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a woman of faith. Do you really think God wants his precious ruby not to shimmer and sparkle?”
“Laurel, I wouldn’t even feel like myself without them.” She hung her head. “It’s almost like a security blanket at this point.”
Laurel clapped her hands together. “Well then, it’s a good thing you have me in your corner.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “Your friendship means the world to me.”
“Baby steps, my friend. Baby steps. I happen to know you have a new set of glasses. Ones that are far more flattering. Not to mention those contact lenses you were fitted for a few months ago. I’m not saying you need to change, Addie. But as one of your oldest and dearest friends, I just want you to know that it’s okay for you to shine.”
Addie sniffled and wiped away a stray tear. “On some level I know it’s okay to shine, but it’s always felt as if that was Tab’s job. It was all so effortless for her. I always hung in her shadow. I have to admit it felt comfortable. I need to adjust my thinking. Baby steps? You promise?”
“I promise, my friend.” She reached for her lemonade glass. “Let’s make a toast. To new beginnings!”
With a trembling hand, Addie reached for her glass and raised it to clink against Laurel’s. “To new beginnings,” she said in a trembling voice.
She silently prayed for courage to be the best version of herself possible. And she knew it had nothing to do with her outward appearance, although she did need to make some tweaks in that area. She’d never gotten past losing Tabitha. Her other half. And, in order to move forward with her future, she needed to deal with it. Addie needed to get closure and to figure out who she was past being Tabitha’s twin and the daughter of a rich and famous man.
**
Before the evening was over, Laurel had given Addie a few outfits to try on from her closet. Laurel worked at one of the largest real estate companies in the Southeast. She was a consummate professional who always managed to look fantastic in a wide assortment of clothing. Although it had been a tad bit painful to hear Laurel’s opinion of her fashion sense, Addie trusted her best friend’s opinion. She knew Laurel only wanted the best for her. That knowledge helped Addie realize she needed to make some changes.
“You look sharp!” Laurel raved as she stood before her in a navy skirt that skimmed her knees and a white sleeveless silk shirt.
Addie frowned. “It’s not too much. Too clingy?”
Laurel gestured toward the full-length mirror that stood in her bedroom. “Don’t take my word for it. Take a look at yourself.”
Addie stepped in front of the mirror. She let out a shocked gasp. The skirt fit her to perfection. It wasn’t tight at all, even though it felt way different than the loose, flowing skirts she’d been wearing for as long as she could remember. Laurel was right. She looked crisp, clean and as sharp as a tack. For a few moments she simply stood and admired herself.
“Like what you see?” Laurel teased. With her peachy complexion and green eyes, Laurel’s cheery disposition only added to her beauty.
Addie nodded. She felt a bit shy about complimenting herself. It wasn’t her way. She so very rarely thought highly of herself, which was fairly tragic. “I never dress like this, but I like the way I look.”
Laurel threw back her head and laughed. “Well, that’s a start. I think you look terrific. And I think Caleb Donahue will think so as well.”
Addie scowled. “I’m not doing this for Caleb Donahue. Like you said, I need to dress the part and portray myself in a professional light.”
Laurel gestured toward the clothes she’d gathered from her closet and placed on the bed. “Have at it. There’s a whole bunch of clothes sitting over there. Anything you like feel free to take.”
On impulse, Addie stepped toward Laurel and threw her arms around her. She was suddenly filled with emotion at Laurel’s kindness. She didn’t have a whole bunch of close friends. It made the ache from missing Tabitha ease up somewhat. She would never fully get over losing her sister, but having a supportive and loving friend like Laurel meant the world to her.
God had truly blessed her with Laurel’s friendship. He had heard her call and answered her prayer. Addie had other prayers she’d whispered to God in the hours between darkness and dawn. She’d asked for healing within her family and a love to call her own. Addie had never been in love. She’d never had a man tell her she was the earth, moon, sun and the stars. And she wanted love in her life so much. Sometimes the loneliness gnawed away at her. God didn’t want his children to be alone. He wanted them to love and be loved.
So much was changing in her life. She was changing. Perhaps love would find her. God willing, she would be able to walk through life with someone who loved and understood her. A man who would embrace her, flaws and all. Someone who saw greatness in Addie and inspired her to be the best version of herself possible. It was her most fervent wish.
“You never know what burdens a person is carrying on their shoulders. Treat them with kindness and respect. Always.”
Daniel Donahue
Chapter Three
Addie Fontaine was a complete enigma, Caleb realized. Who was she? He wondered. What made her tick? Caleb hadn’t even realized Sebastian Fontaine had children. Sebastian was a larger than life figure whose name and face were constantly splashed all over the tabloids. He had amassed a fortune back in his younger years and now controlled his empire with an iron fist. Reportedly a lady’s man, Sebastian seemed to enjoying living on the edge. Addie seemed as different from Sebastian as an onyx night from a glorious morning.
Caleb hadn’t counted on Addie crashing into his life. She had basically come out of nowhere and asserted herself as his partner at the Blue Bayou. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but Caleb was determined not to let anyone or anything get in the way of his dream. And there would be an opportunity in the future to buy himself out of the partnership with Fontaine. He just had to keep his cool and not allow himself to get derailed by the situation.
Patience was a virtue after all.
This morning Addie had arrived at work looking strikingly different than the first time Caleb had seen her. He couldn’t get over how Addie looked. Without the bottle thick eyeglasses, he could see her expressive eyes. And she had the longest eyelashes he’d ever seen in his entire life. He wasn’t sure if she was wearing eyeliner or something, but her brown eyes really popped. His brothers would laugh at him for using this expression, but Addie’s eyes were mesmerizing.
