by Jamie Conner
"And don't worry, there's nothing to be concerned about here. I sold the land to Rachel years ago when my daughter, Abella, got into some financial trouble and needed help. I didn't have the money to help her myself and my daughter didn't want to ask her brother for the money. At first, Rachel just offered to give Abella what she needed." Mrs. Leroux paused and let out a deep sigh. "She was a good person like that, always trying to help others — just like you Megan."
Megan couldn't help but smile. Being compared to her favorite writer in any way was a compliment she'd cherish.
"We were just friends then — although in hindsight there had been a special spark between us from the moment we met."
Megan glanced at Brandi who smiled and nodded her head. They knew a little something about special sparks.
"I wasn't comfortable taking her money though, Mrs. Leroux continued. That's when Rachel came up with the idea to split my parcel of land so she could purchase the part of the property that the cottage sits on. It was basically a business expense for her since she did all of her writing there, and knowing she'd receive something in exchange for her generosity made the offer easier for me to accept. A year or so after that I began to realize that my feelings for Rachel were more than platonic. I think it started with seeing how willing she was to help my daughter. We'd always said we loved each other — as friends — but I could no longer ignore that there was something more between us. Shortly after that we decided to make it official — at least in our own private way. Since Rachel didn't have any family she was close to, getting the PACS was really more about making sure that we could legally care for one another should something happen to either of us. Back then we figured we still had decades ahead of time to spend together. We had no idea things would change so soon."
Mrs. Leroux dropped her head and for a moment just sat quietly. Then she stood to her feet kissed both Megan and Brandi on the forehead and walked into the kitchen mumbling about fixing them all something to eat.
"Well, I guess that settles it," Brandi giggled.
Megan had to admit that there was something funny about Mrs. Leroux's determination to feed everyone no matter what else was happening in the moment.
"After we finish eating I'll talk to her about taking the PACS to the department of records. Once it's been filed the property can easily be placed back in her name and she won't have to worry about anyone trying to take it from her."
"And what about you?" Megan asked softly. "Will you still get your promotion?"
Brandi just shrugged. "Probably not, but I'm not upset about that. A promotion would only mean spending more hours at work and I have some other things I want to spend my time on now." Brandi wiggled her eyebrows.
"Oh really," Megan said. "And what else are you going to be busy with?"
"I'm thinking about going into the jam making business," Brandi said with a suggestive grin. "But I'm going to need a taste tester to make sure my product is good enough."
Megan got up from her chair and sat in Brandi's lap. "I think I'd like to apply for that job," she said and then gave Brandi a long, slow, French kiss.
Chapter 21
Megan stood in the winery doorway looking out at the backs of those in attendance. She could see Renee and Sophia snuggled together still enjoying married life six months after their honeymoon. Mrs. Leroux was sitting a few seats away from them next to Gerard. Across the aisle, she could see Angie and Megan's mom sitting together. They'd flown in from New York on the same flight.
Franco was bustling around giving instructions to the winery staff members who seemed more than a little annoyed by his meticulous decoration requirements.
"Are you ready?" a voice whispered behind her.
Megan turned and smiled a Brandi. "Ready as I'll ever be."
"Alright then, let do this!"
They stepped out of the winery building and started walking down the aisle toward the gazebo. When they reached the front row Brandi stopped and took a seat next to Megan's mother as Megan continued walking until she reached the podium positioned under the gazebo. When she turned around she was greeted by a sea of smiling faces. Everyone looked so happy for her that it immediately relaxed her nerves.
She tapped the microphone on the podium and began to speak.
"I have a lot of people to thank for helping me write this book and you can read all of their names in the forward. But there are a few people who I must single out. First and foremost I'd like to thank Rachel Durand. Rachel was a courageous writer who dared to tell complex stories about women who love women during a time when there were hardly any publishers who would even consider touching the subject. If it weren't for people like her little girls like me would have never seen themselves in novels, known that they were okay just the way they were or known that one day they too might find love.
I'd also like to thank my mother and my best friend Angie for their unwavering support. Next, I'd like to thank my patron, the woman who gave me a room of my own where I was able to finish writing the novel that I started ten years ago.
Finally, I'd like to thank the woman to whom this book is dedicated. To the love of my life Brandi Turner."
Megan took a deep breath and cleared her throat.
"And now I'll read Chapter One of A Timeless Love by Megan Garrett."
"When they first met Constance broke Jenny's heart into a thousand little pieces. Maybe that was the reason fate decide that Constance was the only one who could put the pieces back together again."
THE END
I hope you enjoyed reading St. Amelia's Kiss! If you'd like to receive an email notification when my next book is released please visit my website at:
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