Red Julie (An Olivia Miller Mystery Book 2)
Page 23
Joe raised his glass. “To Aggie, for making my life the happiest I ever knew…for bringing me love…and for bringing me Liv.” They clinked glasses.
Olivia cleared her throat. She started to speak, but her voice broke. She rose from her chair and gave Joe a bear hug, resting her cheek on his shoulder. She turned to Brad and hugged him like a drowning woman. When she stepped back from him, she held his eyes for a moment and smiled. She returned to her seat and brushed her hand over her eyes.
Brad took his turn. “To you two…for making this home.”
Joe downed his champagne, sighed and stood up. “I’m off to bed. Better days are coming.” He kissed Olivia’s head and squeezed Brad’s shoulder. “Goodnight, Children.”
“Goodnight, Joe,” Brad and Olivia said.
The two sat in silence, sipping their champagne.
“I think I’m going to take up karate,” Olivia said. “I’ve said that before, but now I really mean it.”
“It’s probably a good idea,” Brad said. “Can’t hurt.”
“I should probably learn how to shoot, too.”
“Or at least learn how to load the gun,” Brad teased.
“It’s been a strange few months,” Olivia said. “I’m glad they’re over.”
“Amen to that,” Brad said. He looked at Olivia. Her hair shimmered in the moonlight. “You know, Liv, I think that a true friendship is a great gift.”
Olivia turned to look at him. Her heart sank at the word friendship.
“The past few weeks have shown me that it’s important to go with intuition, to believe in yourself and what you think is true. That life is short and precious.” Brad hesitated, but went on. “There’s something even more precious than friendship.”
Olivia blinked at him. Her heart did a flip. “What’s that?”
Brad got out of his chair and knelt next to Olivia’s. He touched her cheek. He moved his face close to hers, paused for a second, breathing in her scent. He closed his eyes and touched his lips to hers.
His lips on her mouth were as a light as a butterfly, and they sent sparks flying through her veins. She reached up her hand and placed it tenderly on his shoulder. Brad kissed the side of her neck and lifted his head.
“I intend to woo you, Olivia Miller.”
“Please do,” she said softly. Olivia could not believe how this man melted her heart. The best friend she ever had.
“Will blueberry cake be involved?” she asked.
“Most definitely.”
She took his face in both her hands, leaned in, and kissed him.
Author’s Note
I have taken liberties with the geography and landscape of the town of Ogunquit, Maine in order to suit the story, not to try to improve the area, since it is perfect just the way it is.
About the Author
J.A. Whiting lives with her family in Massachusetts where she works fulltime in education. Whiting loves reading and writing mystery and suspense stories.
Please visit her at www.jawhitingbooks.com