Woven Wishes (Whispered Wishes Book 4)

by Karen Pokras

  Woven Wishes

  By Karen Pokras

  Book Four: Whispered Wishes Series

  Woven Wishes

  Book Four: Whispered Wishes Series

  © 2015 by Karen Pokras

  All Rights Reserved

  Published by Grand Daisy Press

  Digital Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please go to www.karenpokras.com.

  Disclaimer: The characters in this novel are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.

  Digital Edition, License Notes This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  For more information, please visit

  http://www.karenpokras.com

  Edited by Melissa Ringsted of There For You Editing

  Cover by Najla Qamber Designs

  Models: Courtney Boyett, Sara Beck, and Brittany Weidman

  Model Photographer: Casey Boyett

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  End Notes

  Excerpt: Merry Wishes – A Whispered Wishes Novella

  Other Books by Karen Pokras

  About Karen Pokras

  4 Years Later

  Chapter 1 - Tessa

  “The Stella Russo?” she shrieked.

  Nicholas stood with a casual stance, as if mentioning her name were no big deal.

  Placing her hands on her hips, Tessa circled him slowly before coming back around to meet his eyes. “The same Stella Russo who won the Academy Award for best actress in 2006 and 2007?”

  “And don’t forget 2008,” Nicholas reminded her. “It may only have been for a supporting role, but she’d be very upset if you forgot about it. You know how these actresses can be.”

  “But why? How?” Feeling slightly lightheaded, she slid into the chair the props people had forgotten to remove from the stage.

  Opening night at the River House Theater was just months away, and her leading lady, Angela Butler, had quit over the weekend without any notice. If what Nicholas was saying was correct, three-time Academy Award winner Ms. Stella Russo was about to be her new star. Tessa took a deep breath. Was he for real? Having a big name star would surely bring in sell-out crowds on a regular basis. It would be just the miracle her financially strapped theater needed.

  “I have connections,” Nicholas said, his eyes brightening. “Stella and I met years ago at an awards ceremony after-party before I knew you. Despite what the tabloids report, she can actually be a nice woman … when she wants to be. We shared dim sum at a place on Sunset Boulevard.”

  Shaking her head, Tessa looked up at him and smiled. “I keep forgetting you’re not a normal guy.”

  “I’m not quite sure if that’s a compliment or an insult,” he muttered, furrowing his brow. Walking around the empty stage, he stopped just before reaching the center, the spotlight above casting a glow on him as he looked down at her.

  Tessa cocked her head playfully. “In case you haven’t noticed, us normal people don’t have dim sum with Oscar-winning movie stars—or any movie stars for that matter. In fact, I’m not even sure I know what dim sum is.”

  Nicholas sighed. “As I was saying, when I was in Manhattan on business the other day, I ran into her agent. We were both in between meetings, so we decided to catch up over a glass of scotch. At first he was upset I didn’t invite him to the wedding, but you know, we had to draw the line somewhere.”

  “Five hundred seemed like a good number,” Tessa said sarcastically.

  “I guess that comes with me not being a normal guy? I have a lot of connections. What can I say? It comes with the territory. You love me anyway.” He tenderly caressed his wife’s face before leaning down to give her a kiss.

  “That I do,” she replied, wishing the kiss had lasted longer. She loved everything about him and still had to pinch herself regularly to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed recently. Just a few years ago she was a single mom, struggling to pay her rent, while working for Steven Abbott, the most horrid man who ever existed. At Abbott and Associates, she spent most of her time behind the scenes, compiling accounting reports for an old, stodgy multi-millionaire businessman named Nicholas Schilling, who as it turned out was neither old nor stodgy, although she didn’t realize it at the time. She eventually left that job to work at her brother-in-law Ben’s plant. Still not her dream job, as the theater had always been her first love, but a huge step up from Abbott’s place. Now here she was, running a theater and married to Nicholas. Life was good … very good.

  “So, tell me the part where Stella Russo comes in,” she coaxed, anxious to get all of the details.

  “Well,” he continued, putting his hands behind his back as he paced the floor—something her husband tended to do whenever he got excited about new business ventures, “we got to talking about you, your theater, and your dilemma. He made a few phone calls and Voila!”

  “Nicholas, you know I don’t want to use your money to keep this theater afloat,” Tessa said, sinking into her seat. While she was appreciative of his enthusiasm, and extremely grateful for her financial security on the home front, she felt uncomfortable asking for anything more. He’d already given her so much.

