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“It is and … I don’t know, I guess it’s just me being silly,” Raina said and attempted a smile, instead her eyes flooded with tears.
Kelly was alarmed and she placed her knife and fork back down. Something was very wrong; it was not like Raina to act so vulnerable. “Raina!” Kelly cried out. “Tell me what is it?”
Raina wiped her face with a napkin and then looked at Kelly.
“All this seems so pointless. Everything is going much better than I had hoped for yet I just feel empty inside. I know I have the kids but it doesn’t feel enough. I’m lonely as hell here, Kelly and I can’t shake it away. I keep thinking I’ve made a huge mistake by buying this place. What am I going to do?”
Kelly was taken aback and she did not reply immediately. This was so unlike Raina. She was usually the strong one, the one who carried on with a cheerful attitude whatever the circumstances.
“Is it … Christopher?” Kelly ventured.
Raina shrugged. “I suppo
se it could be.” She sighed heavily, slumping against the back of her chair. “He flooded my life with light and now I feel as though a switch has been turned off. He showed me it was possible for me to connect with someone on that level. Will I ever find someone like that again?’
Kelly fought the urge to tell Raina everything. If she did, chances were Raina would never want to hear his name ever again and she had no hope of convincing her to go on the road trip with her the coming Saturday.
Kelly hesitated, trying to choose her words carefully. “You will Raina. You’re an attractive woman and a really nice person. Any man would be lucky to have you in his life.” Kelly said.
Raina smiled shakily. “Thanks. I’m sorry; I know this is not what you had in mind when you came down.”
“It’s exactly what I had in mind. To be a friend.”
Raina took her hand under the table and held it for a moment.
“Now tell me everything. Is Pervy Roger still being a pest?” Raina said.
“Let’s not spoil the mood talking about that creep. Besides, I have a plan to fix him for good. He’ll never harass another woman again.”
Raina grinned. “You go, girl! Do tell.”
“Another time,” Kelly said, waving her off as though what was going on with Pervy Rog was small potatoes. “Now I have a plan for the both of us. I have a surprise for you next Saturday!”
Raina clapped her hands. “Oh I love surprises.”
“You’ll love this one,” Kelly said firmly, more to herself than to Raina.
There was just no telling how Raina would react when she realized the Christian was Christopher.
“We’ll drive to Paramount in the morning and return in the evening,” Kelly said.
Raina’s face fell. “My surprise is four hours away?”
“Yes Raina. It will be fun, and you need a day away from all this, however captivating it is.”
“What about the kids?”
“What about them? Didn’t you say that Susan is a wonderful babysitter? It’s just one day and I’m sure she’s capable of watching them for a day,” Kelly said, her stomach now in knots at the thought that Raina would refuse.
“I don’t know Kelly. Saturdays are always so busy here. I’d feel so guilty knowing I should be at work.”
“You’ve been at work every day for the last several weeks. Surely even you deserve a break? Your staff seem very capable. I’m sure they can cover for you for a few hours.”
“What shall we do once we get to Paramount?” Raina asked.
Kelly waggled a finger at her. “No! I can’t tell you. That’s the surprise.”
Raina gave it some thought while Kelly watched the different emotions on Raina’s face. She had no plan B and if Raina refused to go with her, then she would have to go alone. But that would not be as effective as having Raina with her.
