by D. A. Young
“That name, though!” Guy teased Alexei who was sitting on the settee with Vivienne, surrounded by their grandchildren.
“It’s a fine, strong name,” Vivienne kissed her husband’s red cheek.
“I’m honored that I was even considered,” Alexei said deeply. “Thank you.”
“Kiss-ass,” Casey muttered and Sid elbowed him.
“Language,” she lectured.
“Who are you?” Guy wondered and she stuck her tongue out at him. Motherhood had mellowed her. Somewhat.
Jack slung his arm around Noelle’s shoulders. “I can hear your biological clock tickin’.”
“It’s like these babies keep trying to out-cute each other! What do you think?”
“I’m tellin’ you right now that I’ll practice all day with you, love, but I only have enough energy for one more.”
Noelle kissed him tenderly. “Like you have to practice. I vote we revisit the topic when the kiddos are potty-trained and talking in complete sentences. That way, we can give ourselves time to forget how insane it all was.”
Holt and Kat arrived, exchanging hugs and kisses before immediately swooping in on Liam.
“Sorry we’re late! Holt had a meeting with the foundation that ran longer than expected. He’s sooo dreamy!” Kat beamed, allowing her husband to take him from her. “I can barely pick him up, though!”
Holt had no problems doing so. He peered closer at Liam and looked at Kat. “Did you see that?”
Her forehead crinkled. “It looked like he winked?”
The baby shook with laughter, and Kat and Holt joined in. “Is he for real?” she asked Avery incredulously.
“He’s our little ham,” her sis-in-law proudly declared.
“Is he though?” Guy asked dubiously. “Little, I mean?”
He ducked away from Darby’s fist. “I’m kiddin’! I’m kiddin’!”
“No big-bone shaming him!” Avery admonished.
“How long are you guys staying?” Vivienne asked Holt and Kat.
“We are actually goin’ to be here for awhile. Zoraida is performin’ excellent in her position as the director of the foundation. A fact that drives my cousin Blaise nuts. Those two are constantly buttin’ heads.”
“Yup and it’s kind of like those two were in the beginning,” Kat pointed at Casey and Sidra. “It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.”
“Blaise doesn’t even realize he’s been compromised,” Holt agreed.
“Do you two have any good news to share with us?” Vivienne inquired. “Like we might have more additions nine months from now or sooner?”
Alexei groaned.
“Lex, do you have anything you’d like to say? Because you were just fawning over our new grandson five minutes ago.”
“You can relax, Dad.” Holt loved needling him. “We’re choosin’ to wait a short while longer. Kat wants to open the showroom, and I’m ready to get back to Americana Traditions.”
“That actually works out good for me,” Guy spoke up. He ran a hand through his hair nervously. “As you all know, Fern and I have been datin’. The long-distance thing has kinda taken its toll. I’ve asked if she’d consider movin’ here, and she countered by askin’ if I would move to Baymoor. I think I’d like to see what it’s like to live somewhere else for a change.”
Jack whistled softly. “Look at Pip, all grown up.”
Guy blushed. “I know, right? I have to at least try. She’s worth it.”
The group offered their congratulations and hugs.
When the family left that night, D.J. offered his own brand of well-wishes. “Uncle Guy, I’m sad to see you go. However, I do want you to know that this isn’t the end of our relationship. I’ll make sure to come and visit you—”
“I will not be your gateway to Camille!”
Guy tossed his keys in the air as he walked to his vintage Chevrolet truck. He’d reached it and noticed a crunch under his soles.
It was glass.
Everywhere.
All of the windows to his pride and joy had been smashed.
***
The next day, Holt and Kat were enjoying their standard Sunday brunch date with their parents at the Romankov estate when Cruz showed up.
“Cruz, pull up a chair. What would you like to eat?”
“No thank you, Senora. I’m afraid I can’t stay. I’ve actually come to say farewell for now.”
“Where are you headed?” Holt asked.
“What will happen to the shop?” Alexei inquired.
“The shop stays. I’ve hired a nice couple who know their way around a vaca.”
The Holt, Alexei, and Elin understood. When the call came, you answered, no questions asked. Alexei and Holt shook Cruz’s hand. “If you need us, pick up the phone. We’re there. No questions asked.”
Cruz smiled thinly. “I will keep that in mind, amigos. This is far from goodbye. Until we next meet. Adios.”
Once he left town, Cruz stopped in Gatlinburg and pulled up to a black Escalade waiting idly at a gas station. The back window lowered.
