“Don’t you?”
She looked back at Keefe. He was entirely too smart. “She moved into our parents’ house, but I don’t know if she’s still living there.”
“Try the number and see. If someone else answers, maybe that means you aren’t meant to find her.”
Marci slowly opened the phone and punched in the number she’d always remember. She heard two rings, three.
“Hello?”
Her heart slammed into her throat at the sound of her sister’s voice. “M-Mary?”
“Yes. Who’s this?”
She swallowed back the lump of tears. “It-it’s Marci.”
Marci heard a gasp, then Mary’s voice again, softer now. “Marci?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh my God, Marci.” She could hear the tears in her sister’s voice. “Is it really you?”
“It’s really me.”
“I can’t believe… I’ve wanted to call you so many times and apologize. I was so stupid when Mom and Dad died.” Her voice broke on the last word. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m still in Seattle.”
“Can you come down? Things are a little crazy for me right now with Patty’s classes and band lessons—“
“Patty?”
“My daughter. She’s seven.”
Marci had a seven-year-old niece she’d never met. Tears flowed down her cheeks at all the things she’d missed in her sister’s life. “You have a daughter?”
“Yes. She’s wonderful, the light of my life. J.D. and I didn’t plan her, but she’s—“
“Wait a minute. J.D.? You two got back together?”
“Two years after the divorce. We’re so happy now, Marci.” Mary sniffed. “You and I have so much to talk about.”
“Yes, we do.”
She looked at Keefe…at the mane of hair she loved to touch, his intense blue eyes that seemed suspiciously moist right now, the lips that thrilled her when they turned up in a smile. He was her rock, her anchor.
The man who made her complete.
Keeping her gaze locked with his, she picked up his hand from her leg and entwined their fingers. “I have someone for you to meet too.” She kissed the back of his hand. “Someone very special.”
Epilogue
Ashlyn shivered when the cold air settled over her. She knew before she turned around to face Llyr that he was leaving her.
His face was solemn when she looked at him. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “I have to go, lass.”
“Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“Ye know I canna do that. I’ve already stayed longer than I should’ve.”
Yes, she knew he couldn’t put off leaving when he was summoned. Every god and goddess left immediately when they were called. She twisted her hands together in front of her. “I’ve gotten used to having you around. You’ve been such a help to me in the store and with the women who’ve come in here. A man’s opinion has meant a lot to some of my customers.”
“I’ve enjoyed helpin’ ye.” A hint of a wicked grin curled his lips. “I’ve enjoyed the private shows ye’ve done of yer frilly things.”
With each new shipment that arrived, Ashlyn had picked out her favorite items and modeled them for Llyr. He’d always shown his appreciation by making love to her over and over until she lay in an exhausted heap.
“When will you come back?”
“I donna know.” He stepped up to her and cradled her face in his hands. “But I
will
be back, darlin’. I promise ye that.”
His kiss sealed that promise. Ashlyn clung to his waist and kissed him back. It hurt every time he left. This time, it was harder to let him go since he’d been here five weeks. She’d never had him all to herself for such a long period of time. It had thoroughly spoiled her.
Llyr ended their kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “I love ye, Ashlyn.”
He’d never said that to her. Ashlyn had always known he cared for her, but he’d never used the word
love
. “I love you too,” she said, her voice breaking from the tears she tried not to shed.
He released her and stepped back. She folded her arms across her stomach and watched as he slowly faded from her view. Before he disappeared completely, he blew her a final kiss.
Ashlyn covered her mouth with one hand. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She and Llyr couldn’t be together the way mortal couples could. That knowledge didn’t stop her pain.
She heard the tinkling of the bell above the store’s entrance door. She plucked a tissue from the box by the register, wiped her cheeks and blew her nose. Llyr had his duty and so did she. Every woman she helped to feel more attractive about herself, to find love, made Ashlyn happy. She had to concentrate on that and not on how much she’d miss Llyr.
He would be back. He’d made a promise to her, and he’d never broken a promise in five hundred years.
Forcing a smile, she stepped from behind the counter to greet her two thirty-something customers. “Hi, ladies. I’m Ashlyn. Welcome to Lavender Lace.”
The End
About the Author
Lynn LaFleur was born and raised in a small town in Texas close to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Writing has been in her blood since she was eight years old and wrote her first “story” for an English assignment.
As well as writing at every possible moment, Lynn enjoys reading, scrapbooking, photography and learning new things on the computer. She’s a software junky and loves to try out new programs, especially anything to do with graphics.
After living on the West Coast for 21 years, Lynn now lives 17 miles from her hometown in Texas. She’s a romantic at heart and can’t imagine ever writing anything but romances. A full-time writer, she spends her days creating stories of people who find their happily ever after, sometimes with the help of an alien or psychic or vampire.
Lynn welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her
author bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
.
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Also by
Lynn LaFleur
Coopers’ Companions 1: Rent-A-Stud
Coopers’ Companions 2: Michelle’s Men
Coopers’ Companions 3: Almost Perfection
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails I
anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction IV
anthology
Turning Point
with Randi Monroe
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.