Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) by Katie O'Boyle Read Free Book Online Page B

He needs to go with me.”
    Gwen spoke up. “And I have clients Monday, but Rick should ride along.”
    “No problem,” Gianessa agreed. “Anything else right now?”
    “Gianessa,” Gwen said quickly. “Where can we find some maternity clothes for Haley?”
    Gianessa gave her the names of several stores she liked at Eastview Mall in nearby Rochester, and they signed off.
    That done, Gwen handed the phone to Haley and took a seat at the island. Haley screwed up her courage to call the doctor’s office. It was not an easy negotiation and not without a few tears, but once Haley had booked her appointment at Dr. Bowes’ clinic for noon on Monday, Gwen felt more optimistic about her role as the go-to woman in Haley’s life.
    Another quick phone call assured them that Gianessa’s husband was on board with driving Haley and Rick, even though it meant leaving an hour earlier. Gianessa asked Haley to make a list of questions and concerns for Dr. Bowes.
    While Haley wrote her list, Gwen caught up with her friend. As their conversation wore down, Gwen said, “I never asked if you want to come shopping with us?”
    “I would love to, but I’m picking out furniture for the nursery.”
    A smile spread over Gwen’s face. “Have a wonderful time.” A little flutter in her belly made her hope she’d be doing that for her own baby in a year or two.
    Justin Cushman offered his elbow, with a wink for his very pregnant spouse. “Come for a drive?” he enticed with a twinkle in his eye.
    Gianessa had been cautioned several weeks earlier to stop work, curtail vigorous activity, and guard against falls. She resisted anything that resembled fussing, but a little experimentation had shown Justin that “gallant” worked very well.
    Gianessa took his arm, with a raised eyebrow.
    “It’s time to see our new house,” he explained.
    Her mouth made an O, and she nodded with gusto. “There’s a road and everything?”
    “A beautiful gravel drive from the highway.”
    “Does this mean the house is finished?”
    “Very close, sweetheart. We’re at day four of a ten-day countdown.” As he led her carefully down two flights to Lakeside Terrace, he told her, “Until last week it was a gaping skeleton. Now the windows are in and the systems are working, and it’s the home we planned. I think you’re going to approve.”
    His Saab was already at the front door, pointing downhill. “You knew I’d come along, didn’t you, dude?” Gianessa’s laugh was a melody that warmed his heart.
    “You couldn’t resist.” Justin helped her into the passenger seat and they rolled down to the highway. Once on the Cushman grounds, the Saab crested a high hill and glided down through evergreens to a birch grove. “The last time you saw it, we’d just broken ground.”
    “But Gwen is across the lake. She’s been issuing weekly reports. I know it’s three stories and lots of glass.”
    “That’s true.”
    They emerged from the trees, and Gianessa gasped. Words failed her, but she squeezed his thigh and laughed with delight.
    Justin reveled in the wonder in her amethyst eyes. Gianessa Dupioni Cushman was the most desirable woman he’d ever known, and, coming from someone who had done business on four continents, that was saying a great deal. Now pregnant with their twins, she had never been more beautiful.
    He stopped near the front door and helped her from the car and across a stone terrace. “The entry makes it look like the house is just one level. The other two levels stack below, as the slope falls away. Do you approve?”
    “It’s inviting.” Gianessa squinted at the massive, teak front door. “Will I be able to open this, dude?”
    “Formidable, isn’t it?” Justin nodded. “Try it.”
    She pressed the latch, and the door swung open. “Easy.”
    Once inside, they passed through a large entry into the great room, made for entertaining. Its wall of windows framed the view they both loved.
    She pressed her forehead to the