Free Finding Me (Love's Not Easy Series Book 1) by Nicole Rickman

gone.”
    “I don’t think that’s crazy, Aimee. I think a lot of people do that when they lose someone close to them.”
    “I also feel guilty at times. When I am having fun, I feel like I am letting them down or being disrespectful to their memory.”
    “Aimee, that’s not true. You were ten when your mom died and twelve when your Gran died. Neither of them would want you not to live life to its fullest. They would want you to enjoy every day.”
    “I know that in my heart. I just wish my brain would get the message.”
    “It will.”
    “I want to learn more about them. What their lives here were like? Why they left? Because I think then, maybe I could find some peace.”
    “Aimee, I don’t want to make you more upset, but I have been thinking. You know how we can’t find their names in any of the archives we are searching?”
    “Yeah.”
    “When did they move to America?”
    “In 1990 I think.”
    “Aimee, do you remember when we told you Josiah’s story? We had a history lesson.”
    “Yeah. Aiden I’m not liking where this is going.”
    “I know. But they, more than likely, left because of the war. And if they did, the names you know them by may not be their real names.”
    “Aiden, that would be saying that my whole life, the people I love the most, have been lying to me; and, everything I thought about myself is not true.”
    “I wouldn’t look at it as being lied too. More like protecting you. Look at Josiah. Maybe if his grandmother had not told him of the violent way he was conceived, he would not be so miserable.”
    “I have actually thought about that same thing.”
    “How did your dad meet your mom?”
    “I have asked him numerous times. He always tells me they met here, during an assignment; and, that they fell in love and she came to America. When I try to ask more questions, he says he can’t to talk about it.”
    “What was your dad's’ job when he was here?”
    “He says it is confidential. You don’t think he was part of the special team sent here by America?”
    “I don’t know, the mission was top secret. My dad doesn’t go into much detail on how it worked.”
    “I wish I could remember more about when we came and visited the beach. But, I was so young.”
    “Hey, we will figure this out. Together, all of us. We will help you.”
    “Thanks.”
    The flat smelled oddly like Aimee’s Gran’s on Thanksgiving Day. Aiden took her coat and laid it with her bag. When they walked into the living area, Colin was standing with a sign reading: Happy Thanksgiving, Aimee!
    Aimee nearly cried. “What is this?”
    “Your Thanksgiving Day surprise.” Aiden grinned and directed her toward the kitchen.
    Inside the kitchen was Lexi, Piper, James, Tessa, Cameron, and Piper’s mom. Sophia was at the stove helping Mark with removing the turkey from the oven.
    “You guys are the best.”
    “Happy Thanksgiving.” Everyone said in unison.
    “You didn’t have to do this.” She was crying now.
    Piper and Lexi came and hugged her. “We wanted to.”
    “Yeah, you made it sound so delicious.” Colin hugged her from behind.
    Aimee laughed.  As Aiden pulled out her a chair, Sophia had the guys help fix the drinks, and then Mark asked for the blessing over the food.
    Sophia came to Aimee. “We tried to stick to your mom’s Thanksgiving meal. I had Piper snoop through your memory book, to get me the recipes. We put them back.”
    Aimee hugged her. “You are so sweet, Sophia. I want to say something before we eat. Part of the first American Thanksgiving day was the pilgrims and the Indians being thankful for their new found friendship. I think that fits a description for this Thanksgiving dinner; we can be thankful for the new friendships we have formed the past few months.”
    Mark stood once more. “Aimee you are so right.  Today we celebrate being thankful for the friendship and love in this room. God has seen fit to bring us together and for that, we all need to be