Forever, Plus One - страница 21

“He did say he might get a phone,” Chantelle said. “Remember?”

Emily did. Just before they’d left for Martha’s Vineyard. She’d been wishing him goodbye, something she hadn’t had the chance to do since the age of fifteen, and he’d joked that he might get a phone to keep in better contact. At the time she’d felt filled with hope. Not that he’d get a phone but that he would remain in regular contact. Sadly, it didn’t seem to be panning out that way. If he couldn’t stay in letter touch, what chance was there of him breaking with the habit of a lifetime and getting a phone!

“I’m going to pray that he does get one,” Chantelle said affirmatively. “And that we get to FaceTime each other.”

Emily nodded, hiding the grief that was creeping up inside of her. “I think that’s a very good idea,” she told the child.

Chantelle closed her eyes and Emily watched, her heart swelling, as the girl’s lips moved in silent prayer. Then she opened her eyes and grinned. “Amen.”

They reached the mailbox and Emily helped Chantelle put the letter inside. As they headed back to the house, Emily heard an incoming text message on her cell. She instantly thought of her father. Perhaps Chantelle’s prayer had been answered already!

But when she pulled her phone out of her pocket she was surprised to see that the name on the screen was Roman Westbrook.

Emily felt a jolt of shock. She didn’t want to act star-struck around Roman at all. He’d made it very clear how important his privacy was, how much he appreciated being respected in Sunset Harbor. It was among his reasons for wanting to stay in contact with Emily and the rest of the family after checking out. But she also couldn’t quite get her head around the fact that Roman Westbrook, famous singer, mega superstar, was a contact in her phone!

She opened the message and read it in her head, then exclaimed aloud.

“What is it?” Chantelle asked quizzically.

“Roman’s bought his house,” Emily said to Chantelle. “The one in Sunset Harbor.”

“Cool,” Chantelle said. “Does that mean we can do a welcome party? Take him a gift basket?”

Chantelle loved making up packages for the neighbors. She’d created several care packages for Trevor when he’d still been alive.

“He wants us to come over for a dinner party,” Emily told the child.

Chantelle looked excited and clapped her hands. “When? When?”

“Today!” Emily exclaimed. “Quick, go and put on a nice dress and wash your face. I’ll get Daddy!”

They hurried back to the inn, both as excited as each other that they would be spending the evening with none other than Roman Westbrook.

Of course Roman’s house was in the nicest part of Sunset Harbor. Emily felt a little embarrassed as they pulled onto the curved driveway in Daniel’s beat-up, rattling pickup truck.

“We really need a new car,” she said, looking out the passenger’s side window and up at the huge, vast mansion.

Chantelle whistled. “This place is awesome,” she said.

There were pots containing styled topiary, creeping ivy and roses up the walls, a fountain, and Roman’s cream-colored Rolls Royce parked to one side.

The family got out of the pickup truck and went to the large, carved front door. Chantelle rang the bell and a few seconds later it was opened by a humongous security man wearing a dark suit and a very stern expression.

“I’m Emily Morey,” Emily explained. “This is my husband, Daniel, and our daughter, Chantelle.”