Sunday (Timeless Series #7) Read Free Page B

carrying some baby weight but you could hardly tell. “Hey.” She gave me a genuine smile before she invited me inside.
    I took a look around, marveling at the hardwood floors and elegant furniture. “Your place reminds me of the shop.”
    “I’m always cooking so it’s fitting.” She guided me into the living room where Suzie lay in the playpen. She stopped crying once we walked into the room. With blue eyes exactly identical to Hawke’s she looked up at me. I didn’t care for babies or ever think they were cute—but this one was special. “Wow…she’s beautiful.”
    “Thank you.” She grabbed Suzie and cradled her in her arms.
    I sat beside her and watched her rock her child. “She looks just like you—except the eyes.”
    “I know,” she said fondly. “She couldn’t be more perfect.”
    Suzie stared at me the entire time, fascinated.
    “Would you like to hold her?”
    “Sure.” I carefully took her from her hands and held her on my lap. She was lighter than I expected her to be. “How’s motherhood?”
    “So wonderful,” she said with a happy sigh. “There’s nothing like it.”
    I gently rocked Suzie back and forth and admired her beauty. Her skin was vibrant just the way Francesca’s was. And she had the same dark hair. “I’m happy for you.”
    “I’m happy for me too. And Hawke is already wrapped around her finger.”
    “I can imagine.” I gently handed her back.
    Francesca took her then wrapped her in a thin blanket. “So, what’s on your mind, Kyle? On the phone you sounded…devastated.”
    Suzie lit up my life for just a moment and I forgot about my pain. But then it came rushing back to me in a crushing wave. “There was this woman I was seeing…but we aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
    With Suzie secured in her arms she watched me with a sad look. The sincerity was in her eyes, that she wanted me to be happy. “I’m so sorry, Kyle.”
    “Thanks…”
    “What happened?”
    I told her the entire story, from the very beginning to the very end.
    Francesca was speechless, unable to process the trauma Rose went through. “Oh my god…”
    “I understand why this relationship will never work. I know where she’s coming from. But I can’t let her go. It’s too hard.”
    Francesca held Suzie tighter.
    “When I first saw her…there was something inside me. It was like something clicked into place. I can’t explain it. The moment she walked into my life everything was different. She was all I ever thought about. I wanted to live my life for her—completely and utterly. And the fact my sister went through the same thing and the kind of cases I take…it’s just a crazy coincidence. I don’t love her because of what happened in the past. I think I loved her the moment I saw her. But when I found out the truth…it only intensified my feelings.” Listening to myself talk was making me realize how ridiculous I sounded. “I know I sound like a nutbag right now. I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say.”
    “You don’t sound like a nutbag at all.”
    I knew she was saying that to be nice.
    “Remember how incredulous you were when I told you Hawke was my soul mate?”
    Every time she said it, I thought it was crazy. How could someone feel that way? How could someone possibly think the universe created another person just for them? “Yes…”
    “Now you know I’m not crazy.”
    I looked at the window before I turned back to her. “I don’t understand your meaning.”
    “Think about it, Kyle. Think about everything you just said to me.”
    I was still clueless. “You need to be more transparent.”
    “Kyle, she’s more than just a woman you love. A lot more than that.”
    “What could be higher?”
    She stroked the thin strands of hair Suzie possessed. “She’s your soul mate, Kyle. Your destiny. Your meant-to-be.”
    I stared at her blankly. “Maybe Hawke is yours, but not everyone has a soul mate.”
    “Just think about it.”
    “What’s there