For the past hour or so, she’d found herself surrounded by women—and Manny—discussing the night’s romance book, as well as life, relationships, and approximately seventeen other unrelated topics. Not that Wren had contributed much. Or anything. But she’d enjoyed the conversations because they were so entertaining.
Unbeknownst to her, tonight had been exactly what she needed, because for a little while, she’d managed to forget Grayson.
Until someone mentioned his name.
“This wine,” Edith said, topping up Wren’s glass and her own, “is dangerously good.”
“I swear Grayson has some kind of magical powers when it comes to his red blends,” Nora added, agreeing.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that at all,” Edith said. “Seems to be lots of magic surrounding you Storms.”
Wren frowned, confused.
Remi saw her expression and grinned. “You don’t know about the family curse, do you, Wren?”
Wren shook her head. “Curse?”
“Legend,” Mila corrected.
Remi snorted. “Curse sounds waaaaay more dramatic.”
Edith put her wineglass down, rubbing her hands, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, this is more romantic than the book we just read.”
Remi rolled her eyes. “Agree to disagree on that book being romantic.”
Gretchen ignored Remi. “The legend is very romantic.”
Mila, who was sitting on Wren’s other side, twisted to face her. “Basically, every Storm recognizes their soul mate with just a touch.”
Wren stared, wondering if she’d drunk too much of Grayson’s delicious wine. “What?”
“Love at first touch,” Gretchen said, reiterating what Mila said. “It’s true. Theo swears the second we shook hands, it was like he’d been struck by lightning, and in that moment, he knew I was going to be his.”
Wren took a moment, trying to decide if that was romantic or weird.
Mila laughed. “I can see you think we’re crazy, but I felt it myself. The first day Boone arrived at the farm, I was taking the Christmas lights down from the front porch. The ladder slipped and I fell. Boone caught me, but I swear it feels like I’ve been falling ever since. It was as if I’d been swept up in a tornado. I knew in that instant that we were meant to be together.”
“And the same thing happened with Uncle Rex,” Nora added, “and Levi and?—”
“Me,” Ella chimed.
Ella was the one member of the book club Wren really hadn’t known until this evening. While she hadn’t been particularly close to any of the Storm women, they’d all lived their entire lives in Gracemont, so their paths had crossed from time to time. Ella, however, was a newcomer to town. Or perhaps it was more correct to say a “returner” to town. When Edith had first introduced them tonight, she’d explained that Ella and her family had lived in Gracemont for a few years back when Ella was in high school.
Of course, she had known Ella by her pen name and reputation as the Gracemont Public Library had quite a few Grace Decker novels in the romance section. Wren had been a bit starstruck at the beginning of the book discussion, thrilled to be in the same room as one of her favorite authors. That shyness had faded quickly because Ella was so genuine, sweet, and down-to-earth. She’d even agreed to stop by the library next week to autograph her books.
“I met Maverick when we were juniors in high school. I dropped some books, and he bent down to help me pick them up. He said when his hand brushed against mine, he fell head over heels in love. Right then and there,” Ella said, smiling almost wistfully as she shared the memory. “Unfortunately, my family moved just before my senior year, but Maverick never forgot me.”
Edith took up the tale. “When I invited her to Gracemont for a visit, I had no idea I was righting a wrong, giving fate a little help.”
Manny chuckled. “Oh, Auntie. If it was between you and fate, I’d ask you for help. Better odds at getting what I want.”
No one in the room laughed or disagreed with that statement.
“You all really believe this?” Wren asked.
Everyone nodded.
“And the Storm men? They believe it too?” She couldn’t help but ask for the clarification, because she was curious if perhaps Grayson felt the same way these women did.
