Years ago, after the sale of his first book, and the end of his second marriage, he had purchased his condo, which had a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan. When his brothers had moved away, pursuing their medical careers — Logan in Florida and Lyle in Texas — Lance decided to buy a place in Chicago, which was less than a forty-five-minute drive from their father in Gary.
He loved his condo. It had been everything he needed and wanted after coming from such humble beginnings. His place was spacious and was on the twentieth floor of one of the most luxurious apartment buildings in Chicago. He especially loved his floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall window. He would often stand in front of it, looking out at the lake. After he and Asia married, he saw no reason to move, and when the apartments were turned into condos, he immediately bought this unit. Nine months out of the year, he and Asia lived on their beautiful island,Paradise.The other three months, they made Chicago their home. However, more than once, Chicago’s hellish winters had sent them racing back to their island, located not far from the Bahamas.
“When were you at Tubin, and why was Crews in town?” he finally asked.
“I had lunch with Haven on Thursday. Did you forget? And Sean was in town to attend a medical seminar,” Asia said.
“Was his wife with him?” he asked. The man had eventually married someone else, thank God.
“No, she’s back in Boston with their kids. His son was born a few months after that time we ran into them at the airport. Now they have those darling twin girls and a son.”
“Whatever.”
He poured a glass of wine and took it to his wife. She was working on her latest book, which was scheduled for publication the following year. Then they’d work on a book together. His most recent title, which was published last year--How to Jumpstart a Lasting Relationship—was still on the New York Times bestsellers’ list.
Although he loved Chicago, he missed their island, Paradise. It was there that he and Asia had ended theirseparation and pledged their love for each other. It was also there that, less than a year later, they’d held their wedding among family and friends. He would never forget seeing his beautiful bride walk down the aisle to him.
With his and Asia’s diverse backgrounds and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology, they had founded the Montgomery Marriage Institute, which worked with couples in crisis or on the brink of total marriage collapse. They decided that Paradise would be the perfect place to hold marriage seminars and work with couples who truly wanted to build, repair, and strengthen their marriage. The institute had been in existence now for close to four years, and he was proud to say that numerous marriages had been saved.
“Thanks, babe,” she said when he placed the glass beside her laptop. “You take good care of me.”
He smiled. “Always.” He took a sip of his beer before asking, “So, how are things coming with the book?”
They had converted one of the bedrooms in the condo into an office for her, but Asia preferred writing at the kitchen table with all her reference books cluttering the place. It didn’t bother him because he loved watching her work. She looked so sexy doing it.
“So far, so good. I have less than five more chapters to write. I should have no problem meeting the deadline.”
He nodded as he slid into the chair across from her. “So, how is Haven? I saw her at the christening but didn’t get a chance to speak with her afterwards. Pop said she had to rush out after the service to catch a flight.”
“Yes, she will be in the Sedona Valley for four weeks for a medical research seminar. Before she returns to Chicago,she’s planning to visit Tifton to check on her grandmother’s home. She’s not ready to sell it yet, or rent it out.”
“I understand how she feels. I was so glad Lyle offered to rent Dad’s place out long-term. The idea of strangers living in my family home didn’t sit well with me.” He took a swig of his beer. “With all her traveling, do you think Haven will make it back in time for Thanksgiving?”
“That’s her plan. This will be her first Thanksgiving without her grandmother, and she wants to be around family,” Asia said. “I promised I would take care of her plants while she’s gone.”
“I’m sure she appreciates that,” Lance said. “Most of them were given to her at Dora’s funeral, so they mean a lot to her. I still can’t believe she had them shipped here when she moved. I don’t know how they survived during transit.”
“Well, they did and I’m going to make it my business to keep them alive for her,” Asia said.
Lance took another sip of his beer. Dora and his Pop had been first cousins. Dora’s mother had been Pop’s father’s sister. They had been close, and although Dora lived in Georgia, they had always kept in touch. In fact, right after Edwina left, Dora came to live with them for three months to help Pop out. She was one of the best cooks he’d ever known, and they’d all enjoyed her Southern fried chicken, cabbage, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and potato salad. Dora had called it soul food.
Dora only had one daughter, Barbara Jean, who had married a man Dora had said would do her no good. She’d been proven right when Barbara Jean tried to leave the guy, and he’d killed Barbara Jean and then himself. He probably would have killed their ten-month-old baby if she’dbeen with them at the time. Fortunately, she’d spent the night with her grandmother and had been spared her parents’ tragic demise. Dora had full custody of Haven from that day on.
“Well, I won’t disturb you any further. I’ll go see if there’s a game on television,” he said, standing.
“You’re not disturbing me. Besides, I want to talk to you about something,” Asia said.
He lifted a brow as he slid back into the chair. “What?”
“The letter from Edwina.”
He frowned. “What about it?”
“You didn’t read it.”
“Was I supposed to?” he asked tersely.
“Aren’t you curious as to what she had to say?”
