”
“Maybe The Album does that to people—seeing it at work,” Carol said. “And why didn’t you give it to me?” Her eyes held tease.
“Hey, I haven’t given it to anyone yet.”
“You want it?” Andrea looked at Carol.
Carol shook her head. “The magic’s enchanting from a distance. I don’t think I’m ready…” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Too much going on in my life at the moment.”
They all looked at her but she didn’t divulge.
“Pauline, are you ready?” Ella asked.
“I thought you wanted to hang onto it a bit longer?”
She laughed. “Of course I do. But keep your heart ready. You never know when The Album sees fit to move on.”
Working with it, she’d learnt the magic went deeper than anyone suspected.
The Album Series
Coming in February 2016…
Love Finds a Way
The Album Book 2 - Pauline’s Story
When Ella hands over The Album to Pauline, the young food blogger is about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime—she’s been chosen as a contestant in The Culinary Dream, a TV cooking competition. Pauline takes The Album with her to Italy where the filming is to take place and meets food photographer, Xaden, the brother of the man who ripped out her heart and put her off relationships for a long time.
To her dismay, she gets eliminated from the competition on the first round. Humiliated and determined not to be pitied by her friends and family, she decides to stay behind in Italy for a holiday as well as blog about her restaurant experiences in the exotic European country.
Xaden won't leave her alone and proves to be a friend in a time of need but when he kisses her, she pushes him away, afraid he’ll hurt her like his brother did. The TV series offers her a job as the editor of the food magazine and she is to work alongside the very man she wishes to avoid. Forced to be with the man she can't resist but whom her instincts tell her she can't trust, Pauline is in for an emotional roller-coaster ride with The Album as her companion and guide.
About the Author
Kathy lives in South Africa, where the summers are hot, the winters cool and bugs thrive. She writes romance in many forms, most of the time with women who feel deeply, men who care strongly and characters who learn lessons along the way. Every so often, she sprinkles a little magic in her stories. When she’s not writing, she makes sure her kids work hard as they do school at home, tries not to get too distracted by dust bunnies and cooks up a storm to keep the tummies full. When she’s not hectically busy, she loves reading romance and fantasy novels, watching movies, and dabbling in different crafty things, depending on her mood.
If you’re inclined to keep up with Kathy’s book news, you can follow her on her website: https://www.kathybosman.com or subscribe to her newsletter: https://eepurl.com/NokET
Other Books by Kathy Bosman
Wedding Girls Series:
Wedding Gown Girl
Three Tiers for Win
White Christmas Kiss
The Creators Series:
Dragonfly Moments
The Dance of the Firefly
A Better Promise
Novellas:
Reminding Me of You
His Halloween Kisses
Other Novels:
Cosmetic Heart
It’s Called Feng Shui
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