  “Look at me.” He grabbed a chair that was off to the side and sat down next to his wife. “Let’s get something straight. First of all, we’re married now—we have been for almost a year. It’s not my money, it’s our money. Second, I know how important this theater is to you. For the past few years, you worked your ass off as the bookkeeper at Ben’s plant, saving every penny you could. I know it wasn’t easy. And as much as it drove me insane every time you turned down my offer to help you financially, I understood this was something you needed to do by yourself. When this theater went up for sale last year, I let you handle it all on your own. Right down to applying for the loan and getting the funds together for the initial down payment. Having Stella Russo as your new leading lady has nothing to do with money. She offered to come here.”

  “But I won’t be able to even come close to paying her what she’s used to receiving. She’s a big star. You know our budget for wages is
pitiful. That’s probably why Angela walked out on us.”

  “Her agent says she’s between projects. Trust me, when it comes to working, a small job is better than no job. This is about timing and opportunity. That’s all.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. So what if I used one of my connections? It’s time you let me spoil you a little.”

  Looking over to her husband, Tessa smiled. He was such a good man and sexy as hell. Pinch. Yup, still real. “Okay,” she smiled, “you win. However, I’m going to be a nervous wreck right up until the moment I meet her … and even after. When do you think that will be by the way?”

  “We’re having dinner with her tonight, so you two can get to know each other and go over the details.”

  “Tonight? I’m meeting Stella Russo tonight?” The chair knocked over behind her when she jumped up in a panic. Yes, she needed an actress right away. Hell, she’d needed an actress from the moment Angela quit. But tonight? Stella Russo? She sat back down, this time on Nicholas’ lap, feeling lightheaded all over again.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side,” he said, gently stroking her arm. “It’s what I promised at our wedding, remember?” He brought her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed the tips of each finger. “You, my love, just have to remember that you promised to let me be there.”

  Chapter 2 - Ava

  “Thank you so much, Ava. I really appreciate you taking Sophie tonight. My sitter couldn’t stay late today. It’s a huge help.”

  “It’s no problem,” she replied, weariness filling her voice. When didn’t Tessa need help? As the oldest sister, Ava felt obligated to look after both of her siblings, but usually she felt more like a mother where her youngest sister was concerned.

  Tessa helped Sophie off with her coat and kissed the top of her head.

  “Do you really have to go, Mommy?” she asked with the same sad look Ava’s own children used on her regularly when they wanted something.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie,” Tessa replied. “This is a very important dinner. I’ll try not to be too late, okay?”

  “Logan’s in the family room, Soph. Why don’t you go see what he’s up to?” Ava suggested, trying to make Tessa’s departure as painless as possible. They watched as she headed off down the hallway.

  “She didn’t say good-bye,” Tessa said, looking as if she were about to go after her. “I hate it when she’s mad at me.”

  “Don’t worry. She’s being seven,” Ava reminded her, suddenly noticing her younger sister’s attire fit for a night on the town: black cocktail dress, heels, hair and makeup perfectly done. This was her emergency? Must be nice. Dressing up for Ava meant wearing sweats that didn’t have any tears or stains.

  Tessa headed toward the door, apparently past her moment of being upset over leaving her daughter. “I’m really sorry for the last minute notice,” she began, turning around and taking Ava’s hands. “Nicholas set up this business meeting for the theater with this celebrity actress, and …”

  “It’s okay, really.” She wasn’t in the mood to hear the details of her sister’s perfect fairy tale life. She had laundry to fold, toys to put away, and dinner to make. Plus, Ryan still needed a ride home from Mrs. Connelly, her babysitter. For two hours, twice a week, she was supposed to be “kid-free” to get stuff done. Somehow it never worked out that way. Today she had extended it to half a day. Hopefully, her three year old wasn’t too upset. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she wondered if she could extend it another thirty minutes to five o’clock. Logan still had swim practice to get to. Or maybe she could just drop him off and then get Ryan. After all, her middle child was almost eight, and hardly any of the other parents stayed to watch. Of course, now there was Sophie to worry about as well. Why did she always say yes when Tessa asked for a favor? She assumed it was out of habit.

  Before Tessa met Nicholas, Tessa’s life as a single parent was so stressful, and Ava knew how difficult being a single parent could be. Sure she was married—her and Max were going on thirteen years now—but if you counted the days he’d actually been home, it had probably been more like five … maybe six years. Such was the life of an airline pilot’s wife. It wasn’t easy, and she knew it was even harder for Tessa. Sophie’s dad had run out on them, and she’d worked long hours just to make ends meet. Back then she tried to help Tessa as much as she could. She and Holly both did. Yet her youngest sister hadn’t been single for a while now, and Ava was still doing all these favors for her. Nicholas, of course, had offered to hire a nanny to help, but Tessa would have nothing of it. She had a neighborhood teen come to the house each afternoon so she could work late at the theater, her sisters, and occasionally her parents who lived about an hour away. To her, that was all she needed. As much as Ava loved her children, she’d have taken that nanny offer any day.

