Cienna's Amulet, A Christmas Romance (Raymara Barwil Romance) by Raymara Barwil Read Free Book Online Page B

grandmother.” 
    “My Damawyn? Thanks, but how do you know about my grandmother?” demanded Cienna, confusion turning to slight annoyance. Just who was this man and what did he want? Her heart pounded faster. His Spanish accent was rubbing her up the wrong way. Why was he looking her right in the eye like that?  
     
    “Cienna... I’m here about your father. Please can I come in?” 
    Cienna grabbed onto the doorframe and staggered backwards as the blood drained from her head. Miguel stepped forward and put his arm out to steady her. Cienna came to her senses and pulled away abruptly.  
    “Get back! What the hell did you just say? What the bloody hell are you talking about? I don't have a father!” she hissed, her eyes darkening as she glared at the man on her doorstep. She had seen him fleetingly as she went about her daily business over the past few months, but besides a brief introduction when he first moved in, they had never spoken. He lived across the road and as far as she knew, he was a writer.
     
    “My dear, you do have a father. You know you do… I really need to speak…”
    “If you don’t get off my doorstep right now, I won’t be responsible for my actions! It’s Christmas Day and you come here talking nonsense… Go away, you madman!”
    She slammed the door as hard as she could and stood shaking in the hall. She looked at herself in the hall mirror -- her cheeks were flushed, lips trembling.
     
    The doorbell rang. She grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.
    “What the f- oh!”
    It was Alice and Bethany. “Merry Christmas, lady! Now, who was that hottie at your door? Curious minds want to know,” giggled Alice.
    “Yes, now I would love to unwrap him on Christmas morning,” chuckled Bethany.
    “Girls, you don’t even want to know. Let me grab my bag and car keys -- I’ll tell you about it on the way,” said Cienna gravely, looking across the road at Miguel’s front door.
     
    Chapter Two
     
    “Wait, so you mean to tell me that this neighbour of yours knows your father, Cienna?” Bethany raised an eyebrow and took another sip of red wine.  
     
    Cienna guffawed and shook her head.  
     
    Alice topped up their glasses. They had eaten their very untraditional meal of Spanish tapas and were now on their third bottle of wine. Cienna had planned to drive home, but they now decided they would take a taxi. As she told the girls about her morning with the ring, the letter and then Miguel they were intrigued and kept ordering more wine. 
     
    “Don't you think it’s so spooky that the day you read this letter from your Damawyn, telling you to open your heart and mentioning your father, this man turns up at your door wanting to tell you about him? It sounds like it’s meant to be,” said Alice eagerly, “The universe must have called him to you…your Damawyn maybe…” 
     
    “Universe, schmooniverse! I love you Alice, but I don’t believe in all that New Age, hippy stuff, like you,” scoffed Cienna, “If that man crosses my path again, he’ll wish he was on another planet! He’s probably mentally unhinged -- you never know these days. I hope he’s not a stalker.” 
     
    “What a day you’ve had already, C” said Bethany, shaking her head. Her eyes were looking a little bloodshot and she hiccupped, and then rubbed her stomach. “Ah, girls, I hate to break up our party but I’ve got another Christmas dinner to try to eat! I promised Mum I’d be home by three and it’s... Oh my goodness, it’s three-thirty!” 
     
    Alice quickly stood up. “Me too; Darren will be waiting for me now -- hope he’s not burnt the potatoes... C, are you sure you won’t join us and stay over?” 
     
    Cienna gulped down the last of her wine and stood, then helped Bethany up. 
     
    “No hun; thanks both of you for joining me here. It’s been lovely, but I want to be alone with my thoughts for the rest of the day. Besides there are some classic films on TV tonight and you