Free Invitation to Love by Groovy Lee Page B

him as he walked out. When he turned the corner, a huge smile
eased across her face. However small it was, they just had their first contest
of wills—already. Men like Michel aren’t used to being rebuffed. But, it was a
necessary move on her part, and she feels good about the fact that she has some
control.
    The
plush carpet felt so good to her tired feet as she slid them out of her flats.
She headed for the boxes with her clothes inside, all the while thinking if
maybe the courtroom would have been an easier battle to face.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Bands
of sunlight filtering through Taryn’s curtains, gradually brightened the room,
pulling her from a deep sleep. She stirred, wrestling with her pillow as she
always does. But, when she finally opened her eyes, the old familiarity of home
had been replaced by a white ceiling and mint-green walls. It took only a few
seconds for the shock to wear off, and for her to remember that she’s married,
and living in California of all places. The weight of it all had her sitting
up. And, as she studied her new surroundings, she kept telling herself to take
it one day at a time; Get used to her new surroundings. The rhythm of life will
fall into place.
    She
scooted to the side of the bed. The first thing she needs to do is see about
the girls, and getting their breakfast started—don’t forget Michael.  After a
shower and change, she stepped outside her doorway. (Now, her life begins) The
girls’ rooms were empty. She knew they must be downstairs, and hopefully, out
of trouble. She glanced toward Michael’s room and surprisingly found the doors
wide open. The new colors and elegant décor of her new home captured her
attention as she made her way down the stairs and toward the kitchen. Just as
she thought, Michael and the girls were already at the circular kitchen table
of four chairs consuming a hearty breakfast of eggs and strawberry marmalade on
golden toast.
    “Good-morning,”
she tried to hide her nerves behind her ordinary, everyday manner.
    “Michael
cooked us breakfast,” Remi’s mouth as usual was crammed with toast.
    “I
see,” she took the empty seat at the other end of the table.
    “For
a moment there, we thought you were going to sleep the entire day,” he said
just before he tilted his coffee cup to his lips and sipped.
    “I’m
sorry I overslept. I meant to be up in time to cook for everyone.”
    “There
was no need. We did pretty well for ourselves, didn’t we, girls?”
    “Yeah.”
    Taryn
picked up the decanter sitting in the middle of the red-speckled table, and
poured herself a cup of the steaming elixir.
    “I
thought we could go for a drive today to get you familiar with the area. Afterwards,
we could go to the beach for a picnic—unless you’re still recovering from the
busy day you had yesterday, and would rather stay in.”
    She
glanced up from spreading marmalade across her toast. “No, I’m fine,” she
couldn’t help smiling at eyes so warm and alluring. “I’d love to see
everything.”
    “Yaaay,”
the girls wriggled in their seats.
    After
breakfast, they all piled into his silver Explorer and was piloted out of the
driveway, through the neighborhood, and onto winding roads embellished by
opulent mountains thick with trees and foliage. Their first stop was the ultra,
shopping mall where every department store imaginable waited to fulfill your
needs. (Taryn was instantly hooked) They picked up some picnic items from the
super grocery store connected at the end of it. Afterwards, he took them to an
isolated beach for lunch. Remi and Rachel stripped to their bathing suits and
waded in the ocean, screaming each time a wave touched their thighs. Michael
sat with his arms coiled around his legs, a can of soda dangling from one hand
and watched. Taryn was reminded of the first time she laid eyes on him in St.
Petersburg; He was sitting that exact same way with the sun glistening on his
black hair.
    She
realized she’d been staring at his