Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) by Rebecca Lorino Pond, Rebecca Anthony Lorino Read Free Book Online

kissed the top of his blond curly head.  Yes, she was definitely going to miss this.
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Grace was packing as fast as she could.  She waited until the last minute to get ready to leave not wanting to waste a minute of the time she had left with her family.  William would be there within the hour to get her and bring her to the airport.  She did not have much to pack as she had clothes in Italy to wear and it would be a perfect opportunity to pick out this year’s most desirable new Italian fashions.  She was looking forward to shopping for handbags and shoes.  In her opinion, all the best shoes in her closet were bought in Italy. 
     
    She finished with the large bag she would have to check and was now working on the carry-on.  She always packed two outfits as well as her makeup in her carry-on, just in case her checked luggage was lost.  She never wanted to experience the lack of essentials she felt after the airline misplaced her luggage once before and she would always be prepared for that scenario when she traveled now.  With all her stuff packed and ready, she made her way down the marble staircase into the grand foyer of the Hamptons house, the butler following behind her with her suitcases, placing them near the front door. 
     
    The children, accompanied by Nanny Jillian, looked so sad to see their auntie go.  Gianna was tearing up, and Chelsey refused to look at her as if she was mad that her aunt was actually going to leave.  Jacob, it seemed, was the only one that did not realize exactly what was going on.  Emily approached her in an embrace.  She hugged her best friend tight and kissed her on the cheek. “Gracie, I hope we see you really soon.  I had a fabulous weekend with you.  Don’t stay away too long this time. ” She started to tear up and nudged her toward Michael, looking away so Grace would not see the tears starting to wellup in her eyes.
     
    Michael stepped up to enclose her into his arms, “I agree with Em.  Don’t be a stranger.  We really had the most wonderful time this weekend.  Let’s do it again real soon. ” He squeezed her tighter than he probably realized.
     
    Grace started to feel confused by the attention she was receiving.  “Really guys, it’s not like I will never see you again.”  She smiled to lighten the mood of all those serious faces looking at her in the room.
     
    Aunt Marion and Uncle Howard descended upon her at the same time wishing her a safe journey and making sure she knew just how much they enjoyed spending some time with her.  Aunt Marion also reminded her of the promise she made to call her when she returned home so that she could set up those dates.  She was sure there would be a winner among the long list of men she would have Grace go out with in the near future.
     
    Finally William arrived and the time to tell the children goodbye arrived.  She hugged all of them and kissed them making sure they all knew how much she loved them and that she would be back soon with a present for each of them.  That seemed to get the kids’ mind off her departure and onto guessing what Auntie Grace was going to get them on her travels.  After William put her suitcases in the trunk of the car, he opened the back passenger side door in preparation for Grace to enter.  She quickly hugged and kissed everyone once more and got into the car.  As they drove around the long driveway, she looked back and a single tear escaped her eyes.  “Really Grace, you are being ridiculous.  It is not like you will never see them again!” she said under her breath but loud enough for William to think she was addressing him. 
     
    “You said something, Miss Grace?”  William asked.
     
    “No William.  I was just talking to myself.  I think that I am in need of some privacy today.”  Grace said as for once in a very long time she put up the privacy divider between them.
     
    It was a Monday in New York and the traffic was not bad until