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“So, how have you been?” Gerri asked and lit the already-clipped cigar.
“I’ve been great… I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree.”
“Congratulations,” Gerri gushed. “Education is so important to me. I love young people who are determined to get their diplomas. What did you major in?”
“Business and Economics.” Violet took her glass of wine and watched as Gerri sipped her drink with pursed lips. “I did it part-time.” Violet wasn’t sure why she felt like opening up to Gerri. She had a feeling that was one of Gerri’s secret abilities. “I think I had to work for a while and gain the wisdom of age before I could complete my degree properly.”
“Well,” Gerri had finished her drink and promptly ordered another one, “that’s the right idea. And what about work?”
Violet’s shoulders sagged as she thought about her job situation. She had only recently become unemployed. And not under good circumstances.
Violet took a deep breath and swallowed the rest of her wine in one large gulp. The barman discreetly filled her glass again as she caught Gerri up on what had happened.
“About two weeks ago, we all went to work as usual. But when we got to the center, the entire place was ransacked.”
Gerri gasped and inhaled some of her cigar smoke. Then she waved at the barman, who brought over some snacks.
“The windows were broken, and all our equipment was stolen. Computers, printers, everything.”
Tears prickled in Violet’s eyes as she thought about all Senior Rights had lost. “Whoever broke in also stole the food, clothing, and toiletries that we had collected for the elderly. We had to close because we didn’t have the funds to fix the windows and replace everything.”
Senior Rights focused on helping vulnerable senior citizens with filing for social welfare or just giving them something to do for the day. They also helped the homeless population over the age of sixty in Philadelphia.
Only when Senior Rights had been forced to close did Violet realize she had finally found what she wanted to do. She had cried like a baby when she first witnessed the destruction… not because of what she had lost, but because fifty people would be going hungry for the first time in five years.
Senior Rights had been more than a day center or administration office. At Senior Rights, they also rescued abused older adults from their families. They had identified the early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s among their regulars.
It had been difficult work. But it was worth it. They had saved lives. And they would have continued to do so. But then it was all destroyed in a second.
Violet’s face had grown hot, and tears welled in her eyes again. “I resigned,” she murmured to Gerri. “There was no hope of staying on at Senior Rights. I hoped I could use my business degree to do something I’m passionate about.”
Gerri placed a cool hand around her wrist, and Violet smiled at her gratefully as she wiped her tears away. “You’ve been through a lot. Which is why you need to focus on yourself for a while. And also focus on getting to know your fated mate.”
Violet’s sadness about Senior Rights had not dissipated, but warmth rippled through her at Gerri’s words. She had to focus on the good time she would have this weekend. She had to focus on finding her mate and being there for herself.
She had to focus on the new start being offered to her.
“And speaking of passion,” Gerri said, “the racetrack and the life surrounding it is all about passion. So, it makes sense that your fated mate is caught up in this world.”
“Yes, I suppose it does.” Violet was slowly starting to feel better.
“Now, go up to your room and relax. You need to unwind from everything you’ve been through, but there will be a special dinner tonight, and your fated mate will be there.”
Gerri ordered another whiskey sour, and Violet marveled at the woman’s constitution. She had had about five drinks and was steadier in her high-heeled shoes than Violet was in her sneakers.
She kissed Gerri on the cheek and then headed up to the penthouse suite.
* * *
Craig had been right.She had an excellent view of the racetrack through the floor-to-ceiling windows in her suite.
Her bags had been brought up. She kicked off her shoes, then changed into something more comfortable. She examined herself in the mirror before she went over to the windows.
Was she ready to meet her fated mate?Violet wondered.Yes!
Violet had always been fuller-figured, a fact that had never bothered her. She was proud of herbody, and the three days a week that she spent in the gym was proof of that. Her strong, hourglass figure looked perfect, even clad in sweatpants and a baggy shirt. She ran a hand through her dark, wavy hair that fell to the middle of her back.
Violet smiled giddily at herself, then grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-bar and went over to the windows. She sat in a lounge chair that faced the window and unscrewed the bottle cap.
