Read Online Storms of Passion by Lori Power - Free Book Online

flying with happiness and freedom that she was doing something on her own—to plummeting back to Earth, convinced she was the biggest looser for having no one to share her life with.
    She was accustom to small towns, living in rural farm country like she did, but she soon learned the definite difference between small town and rural. Her little cottage sat on a small parcel of land completely surrounded by homesteads, and people tended to keep their distance unless they knew you, and even then your space was your own. After only a few hours in this town, she could tell it was similar to what her authors wrote about—people wanting to know you and get to know you. They were bold and friendly, which made her shy and apprehensive to their forward ways, yet she hope she they wouldn’t make the wrong assumption. She didn’t want to give off the wrong impression. Anxiety swirled in Vivian’s stomach as she soaked in the tub.
    Vivian wrapped a large, fluffy towel around her and pulled out her nightdress from the luggage bag. She then called Marcy to let her know she had arrived. “Well, take it for what it is,” Marcy said. “It’s all part of the adventure.”
    “I suppose. Yeah, I guess, you’re right. Vivian knew she had to open up to the experience. While believing she should live the way others thought to be right, she lost herself in the process. Something as essential as to who she is—who she needs to be.
    Marcy laughed. “Of course I’m right. I am a mom of two boys.”
    She said goodbye to her friend before crawling between the Egyptian cotton sheets, so crisp and clean. Heavenly .

Chapter Five
    The smell of bacon wafted under the closed door, announcing breakfast the next morning. Ethel greeted Vivian with a plate piled high with the fluffiest scrambled eggs she had ever laid eyes upon, or taste buds, with a side of homemade hash browns. Thick-cut toast in wedges diamonded the platter. The scent of Lilac mixed with the aroma of breakfast, lured Vivian’s eyes to a large bouquet of flowers. The beautiful native flowers were full of color and fragrance.
    Vivian smiled at the lovely set table. “Oh, they’re beautiful.” With both hands hovering at the end of the bouquet, she thrust her face into the blooms to inhale their perfume.
    “The MacLean’s sent them,” Ethel said, pausing to lift a hand to pat her perfect bun at the base junction of her neck and spine. “Apparently Lynette feels bad about the mix-up yesterday. Seems you and Tucker missed one another at the airport. Anyway, Billy brought them around this morning.”
    Touched by the gesture, Vivian buried her nose back in the flowers. “Tucker? Billy?”
    Ethel’s hands returned to her side, brushing the flour from her skirt. “Tucker, he likes to be called Tuck, he’s Lynette’s son, and Billy, is one of Daniel’s boys, Randy’s brother.”
    Vivian reluctantly left the bouquet to take a seat at the table, wondering if Ethel would join her or continue to hover.
    “You know Lynette?” Ethel’s brow rose.
    Vivian nodded as Ethel gave her the scoop on the MacLean’s. “Lynette is married to Randy MacLean. Tucker and Nathaniel are their boys. Tucker ran off to be some big shot, while Nathaniel stayed and married that pretty Emily from down the harbor. They have two kids now. Lynette quite likes being a grandmother.”
    As Ethel paused in thought, though her face did not change expression and her eyes never wavered, Vivian scooped a heaping helping of eggs on her fork, and savored the flavor. Delicious .
    “Maria and Matthew, those are the names of the kids. Almost escaped me for a moment or two. They’re named after Lynette’s folks. Daniel is Randy’s brother and he has four children, Billy being the youngest. All except Tucker, they all work one way or another in the family business, but now the big shot is back. Taken down a notch or two he is, if you ask me and rightly so. His folks have him working in the business, seems