"Your mom said you're going down to Angel's Bay to clear out Carly's house," Lynda continued.
She nodded. "Yes, it might take a few weeks. Aunt Carly had a lot of stuff."
"Well, there are worse things than spending August at the beach."
"I know. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it," she said lightly.
"Can I give you one little piece of advice, Mia, if you don't mind?"
"Of course not," she said, tensing at the question. She didn’t know how much the rest of the family knew about her problems, but she was hoping very little.
"Don't be in a rush to throw things away. Sometimes what people leave behind is more important than you think. And there's a healing to touching and holding items that meant something to the person you loved."
Lynda's words brought unexpected moisture to her eyes. "I agree."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry." Lynda gave her an apologetic smile.
"I'm fine. I'm just a little emotional."
"As you should be. Loss is always difficult. But you're the perfect person for the job, because you love history and art. I think you're going to find both in your Aunt Carly's house."
"I am curious to see what's there. The last few years she rented out the cottage at the back of her house to artists passing through town or local painters needing a place to create their art. Aunt Carly never asked for rent money, but she did request that each artist leave behind one piece of original art when they moved on. I can't help thinking I might make a real discovery in that cottage."
"That does sound like a possibility."
"It looks like the party is starting," Mia said, as Emma took center stage.
"Just a few games. I promise they'll be fun," Emma said with a laugh, as her news was received with groans of displeasure.
Emma's determined gaze told the group that they were going to play whether they wanted to or not. "We're going to mix it up between baby and bridal, so our two favorite girls, Nicole and Maddie, will each feel special," she added. "Let's start with you, Nicole. You have to guess what's in the diaper bag that Ria is holding." She motioned toward the dark blonde holding an overstuffed tote bag in her hands.
Nicole shook her head. "I can't."
"Come on, you have to play," Emma said with a frown. "I know you think games are silly, but they're fun, too."
"I can't." Nicole stood up, a pained expression on her face as she held her stomach with both hands. "My water just broke. I'm in labor. Oh, my God, I'm in labor. It's too early. It's too soon."
"You'll be okay, Nicole," Lynda said, jumping to her feet as she rushed toward her daughter. "We're going to get you to the hospital."
"I'm going with you," Emma said.
"I'll call Ryan," Sara put in.
"I'm sorry, Maddie," Nicole said. "I'm wrecking your party."
Maddie waved a hand in the air. "Don't be silly. We'll celebrate after you deliver your beautiful daughter."
"It's too early. I wish Shayla were here," Nicole added, referring to her younger sister, who was also a doctor.
"She'll be at the hospital," Emma reassured Nicole as they left the living room.
"Never a dull moment at a Callaway party," Annie said, coming over to her.
"You can say that again. I hope everything goes well."
"It will," Annie said confidently.
"Okay, the party will now go on," Sara declared, taking charge. "We'll just focus on Maddie and celebrate Nicole's baby when she brings her home."
Buy IF I DIDN’T KNOW BETTER
Book List
The Callaway Family Series
#1 On A Night Like This
#2 So This Is Love
#3 Falling For A Stranger
#4 Between Now and Forever
Nobody But You (A Callaway Wedding Novella)
#5 All A Heart Needs
#6 That Summer Night
#7 When Shadows Fall
#8 Somewhere Only We Know
#9 If I Didn’t Know Better
#10 Tender Is The Night
Take Me Home (A Callaway Novella)
#11 Closer To You, Coming Soon!
The Callaways Boxed Set - Books 1-3
The Callaways Boxed Set - Books 1-8
Lightning Strikes Trilogy
#1 Beautiful Storm
#2 Lightning Lingers
#3 Summer Rain
Bachelors & Bridesmaids
#1 Kiss Me Forever
#2 Steal My Heart
#3 All Your Loving
#4 Before I Do
#5 Falling Into You
#6 Forever Starts Tonight, Coming Soon!
#1 A Secret Wish
#2 Just A Wish Away
#3 When Wishes Collide
The Wish Series Boxed Set
Contemporary Romance Novels
Almost Home
Ask Mariah
Daniel’s Gift
Just The Way You Are
Love Will Find A Way
One True Love
Ryan’s Return
Some Kind of Wonderful
Summer Secrets
The Sweetest Thing
The Way Back Home
Romantic Suspense Novels
All She Ever Wanted
Don’t Say A Word
Golden Lies
The Sanders Brothers Romanic Suspense Duo
#1 Silent Run
#2 Silent Fall
The Deception Romantic Suspense Duo
#1 Taken
#2 Played
The Angel's Bay Series
#1 Suddenly One Summer
#2 On Shadow Beach
#4 At Hidden Falls
#5 Garden of Secrets
About The Author
Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 50 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women's fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara opened her own publishing company in 2011 and has since sold over 6 million books! Twenty of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists.
Known for her emotional and compelling stories of love, family, mystery and romance, Barbara enjoys writing about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary adventures. She is currently writing a connected family series, The Callaways. If you love series with romance, suspense and a little adventure, you'll love the Callaways.
Barbara is also launching a new romantic mystery trilogy in with BEAUTIFUL STORM and LIGHTNING LINGERS, the first two books in the Lightning Strikes trilogy.
If you like lighthearted fun romance, check out Barbara's ongoing Bachelors & Bridesmaids Series featuring seven women who start out as bridesmaids and end up as brides.
For information: barbara@barbarafreethy.com
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Table of Contents
TAKE ME HOME
Also Available
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Excerpt - IF I DIDN’T KNOW BETTER
Book List
About The Author
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