Free Imagine That by Kristin Wallace Page B

It’s gotten me through some bad times and made me grateful for the good ones. Which is why I can say you are here for a purpose, and if you keep your mind and heart open, I believe you will discover what that reason is.”

Chapter Eight
    Traveling the globe in search of an idea meant the journey had to be made alone. Emily had been on her quest for the better part of a year. She’d eaten at more tables for one than she cared to admit. Walked untold miles along country lanes and bustling city streets by herself. She didn’t mind solitude. Shoot, when she was knee deep into writing a book she didn’t want anyone bothering her. She could go for days and not miss company.
    Until recently, when she’d begun feeling as though she might die of loneliness.
    Today qualified as one of those times. Her heart felt twisted and sore after her visit with Rachel. Emily didn’t know how much longer the poor woman had but knew the end couldn’t be far off.
    She glanced at her watch. 12:22. She contemplated stopping somewhere for lunch, but somehow the idea of sitting across from yet another empty chair made her want to drop to the sidewalk and weep.
    Such a reaction scared her to death. Emily Sinclair was a loner. She didn’t need anyone.
    â€œEmily!” a voice hailed from across the street.
    She glanced up. Julia stood at the curb fanning her arm in a clear come here gesture. Emily obeyed the emphatic command.
    Four other women stood clustered nearby. A slender middle-aged woman, a younger blond carbon copy of the first, a willowy brunette and… Holy smokes!
    Was that… ? S ugar cookies ! I t was!
    â€œAddison Covington,” Emily said when she reached the group. “From House of Fashion .”
    Julia nodded. “Yep. She’s one of my bridesmaids.”
    Emily blinked, but the famous television star was still three feet away, looking even more stunning than she did on TV. “Addison Covington, the actress. She’s standing right there.”
    â€œI am indeed,” the blond starlet drawled. “You’re the author.”
    â€œYou know who I am?”
    â€œMostly by reputation,” she said. “My fiancé’s niece was raving about you the other night. Then there was the curious tale of a fire at the bakery, which turned out not to be a fire at all.”
    Obviously, she’d never live down almost burning down the bakery. “I got distracted.”
    Julia took Emily’s arm and pointed to the other three women. “Rounding out my bridal posse, my stepmother, Grace, my stepsister, Sarah, and my best friend and maid of honor, Meredith Vining.”
    Addison pushed out her bottom lip in a move, which should have been annoying, but instead served to emphasize her perfect kiss-me-big-boy mouth. “I thought I was your best friend, and why does she get to be maid of honor?”
    â€œI can’t have someone more beautiful than I am standing beside me,” Julia said, tossing her red hair. “All eyes must be on yours truly.”
    â€œHey,” Meredith gasped, holding a hand to her heart.
    â€œNo insult intended,” Julia said.
    Meredith snorted. “Keep going and I might develop a sudden case of laryngitis the day of your wedding. No singing for you.”
    Emily burst out laughing. She loved watching the women banter back and forth. Despite the sarcastic jibes, she sensed a deep affection among them. Emily had a few close friends, but they didn’t have the type of laughing, teasing relationship these women shared.
    â€œLet’s not forget our appointment,” Sarah said. “Karen is waiting to do the fittings.”
    Julia hooked an arm around her sister’s shoulders. “What would I do without you to keep me in line? Let’s get inside then.”
    Emily stepped back to let the women pass, but Julia paused. “Where were you headed?”
    â€œOh, I was going to grab some lunch and then maybe