Fated to be Mine Read Free Page A

match. He owns a small pub in downtown St. Paul and runs it most nights of the week.
    “Oh, Colin is doing just fine. Been working day in and day out now since they lost another bartender. Can’t seem to keep young people around long enough anymore.”
    I shake my head and follow her down the hall, looping my arm around her waist and hugging her close to me. She squeezes my shoulder as we turn toward my father’s study.
    “That’s a shame. Hopefully, you two still make time for each other. I know how crazy life can sometimes get.” And really I only know this because of the past week. If you had asked me how crazy life can get a month ago, my answer would have been different.
    “Why of course we do dear. We always see each other at night so don’t worry your pretty little head about us.” Never missing anything, Miriam’s face falls slightly as she notices my appearance. “How about you? Is everything all right in your world?”
    I fake my best smile for her, although I’m not sure she buys it. Heck, I don’t even buy it. It’s hard to fake happiness while in this house, along with the recent events of the past few days. “I’m good, Miriam. It’s just been a little … stressful at work this last week. Lots of traveling and not enough sleep.”
    Miriam shakes her head, not buying what I’m selling. It doesn’t stop her from enveloping me in an enormous hug, patting my back reassuringly, as only she could.
    “You know if you need anything you can call me. And I baked your favorite dessert tonight, just for you.”
    My eyes light up. “Apple crisp?”
    She nods. “With caramel topping. And I made an extra one for you to bring home.”
    I fling my arms around her again. “You’re the best, Miriam.”
    She cups my cheek one last time and urges me into the study, where my father is waiting for me behind his massive desk. I knock on the door first to announce my presence. He looks up from his work and acknowledges me in the doorway.
    “Tessa. It’s good to see you. Please, come in.” He motions for me to sit in one of the leather wingback chairs in front of the large mahogany desk. His greetings are always formal, but then again he is the Assistant Attorney General for the state. Formality is to be expected.
    He takes off his glasses, setting them on top of the stacks of papers that litter his desk. He regards me for a moment and I can’t help but fidget under his stare.
    “Um, hi, Dad. How have you been?”
    He leans back in his leather chair, making it creak slightly. Robert Martin looks like the influential lawyer he is behind his desk. You would never guess he has a twenty-six-year-old daughter just by looking at him. He’s in his early fifties, having had me when he was young and just starting his law career, and is only now beginning to show signs of gray at his temples. He’s tall, which is where I get my taller than average height from, and an athletic build, no doubt from the dedication he puts into the gym as his way to blow off steam. I can only imagine the stress he’s under with his position. Actually no I can’t since I’m just an administrative assistant. My life is pretty much the same thing every day. Well, at least it was.
    “I’ve been doing well. Several larger cases will be keeping me plenty busy these next few months before I have to fly out to D.C. again.”
    I nod my head as he takes a sip of the amber liquid in his crystal tumbler. Brandy, no doubt. It’s his drink of choice when he wants to avoid something. Probably me.
    “So how was your business trip? Did you get everything accomplished that you needed to?” He asks with genuine interest, shocking me almost into silence. Wow, I wasn’t expecting him to really ask me anything.
    “Yes, we did. We met with the board of the Tree of Life Foundation, got all the contracts signed and we’re working on strategy this week. I’m really excited because I love their mission statement and the work they do. I think it’s a