“Her flight comes in at five pm. So Noah said we should leave at three-thirty. Would you mind if we go and see Cillian and Fiorella?”
“Not at all. Let me text her and make sure they don’t have plans.”
“Thank you.” He says as he heads to the bathroom.
Moira: Hey! Callum wanted to know if you and Cillian were busy. He’d like to talk to him.
Fiorella: Ewwww. It’s morning. Unfortunately we’re up. Kind of. And of course you can come over. Did you want brunch? I mean I don’t cook, but we could head to Precious Risings and grab some food while the guys talk.
Moira: I’d love that. We’ll be there in thirty minutes.
Fiorella: Woooo! See you soon!
“I told Fiorella we’d be there in thirty minutes.” I say to him through the door.
“Okay, I’ll be done in ten. Thank you for doing this.”
“You never have to thank me. I’d do anything for you.”
I get dressed while I wait for him. I don’t get to hang out with Fiorella Mancini a lot. She’s always super busy. She’s a fashion designer and has had her own shows already. She makes really beautiful designs. But whenever I’ve hung out with her, she’s always so much fun.
We head over to Fiorella and Cillian’s house, she’s on the porch waving. We laugh as we park the four-wheeler and get out.
“Hi!” Fiorella yells as she hugs us.
I laugh as I hug her back. We follow her inside as Cillian joins us.
“So, we’re going to go to the bakery and get some food. I’m going to beg my mama to make some brunchy stuff.”
“Can you get me an apple turnover? I saw them making the dough for it last night.” Cillian smiles at her.
“Of course. Would you like anything special?” she asks Callum.
“Surprise me.” He says as he gives me a kiss.
We get in her car and drive to the bakery.
“I’m excited to see the results of the DNA test.” Fiorella says.
“I am too. Does Cillian have any siblings?”
“Nope. It was always just him and his mam.”
“It’s crazy how they could be half brothers, hell it sounds like they are and they found each other here.”
“It’s the magic of Lake Renegade.” She smiles. “Sometimes bad things happen, but there’s so many good things that have happened here. Especially in the last few years. I feel like it started when my cousins came home.”
Giovanna and Lorenzo Mancini were taken when they were babies. Three years ago, they were found. It’s a big story and I have to agree that when they came home, it felt like Lake Renegade started to heal. The families became stronger. Before they came home, I didn’t spend as much time with any of the Mancinis like we do now. Now everyone does things together, we’ve definitely become one big family.
The smells from the bakery are making me hungrier.
“I wish I could bake like your mom and aunts.”
“You and me both.” She laughs as we walk in. “Hi Simone! Is my mama busy?”
“I hear you, mija.” Her mom, Rosaura calls from the back.
I wait out front as Simone helps me get a box of pastries together. I remember to get a few apple turnovers for Cillian. And I decide on some strawberry danishes for Callum. Fifteen minutes later, Fiorella comes back out with the three owners of Precious Risings. Her mama, Rosaura, her Aunt Graínne, and Caitríona Bastianini. I go over and hug each of them.