“We’re even now?”
“Consider it so.” Madam Lalita smiled. He did not return the gesture. “Always so serious, Crucito! You need to find a nice woman and settle down. Where will you head next?”
“I don’t know. I just plan to be far from here when Romankov figures out the lengths you’ve endured to accomplish your goal. From this point on, keep me out of it.”
He didn’t bother waiting for a reply and zoomed off.
***
“This is what I’m talking about,” Vivienne groaned as the masseuse pounded her shoulders.
“Every time I let you drag me here, I think it’s a silly waste of time until we lie on this table,” Elin moaned. “Where is our daughter?”
Vivienne lifted her head and peered around. “She’s grabbing smoothies from the bar.”
Kat was walking back to them when she was intercepted by the last person she thought to encounter in Whiskey Row.
“Hello, dah-ling!”
“Madam Lalita!” Kat managed to hang on to the tray as the woman embraced her. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought our last collaboration went so well that I wanted to work on a new one.”
“Of course. I had a lot of fun. Did you receive my flowers? Thank you so much for the wedding dress and cape! Holton and I got married a couple of days after that.”
“I know. The pictures were lovely.”
Kat frowned. “How did you see them? They were private.”
Madam Lalita ignored her question. “Katerina, I specifically selected you for my next project because I am in awe of you and your talent! I have said from the beginning that you impressed me from the moment we met. You have always exuded impeccable style, class, and grace, and I’ve enjoyed watching you evolve into an even more glorious human being.”
“With praise that lavish, how could I possibly say no? What’s the project? And you didn’t answer my question.”
“I want you to connect me with my daughter.”
She removed her turban dramatically and whipped her glasses off, epically revealing her long hair and eyes.
Kat said nothing.
Her tray crashing to the marbled floor said it all.
The familiar delicate bone structure.
Feline, molasses eyes.
Faded, copper waves.
Vivienne joined them. “Honey, are you okay?”
Her stare swiveled to Madam Lalita whom her daughter couldn’t look away from. Then back to Kat. Vivienne paused. Slowly, she pivoted back to the profusely sweating older woman who’d never allowed anyone to see her exposed or unnerved.
“Hello, Vivienne. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
THE END
As I mentioned in my author’s letter, some characters aren’t meant to stay in The Row. That doesn’t mean they won’t get a story. It just means it will happen elsewhere.
Cruz Merada is my anti-
hero / hero. I can’t wait to figure out which side of him wins. I Iook forward to sharing the spin-off adventure of him, Vivienne Romankov, and Madam Lalita’s story with you in 2020.
Author’s Acknowledgements
Readers –Thank you for trusting my process! I take nothing for granted and am humbled by your continued support. I’ll always start with that because it’s true. You wanted this book to happen even more than I did! Your love for Whiskey Row makes me cry ugly-happy tears. Thank you.
Ideality Consulting – So happy to be working together again! Thank you for your attention to detail, understanding my vision, and invaluable research! Thank you for allowing me to bend your ear and simply getting it.
Little Pear Editing – Another adventure done! Thank you for your incomparable, kick-ass talent, understanding my vision, the laughs, and essential feedback! Thank you for always doing more. And more. And more…HUGS.
Riley Baxter – Thank you for providing a fresh perspective on this couple. It was a pivotal moment in this adventure. More than that, thank you for being you.
Kim Golden – Thank you, thank you so much for your invaluable feedback! I appreciate you sharing it with me!
T. E. Black – Thank you for understanding my vision! You always succeed in bringing it to fruition! It’s always a pleasure to work with you. This may be my favorite cover yet!
My betas –Tia Stewart, Latifah Scott, and Emma Robinson-Kohlheim, thank you ladies for your feedback, encouragement, and support. You each brought something invaluable to the table. I absolutely appreciate your time and dedication to this adventure.
My family and friends – Thank you for your endless support and unconditional love. I love you beyond the moon and back. Thank you for being so amazing! To my best friends- Queens that hold me down and understand and support this crazy adventure – Thank you. I pray that I’m as supportive for you, as you are for me. My husband – Simply the best. Thank you for everything you do and those kiddos, especially my little cheerleader.
About The Author
D. A. Young is a daughter, mother, Gigi, wife, and work in progress who loves God and the life she’s been blessed to create with her family and friends. Food, traveling, reading, and music are her passions. Raised on dramas like “Dynasty” and “General Hospital”, D. A. Young is an author of adventures featuring multiple characters and subplots.
