“All I did was mention that our grandparents seem to be taking care of your kids an awful lot,” Cathy said defensively.“No, you accused me of being a bad mother,” Sandra growled. “You said if you had a child, you wouldn’t need anyone’s help. For your information, I left my children with reliable adults who would take care of them and went to France to be with my husband, who has been under a lot of stress with this stupid deal he’s been trying to make. I thought I was doing the right thing and being supportive to my husband. If I had known I was going to answer to you, I would never have gone. It would have saved a lot of anger in the long run. At least I wouldn’t have found my husband in another woman’s arms. If you think you’re so damn good at raising kids, then prove it, otherwise get off my ass.”Sandra stormed past Andrew, nearly knocking the delivery boy out of her way as she stomped to her car. She got in and started the engine then pulled out, barely missing the boy’s scooter

“Bordeaux is a beautiful area,” Giovanni told Fontanna as he steered the car through the streets. “It’s really come alive in recent years, after they built the public transit system. The property sits just outside of town, on the opposite end of the vineyards, but still close enough for you to visit the main hub of activity.”Sabrina sat on the passenger side of the car trying to find something she could find an interest in, but all she could see was Andre walking the streets or sitting and sipping wine at one of the bistros. She hated the idea of coming here, but Giovanni insisted that she visit the estate to see what she was giving up. If it were up to her, there would be nothing to give up. She didn’t want any of it and was eager to get it off her hands. The fact that she could provide something to Fontanna, and Jacques made her feel like the anger and hatred she had for her ex-fiancé, and would-be killer, wouldn’t linger in her mind or heart forever. Perhaps they could give her a

Once they returned to the hotel, Giovanni had arranged to have the electric turned back on, paid for a healthy supply of groceries for the small staff, and began the preparations for moving Fontanna from Paris. By the time winter settled in, the mother and son would be cozy and warm in their own home, Cathy’s wedding gown would be completed – at last – and she and Giovanni would be married. If she had to anticipate how this year would end when it started, she would never have dreamt of any of this. It was the ending to an unusually long year, and the beginning to a dream come true.Irena sat at her desk, the report of Cathy’s CT scan in front of her. She and Dr. Burns had reviewed the findings as well as the images and had decided that surgery would be a good idea. They were both confident it would be successful. After speaking with Cathy earlier that same day, she had arranged for the surgery on Wednesday, the clinic’s normal O.R. day. She was disappointed that the woman had decided

“If it works out, we can spend a week in the states, then come back in time for your sister’s wedding, plan your winter show, attend your brother’s wedding, have a nervous breakdown, then get ready for our baby.”Sabrina laughed as the man laid his head back against the sofa cushions. There was something very endearing about the way he liked to play the hero, even if he acted the wounded warrior part more often than heroic.“I could incorporate the designs from my last two shows, as well as the three I’ve been working on, and do a one-for-all show instead of a specific season.”“It would save a lot of time on your part,” Giovanni assured her, watching as she stood and walked to her desk, rummaging through the designs and papers strung out across the top. “If this works out, you may find yourself wanting to move to New York.”“Not a chance,” Sabrina assured him. “I love Paris, and it’s the farthest I want to be from my family.”“A second office there may help you with sales,” Giovanni

The two continued to speak for a few more minutes until the voice sounded in the background again.“I’m sorry, sis, but I have to go,” Irena sighed. “Those of us who’s jerky-ex didn’t leave a fortune to, have to work for a living. Let me know when you get things arranged, and don’t be a stranger. I miss talking with you.”“I’ve missed it too and thank you. So much.”“For what?” Irena asked, the curiosity echoing in her cheerful voice.“For forgiving me,” Sabrina told her. “I’ve been so afraid to call you. I was afraid you hated me.”“I did for a while, but after destroying Sandra’s hay, I realized what an arse I was being to everyone. Listen, call me tonight if you get the chance and we’ll talk some more, and stop worrying about the bastard’s money. Spend it and have fun. I want a list of all the crazy things you’re going to do with it when you call me. I love you.”“I love you, too,” Sabrina smiled.The sisters hung up, both feeling much happier than they had started out. A weight fe