AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pulled my knee up in the booth. Excitement made me rush my words. “I’ve already had a few calls about lessons. I had no idea there were so many kids in the community who wanted to ride.” I rested my hand on his thigh, my fingers squeezing the solid muscle. “I think I can really do this. And…,” I said, lowering my voice to create suspense, “And, the U.S. Equestrian Team called me. They asked me if I was interested in being a judge.”
His eyes lit up. “Camille! That’s fantastic.”
I giggled and blushed. “Yeah, I guess.”
“No, really. Camille.” He pulled me to him. “I’m so proud of you.”
I nestled into his chest. “Thank you.”
“We need to celebrate.”
“Okay. What do you have in mind?”
His face scrunched up in thought, then he exhaled loudly. “Hmmm. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner, but Mia and John and I are going to Laguna Beach for Thanksgiving. My parents are also selling their house, and they want us to clean out anything we might want.”
I harrumphed. “At least you had some time.”
He ignored my self-pity. “When I get back, let’s have dinner.”
I’d miss kissing him. I pouted.
He nuzzled my neck. “Ah, poor Camille. I’ll see you when I get back. I promise.”
I shivered, and he laughed.
He left me at my car which was parked on the side street. We kissed, leaving me a little breathless. He waited until I drove off. In my rearview mirror, I saw him wave.
Thanksgiving with my family was… interesting.
Since the house had sold, my dad, Pamela and Jazzy stayed at the resort. When I arrived, I was greeted by the staff with genuine affection. It had been months since I’d walked out of here, homeless. I’d been in a less than stellar mood since my life had just been upended. Now, it felt good. I felt calmer and more purposeful.
Snow blanketed the slopes outside the windows of the restaurant. Later today, they would be filled with families zipping down the slopes, making pizza wedges with their skis.
The teenagers would wait until dark for night skiing, flasks of Kamchatka Vodka shoved in their inside coat pockets.
When Jazzy saw me, she ran to me. “Camille!”
I enveloped her in a hug. “Goodness, it feels like ages since I’ve seen you.”
She pulled back from me, and grinned. “It’s only been a few months.”
I held her back from me. “You look older. Did you do something different to your hair?”
She giggled. “No, I got my braces off.”
“Oh, that’s it. What a gorgeous smile you have.”
Mach came around the corner. “I see you aren’t starving.”
“Is that really how you want to greet your poor, homeless sister?”
He kissed me on the cheek, his expensive cologne wafting up toward me. “Just for you, your Thanksgiving feast is free.”
I rolled my eyes. “In the spirit of giving?”
He laughed, “In the spirit of giving. Good one, Camille.”
He rubbed Jazzy’s head. “Hey, squirt.”