  “Thanks, sis, I owe you one. I’ll call you later.” Tessa swiftly closed the door behind her without looking back or yelling good-bye to Sophie.

  You owe me more than one.

  “Jenna,” Ava called up to the second floor. “Jenna!”

  No response. Her daughter was probably listening to music with her headphones on even though she was supposed to be doing homework.

  “Jenna,” she yelled once more as she walked up the stairs.

  Ava opened the door to her daughter’s bedroom without a knock, not that her daughter would have been able to hear her anyway.

  “Jenna!” she yelled again with an impatient tone, yanking the ear buds out.

  “Mom! What are you doing?”

  “I’ve been calling you. I thought I told you no music while you do your homework.”

  “I’m just taking a little break,” she replied.

  “A break from what? You just got home from cheerleading practice. The rule is homework first. You know that.”

  “Fine.” She turned toward her book bag, rolling her eyes.

  “I saw that.”

  Ava wondered, as she often did, when exactly her sweet little girl had turned into a pre-teen. According to everyone she talked to, eye rolling came with the territory.

  When Ava had Jenna, she’d been so excited to have a little girl … a daughter of her own. Not that she would have been unhappy with a boy, but having grown up as the oldest girl herself, she knew how special that role could be. Once Jenna was born, Ava wanted her to have a sister, so she could experience the same bond she had with her own sisters. However, it seemed she was destined to be the big sister to two younger brothers instead.

  “Can you stay with Sophie for a little bit? She’s here, and I have to pick up Ryan and take Logan to swim practice.”

  “Okay, Mom,” Jenna said, smiling, obviously trying to get back on her good side.

  Despite the occasional tween attitude, Jenna was a good kid. Ava chalked it up to one part raising her daughter correctly and two parts luck.

  Ave returned the smile. “Thank you.”

  ~~~

  Logan didn’t seem to mind that his mom wasn’t coming inside for swim practice. He’d always appeared to be more independent than Ava remembered Jenna being at that age. She supposed eye rolling from her second child would be coming any day now as well. At least Ryan still enjoyed her company. Ava smiled, thinking about how he climbed into her bed every morning to snuggle. Reminding Logan she’d be back after she picked up his younger brother, she watched as her middle child entered the building. She had a few minutes before she had to go and sat in the parking lot with her head back and eyes closed. Miraculously, it seemed she had everything under control. For the next five minutes at least.

  Chapter 3 - Holly

  Holly sat in the doctor’s office anxiously waiting for the results, clutching her husband, Ben’s hand tightly. She didn’t understand why they were having so much difficulty. It seemed unfair. Her older sister had three children she could barely manage, and her younger sister had one she never wanted … well, she had wanted her, just not so soon. There was no doubt Tessa loved Sophie
. They all loved Sophie, and of course Ava could manage her kids just fine. Holly was just feeling bitter. She so wanted a child of her own to love. She’d dreamt of having children for years. It seemed wrong that she and Ben had to work so hard to make that happen. She loved being Aunt Holly, but more than anything wished someone would also call her Mom.

  Dr. Rowe closed the door before sitting behind his desk. He opened the manila folder and adjusted his glasses, unable to look Holly and Ben in the eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” he began.

  Holly didn’t hear anything the doctor said after that. She and Ben had saved every penny to pay for the in vitro fertilization. She was thrilled when the tests came in positive … her prayers had finally been answered. As much as she wanted to tell her family the good news, they decided to wait. The doctor had warned them the first trimester could be risky. Seven weeks into the pregnancy, Holly started to bleed. They rushed over to Dr. Rowe’s office and had an ultrasound.

  She was too numb to cry.

  Ben squeezed Holly’s hand even tighter, bringing her back to reality.

  “If we try again,” Ben asked the doctor, “what are the chances?”

  “Nothing changes,” Dr. Rowe explained. “The risks are the same. We don’t always understand why women miscarry. In your case, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to carry a healthy baby to term. Many couples who miscarry go on to have successful pregnancies.”

  They sat in silence in the doctor’s office as the tears began to stream down Holly’s face. Ben stared straight ahead, looking stoic. After a few tortuous moments, Dr. Rowe stood.

  “Again, I’m so sorry. I’m afraid I have another patient to see, but please take all of the time you need, and let me know what you decide.”

  “Thank you, Doctor,” Ben said on their behalf.

  Making their way through the parking lot toward their cars, Ben tried to tell Holly he would figure out a way to get the money. She knew he was just trying to cheer her up. They’d been through their finances a million times already. The situation was bleak. Ben kissed his wife good-bye and told her not to worry as he got into his car and headed back to work. One day they had a baby, the next day they didn’t. Holly couldn’t help but wonder why her husband wasn’t as shaken up as she was. Why wasn’t he there with her to grieve? He had plenty of vacation time accumulated. She needed him … with her.