Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) by Katie O'Boyle Read Free Book Online

places.”
    “Amen. I’d be dead without the program.”
    “When I get away from meetings, I get crazy; when I’m working my program, I’m calm and serene and focused.”
    “I know. You were serene when you gave me a body wrap and massage last week. It freaked me out to see you have a meltdown tonight.”
    “I’m sorry,” Gianessa said. “I remember you. Remy told me you were Joel’s sweetheart, and then he said, ‘Ooh la la. Such a story ma petite has to tell.’”
    Manda laughed at her perfect imitation of the spa director’s French accent. She’d been a little worried that Gianessa’s tone was flat, but suddenly her laugh was musical.
    “But then he wouldn’t tell me your story.” Gianessa turned toward her with a sunny smile. “Sometime I want to hear more about your story and about you meeting Joel and falling in love.”
    “I’ll probably speak at the Top Shelf meeting in March when I have a year. Where do I turn?”
    “Left at the next block. I’m sharing a townhouse with another woman who works at the Manse. Do you know Sara?”
    Manda grinned. “I sure do. We’re thrift-shop buddies.” She made the left turn. “Is that how you get to work every day without a car?”
    Gianessa nodded. “I’m lucky she’s willing to cart me around. But she’s not in the program, and I wouldn’t ask her to drive me to meetings.”
    “AA people will give you rides to meetings if you ask. How about going with me to Happy Hour tomorrow right after work, and I’ll introduce you around? Carol will be there. She’s the one who talked to us at the end of the meeting.”
    “She’s also the one who answered my phone call this afternoon. I recognized her name and her voice. That was nice of her to give me her phone number and offer to be my temporary sponsor.”
    “We’ll pick up a phone list at Happy Hour, too.”
    “Perfect, thanks.”
    “I’m an accountant at the Mansa, and I know you get paid this week. Just a suggestion, if you’re free Saturday or Sunday, I’m going to Rochester to visit Joel both days. You can meet him, and then we’ll go to Eastview. There’s a huge sale at L.L. Bean’s. Unbelievable discounts on winter coats and stuff.”
    “What is L.L. Bean’s?”
    “Seriously?” Maybe they don’t have duck hunting on the West Coast . “It’s a big outdoor-wear, sportswear and sporting goods store that a lot of people on the East Coast swear by. Good quality, and a good match for our weather.” As Manda stopped the Volvo in front of Sara and Gianessa’s townhouse, her teeth were beginning to chatter. “Some of the coats are good to forty below.”
    Gianessa turned to her with wide eyes. “Forty below . . . zero degrees?”
    Manda backpedaled. “It doesn’t get that cold here. I think the worst I’ve seen is twenty below.”
    Gianessa took a deep breath and whispered, “I’m okay. I can do this.” She cleared her throat. “I’m working Saturday but I’m free all day Sunday, so anytime that works for you. I really appreciate it.” She scribbled her cell number for Manda and dashed to the front door.
    Tony Pinelli let out a whistle. “Slick,” he pronounced, tapping his fingers on the plans spread out in front of him. He’d had his doubts about turning the ugly old garage at the Manse into a therapy suite for Joel’s recovery, but now that he saw the plans he knew it would work. It might even become a destination suite after Joel moved out.
    The project foreman, Ralph, gave a grunt of agreement. “Only problem, they need it done yesterday.”
    “No way. Joel’s still in the hospital, and he’s having more surgery Monday morning.” He examined the cavernous, multi-bay garage. They’d already gutted the structure, power-cleaned the concrete floors and insulated the floor on the far side, beyond the load-bearing columns. And he’d seen the hole they’d dug last week, behind the garage, for the therapy pool.
    Ralph’s gaze sharpened. “How do you know