Read Online The Redemption (Charlotte Bloom Book 2) by Amanda Richardson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Amanda Richardson
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car on and drove forward, officially in Ireland for the first time in my life. The only thing I could think was… everything was so damned green. The trees, the hills, the shrubs, the grass, the plants… everything was bright green. It was exquisite, especially coming from the generally brown palette of California.
The scenery on the road to Belfast didn't change much. It was sunny and bright, which was surprising. I’d expected rain, especially since it was almost winter. Green, rolling hills, which were a common presence in Wales too, greeted me every few miles. Cottages poked out of forested land, their chimneys giving out a homey vibe with spirals of white smoke. I saw a lot of abandoned or wrecked churches and castles in the vast fields that sunk below each hill. I felt like I was in some sort of fantastical book or on the set of Braveheart.
It started to get dark, and according to my GPS I had a couple more hours of driving to do. I pulled into a small gas station to refill and to grab some food. I’d already gone through all of Helen’s snacks, and I didn’t want to impose on Alec’s mother, though I was sure she would have something I could eat. I didn’t exactly know how it would all play out. She could very well slam the door in my face, or not even be home at all. I should’ve had a backup plan.
I drove the rest of the way munching on my chips, making sure that I didn’t miss any turns or roads. Alec had grown up in Carrickfergus, a coastal suburb of Belfast. As I pulled into the quaint little town, I realized I was definitely in a wealthy suburb. There were signs that said ‘Carrickfergus Castle, 1.2 km’ and again at 0.7 km away. There was a fucking castle in his town—as if Ireland could get more cliché. When the GPS directed me to a white mansion with red and green Christmas lights, I realized I had arrived.
I parked around back, near a greenhouse, grabbed my suitcase, and hoped his mother was home and/or would want to see me. I assumed Alec had told her about me, but I couldn’t be sure. Our relationship had been fleeting. It was possible he hadn’t told her, and she might not have a clue as to who I was. As I walked along the gravel, I glanced up at the house that Alec had grown up in, taking in every detail.
The house was made of some sort of white stone, and it was definitely palatial. A black roof and sweeping windows lined the three stories, and the land expanded backwards for what looked like miles. Two Mercedes SUVs were parked out front. I laughed when I realized that Alec sure did not flaunt his wealthy upbringing. He drove a beat-up truck, which I happened to love.
I brushed myself off and evaluated my outfit choice. I was wearing black skinny jeans, black leather knee-high boots, and a cream cashmere sweater. My navy pea coat was buttoned neatly, and my purse sat on top of my suitcase tidily. First impressions were everything. I flattened my hair and cleared my throat. I knocked on the door, using the brass lion head knocker.
The door swung open and a tall, wiry brunette woman stood before me. She had dark hair and dark eyes, the same piercing eyes as Alec. She looked young, or younger than I had imagined. I recognized her from the picture Alec had on his dresser.
“Hello. Can I help you?” She looked surprised and confused to see a strange woman standing on her doorstep with a suitcase at nine o’clock at night. She was wearing a red pantsuit, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“Hi… um, this is so strange, and I apologize for showing up so unexpectedly. I know Alec, and I’m here to see him. My name is Charlotte. I used to work at Parc-Le-Bouveret.”
“Ahh, Charlotte, so nice to finally meet you!” Her face softened immediately, and she came forward and embraced me in a lingering hug. “I’ve heard so much about you. Please, come in.”
“Thanks,” I smiled, relieved to know that she at least knew who I was. She walked me into the foyer
The scenery on the road to Belfast didn't change much. It was sunny and bright, which was surprising. I’d expected rain, especially since it was almost winter. Green, rolling hills, which were a common presence in Wales too, greeted me every few miles. Cottages poked out of forested land, their chimneys giving out a homey vibe with spirals of white smoke. I saw a lot of abandoned or wrecked churches and castles in the vast fields that sunk below each hill. I felt like I was in some sort of fantastical book or on the set of Braveheart.
It started to get dark, and according to my GPS I had a couple more hours of driving to do. I pulled into a small gas station to refill and to grab some food. I’d already gone through all of Helen’s snacks, and I didn’t want to impose on Alec’s mother, though I was sure she would have something I could eat. I didn’t exactly know how it would all play out. She could very well slam the door in my face, or not even be home at all. I should’ve had a backup plan.
I drove the rest of the way munching on my chips, making sure that I didn’t miss any turns or roads. Alec had grown up in Carrickfergus, a coastal suburb of Belfast. As I pulled into the quaint little town, I realized I was definitely in a wealthy suburb. There were signs that said ‘Carrickfergus Castle, 1.2 km’ and again at 0.7 km away. There was a fucking castle in his town—as if Ireland could get more cliché. When the GPS directed me to a white mansion with red and green Christmas lights, I realized I had arrived.
I parked around back, near a greenhouse, grabbed my suitcase, and hoped his mother was home and/or would want to see me. I assumed Alec had told her about me, but I couldn’t be sure. Our relationship had been fleeting. It was possible he hadn’t told her, and she might not have a clue as to who I was. As I walked along the gravel, I glanced up at the house that Alec had grown up in, taking in every detail.
The house was made of some sort of white stone, and it was definitely palatial. A black roof and sweeping windows lined the three stories, and the land expanded backwards for what looked like miles. Two Mercedes SUVs were parked out front. I laughed when I realized that Alec sure did not flaunt his wealthy upbringing. He drove a beat-up truck, which I happened to love.
I brushed myself off and evaluated my outfit choice. I was wearing black skinny jeans, black leather knee-high boots, and a cream cashmere sweater. My navy pea coat was buttoned neatly, and my purse sat on top of my suitcase tidily. First impressions were everything. I flattened my hair and cleared my throat. I knocked on the door, using the brass lion head knocker.
The door swung open and a tall, wiry brunette woman stood before me. She had dark hair and dark eyes, the same piercing eyes as Alec. She looked young, or younger than I had imagined. I recognized her from the picture Alec had on his dresser.
“Hello. Can I help you?” She looked surprised and confused to see a strange woman standing on her doorstep with a suitcase at nine o’clock at night. She was wearing a red pantsuit, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“Hi… um, this is so strange, and I apologize for showing up so unexpectedly. I know Alec, and I’m here to see him. My name is Charlotte. I used to work at Parc-Le-Bouveret.”
“Ahh, Charlotte, so nice to finally meet you!” Her face softened immediately, and she came forward and embraced me in a lingering hug. “I’ve heard so much about you. Please, come in.”
“Thanks,” I smiled, relieved to know that she at least knew who I was. She walked me into the foyer
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