Wildflower Read Free Page A

reconcile. I know that there’s nothing keeping me in Houston. You’re my only friend here. I don’t think I’m being rash or impulsive. I just think it’s time for a drastic change. Something new and exciting.”
    Cam shook his head, “I get you. I get where you’re coming from. I only want the best for you, but it sounds like you’re being led by anger or pain.”
    “Maybe. Or maybe that was just the impetus I needed to get the stick out of the mud. I was stagnant for seven years while I built an empire for my husband, who subsequently traded me in for my so-called best friend.”
    “I told you not to trust that witch. I told you, didn’t I?”
    She nodded.
    “And with Mercury in retrograde, now is not the time to be making drastic changes. The shit will certainly hit the fan — and you know what happens after that.”
    She sighed. “How much worse can it get? Really, Cam… how much? I’m not going to base my decisions off of some astrological mumbo jumbo.”
    “The last retrograde left you homeless. I’m just saying.”
    “Cam?”
    “Uh huh?”
    “I need love…”
    “Go get it, sweetie.”
    She smirked, then kissed his cheek. “Love you.”
    “Love you back.”
    Camden squeezed out a hug and kissed her lips in a quick, friendly motion. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. You don’t deserve any of this.” He wiped the tears that fell from her eyes. “I’ve got to get ready for work. We’ll pick this up in the morning?”
    She nodded. “When is your boss going to realize you’re a classically-trained chef and not some short-order cook?”
    “From your mouth to God’s ears,” he said as he walked into his bedroom.
    Iris reached across the sofa and over its arm to retrieve the ice cream from the end table.  It was mostly melted, but she scooped the liquid mess onto her spoon and slurped it into her mouth.
    She went into the kitchen and put the ice cream in the freezer.  Normally, she enjoyed the quietness of Cam’s apartment, but not tonight. The silence reminded her that she was alone. A divorcee. Damaged goods. She heard her phone vibrate against the cocktail table in the living room. When she retrieved it, she saw she’d missed a call from her twin brother, Idris.
    Without hesitation, she called him back. Idris rarely called her—he normally texted—so she figured it had to be important.
    “Hi, Idris. What gives me the pleasure?”
    “Come home. Now. I sent you an eTicket.”
    “What’s this about, Idris?”
    “Mom.”

3
    Preston sat on the edge of the bed, sleepless once again. His heavy-lidded, sleep-deprived eyes watched the clock tick to five thirty, which was when the alarm sounded. Even though he’d left the Air Force nine years ago, he maintained his military routine. However, his body hadn’t adjusted from the London time zone, so he had been awake since one thirty. Truthfully, adjusting to Chicago time was only part of it.  It was really the nightmares that jerked him out of his sleep. The memories flooded his mind. He’d worked so hard to suppress them, erase them, bury them. But they were still there like dust swept under a rug, hidden from view, but always there.
    Why now?  He’d managed to go on for years without much thought about his past. Now, nightmares kept him awake. His memories tortured him. He was tired, worn down.
    He put on his jogging shorts, laced his running shoes, and headed out for his morning run.  The lakefront hotel with easy access to the jogging trail beside Lake Michigan was great for runners.  Along the route, he encountered a gaggle of geese, dodging one that became aggressive because he was a little too close.
    The sunrise was his companion, hovering alongside him as he jogged and contemplated what was next.  He’d left London with the hope that he’d reconnect with his estranged family.  He allowed it to happen — the estrangement. It was just easier that way.  He even changed his name.  No longer carrying the family name —