Read Online Battling Destiny (The Piper Anderson Series Book 6) by Danielle Stewart - Free Book Online Page B

the utmost respect for people. Yet he was treating his own mother like garbage. Tabitha was right, something was very wrong with him.
    All thoughts of Michael evaporated for a moment as the two large doors to the dining room were opened by white-gloved men in tailored suits. The room was massive and embellished with gold trim and scrawling floral patterns across the walls. The length of the table was greater than Betty’s entire kitchen and dining room combined. With dark mahogany furniture and tall, elegant centerpieces, the room looked fit for royalty.
    Jules had daydreamed many days away, thinking about eating in a room like this. She was one of those small town girls with big city tastes. When other girls were playing with dolls, she was cutting out clothes from fashion magazines and mixing and matching designs. Rather than being boy crazy, for years Jules was clothes crazy. She drooled over fashion and as she got older that morphed into interior design as well. Though she could never afford it, that never stopped her from imagining it as a part of her life. 
    “In honor of Jules I had Genevieve prepare some southern dishes I’m sure you’ll love. Perhaps even as much as your mother’s.” Tabitha gestured to each chair letting everyone know his or her place. “You’ll be here by me, Jules, and Michael you’ll be across over there.”
    Jules watched as Michael ground his teeth together and rolled his eyes. She couldn’t believe how different and disrespectful he was being and she was actually glad not to be sitting next to him.
    “You can put the baby right here.” Tabitha smiled widely as she gestured toward a cream-colored highchair.
    “That’s a Bebe-Alesio highchair, isn’t it? They’re imported from Italy. I heard they only made a hundred of them,” Jules swooned, running her hand along the fabric seat as though she were touching a treasure.
    “It is,” Tabitha said with a breathy laugh. “You really know your designers. I can tell you have wonderful taste.”
    “I’m a little bit of a fashion addict.” Jules felt her cheeks flush as she slid Frankie into the beautiful plush seat.
    “Have you spent much time in Paris? The dresses there are head and shoulders above anything you can find in the States.” Josephine took a seat next to Michael, and Piper sat on the other side of Tabitha. Jules felt a lump grow in her throat as she tried to answer Josephine’s question.
    “I haven’t been to Paris. I’d love to go someday.” Jules took the napkin that was elegantly folded into some kind of bird and opened it as she placed it across her lap. She knew her cheeks were now burning fire engine red.
    “We’ll have to all see Paris this summer. It’s a wonderful place for Frankie to visit, and you and I can meet with some designers for some special tailor-made dresses.” Tabitha patted Jules’s leg and then waved for the men in the corner of the room to start serving.
    “I wouldn’t have anywhere to wear designer dresses,” Jules said, clearing her throat. “Back in Edenville we don’t have many galas. Since I’ve had Frankie I’m lucky to get out of yoga pants on an average day. I love beautiful fashion, but I don’t wear it. Admiring it in magazines is about as close as I get.”
    “I know exactly what you mean,” Tabitha comforted as she turned to face Jules.
    “Really?” Michael asked with an arrogant tone. “How exactly can you relate to that? You never wear the same dress twice.”
    Jules shot daggers from her eyes at her rude husband. She felt like picking up her fork and launching it at him.
    “I’m not just talking about fashion. Becoming a mother for the first time is life-altering. In those first months after I had you I spent plenty of days in sweat pants and just feeling . . .” Tabitha put her hand over her heart as she seemed to contemplate the right word. “I don’t even know what to call it. Overwhelmed I guess. I’ve done a lot of things in my life but the