“Thanks.” Ernest turned and climbed into the car. The car doors shut. Engines roared to life one after another, and the line of vehicles began to move steadily toward the gate.

Hadley stood still, eyes fixed on the last car. She knew Linda was inside. As the vehicle slowly disappeared from sight, something inside her shifted.

Her heart pounded faster, and her breaths came quicker.

Linda was gone.

She was really gone!

All at once, it felt like a heavy curtain had been pulled back. The atmosphere lightened. Even the air felt fresher somehow. And then, she felt warmth in her hand.

Eric had taken her hand. His presence pulled her back down to earth.

Still in a daze, Hadley looked up at him.

“Let’s go home.” Eric smiled and nodded toward the kids. “Time to get them bathed and ready for bed. They’ve got a lot of growing to do.”

“Mm.” Hadley nodded, her voice catching in her throat. Slowly, she began to return to herself.

Early Sunday morning, Elissa arrived at Olisvale Bay.

“Morning,” Hadley greeted her warmly. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Not yet…” Elissa admitted, looking slightly embarrassed. “Did I come too early?”

She leaned in a little and lowered her voice. “Will Mr. Scott be upset?”

Hadley chuckled softly. “Are you really that nervous around him?” There was no mistaking the genuine unease in Elissa’s eyes.

Now that Hadley thought about it, she couldn’t blame her. Both Ernest and Eric were intimidating in their own ways.

“Don’t worry,” Hadley said with a shake of her head. “He left before dawn. He’s in Tidebourne for the day and won’t be back until tonight.”

Stay tuned at gα?ησνs?com

“I see.” Elissa sighed in relief. “Turns out being rich isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Up before sunrise, working late, and not even a break on weekends.”

Hadley linked arms with her. Together, they made their way to the dining room. “The kids are still asleep. Those two stayed up late last night, whispering and giggling long past their bedtime. Let them sleep in. We’ve got time. Come on, let’s have breakfast.”

“Sounds good.”

They settled at the table and chatted between bites. “You’re free these days, and you’ve got the day off. How about we go shopping later? Maybe grab lunch out?”

“Shall we bring Locke and Joy along?”

“Of course.” Hadley paused for a brief moment and added, “Should we invite Colleen too? She’s the good friend of mine I told you about before. You remember her, right?”

“Yeah.” Elissa nodded.

She hadn’t met Colleen personally, but Hadley had mentioned her a few times before. And from what she’d gathered, Colleen had recently come back to Srixby.

“Colleen’s really easy to get along with,” Hadley added. “She’s a wonderful girl. I’m sure you two will hit it off.”

.

.

.

Read complete version only at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?.net