Free Come Away With Me (The Andrades) by Ruth Cardello

place.”
    The limo pulled up to the front of an exclusive high-rise apartment building. A doorman rushed out to greet them. The driver helped Madison out of the car, but Julia hesitated. It felt safe to go with her. After all, how dangerous could a pregnant woman be?
    Maddy smiled at the doorman and greeted him by name, then asked, “Is Miss Corisi home?”
    He returned her smile and said, “Yes. She’ll be happy to see you.”
    Maddy led the way to an elevator and Julia followed her into it. Maddy inserted a key that freed the elevator to go all the way to the top floor.
    Penthouse. Of course. Why would anyone live on any other floor?
    A butler answered the door almost immediately upon their arrival. He led them into a marble foyer that was lined with mountains of gifts on either side. A tall, thin, dark-haired woman in a simple yellow sundress rushed in and hugged Maddy. She ushered them inside and waved an arm toward the gifts. “Excuse the mess. They’re coming in faster than I know what to do with them. I can’t believe it’s two weeks away. Nothing is ready.”
    Maddy hugged her again. “Everything will be perfect. I know it.” Remembering Julia, she reached back and pulled her forward. “I brought someone I want you to meet.”
    Julia awkwardly offered the woman her hand. “Hello.” And then looked back at Maddy for guidance after she shook the woman’s delicate hand.
    Maddy laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m doing this badly. Julia , this is Nicole. Nicole Corisi.” When Julia didn’t react to the name, Maddy added, “Nicole is marrying my cousin, Stephan.”
    Julia smiled weakly. “Congratulations?”
    Why am I here again?
    Maddy was hopping beside her with excitement. “Nicole, Julia convinced Gio to come to your wedding.”
    Nicole cocked her head to the side and looked Julia over from head to toe. “Is she one of yours?”
    Maddy shook her head. “No, but trust me. She’s the one. You should have seen them together.”
    “It won’t count,” Nicole said with a smile.
    “It doesn’t matter,” Maddy countered. “She’s perfect for him.”
    The obscurity of the conversation was beginning to make Julia nervous. “Okay, it was nice meeting the two of you.” She started backing toward the door they had entered through. “Thank you for the ride. I just remembered that I have somewhere I need to be.”
    “You can’t leave,” Maddy said quickly.
    Nicole placed her hand on Maddy’s arm to caution her. “We’re scaring her. Julia, if this is your first experience with Maddy, let me just assure you that she is as harmless as she is crazy. The first ride I took in her limo ended with me delivering her baby. This can’t be worse than that.”
    “I’m not scared,” Julia lied. “ You ladies seem wonderful, but I can’t stay.” She bumped into the butler as she backed up and almost fell, but he caught her and set her back on her feet. “I have to—”
    “Aren’t you curious why I brought you here?” Maddy asked.
    Shaking her head, Julia stepped around the butler. “I’m really not a curious person in general. Really, most of the world is a mystery to me and I’m fine with that.”
    “She’s funny,” Nicole said with a growing smile. “I like her.”
    “I know, right?” Maddy said in agreement. She beat Julia to the door, blocking her exit. “Just hear us out.”
    With h er escape effectively blocked by a pregnant woman, Julia braced herself. Money makes people weird. Just smile. Agree. Eventually she’ll step away from the door . . . then bolt. “Okay.”
    “Would you like to come in and sit ?”
    Julia shrugged with what she hoped looked like confidence. “I’m fine here in the hall.”
    Her sweet smile returning, Maddy said, “Family is everything to me.”
    Okay, so crazy lady and I can agree on one point. Julia merely nodded.
    “We almost lost Stephan this past summer , and it made us realize how short and fragile life can be. Stephan and I reached out to Gio and