Good Deed Bad Deed Marcia Morgan (life books to read .txt) š
- Author: Marcia Morgan
Book online Ā«Good Deed Bad Deed Marcia Morgan (life books to read .txt) šĀ». Author Marcia Morgan
She had still been a child when they first met, and for that fact alone she easily attached herself to Valerie. When they were all at the country house Olivia would capture her new sister with requests to come and see this or thatāa new rabbit hole in the garden, a chrysalis on the thick stem of a hollyhock, a fashion show of her new dresses for the approaching school year. At meals she would insist on sitting beside Valerie, and if Valerie ate her Brussels sprouts, so would Olivia. She looked forward with great enthusiasm to holidays when she could be with Ben as well as Valerie, whose gifts to her were always perfect. Olivia thought to herself that perhaps it was time to do something for Valerie, just for the sake of how it used to be.
During the time when Olivia had felt so attached to her, Valerie had become more and more sure that Benās parents didnāt approve of herā of them as a coupleā especially Benās mother. It wasnāt true, at least at the beginning, but a basic insecurity clouded her interpretation of their interaction. Just the fact that she was an American had made her feel like an outsider, regardless of how Hugh and Paris had tried to make her feel welcome. Any problems between Ben and Valerie remained well hidden from his parents for a long time, and all seemed well at the holiday table. Oliviaās presence had always softened the discomfort Valerie felt when being at the McKinnon home. She had served as a bufferāin Valerieās mind anyway. Oliviaās blind worship of her had soothed her ego. And it was true that she and Ben were less likely to show animosity toward each other in the childās presence. Since the divorce, Valerie had failed to make any close friends. Whatever friends she had were casualānot the kind in whom one could confide. The truth was that Olivia was the only one she considered āclose.ā She had been a child, but now she was a woman, and to Valerie, Olivia still felt like a kindred spirit and the perfect person with whom to escape reality.
The waiter removed their plates and brought coffee. Olivia had been deep in thought, but finally spoke. āIām not saying I can get away, but letās just say I can.ā Valerie perked up and listened. āI donāt know if you remember, or were even told any stories about my grandparents.ā Valerie shook her head no, and Olivia continued. āThey met and fell in love in SpaināPamplona, actually. If youāre interested, Iāll tell you the story, but not now.ā
āIād like to hear itāI may have just forgottenābut why did you bring that up?ā
āBecause itās an idea, and we need one. Letās go to Spaināif I can get away without losing my job. If you stay away from the cities and the Costa del Sol, itās not as expensive as France or Italy. I donāt know when high season starts in Spain, at least that far north. Pamplona is in Navarra. If you donāt object to two-star hotels, it should be manageable for the length of time you mentioned.ā
āHmmm ā¦ thatās one of the last places Iād have thought of going. In fact, I wouldnāt have thought of it at all. I saw us on the Cote dāAzur, or maybe in northern Italyāmaybe Florence again. But Spain has two things going for itāIāve never been there, and you say itās less expensive.ā
āIāve been to Florence too, and the Cote dāAzur is probably beyond ourāI mean yourā means. I always wanted to go to Pamplona because of my grandparents. Itās quite a story, their romance. Iāve always thought it would make a good bookāeven a film.ā
āYouāve piqued my interest. I donāt know what there is to do in Pamplona for a week or more, but maybe there are some side trips to see something interesting. I just know itās probably hot and that thereās something that happens there every yearābut I canāt remember what it is right now.ā She told Olivia that lunch was her treat and then motioned to the waiter for the bill. He was more than happy to bring it immediately and they were soon out on the sidewalk and ready to part ways. An expectant smile crossed Valerieās face and she gave Olivia a hug. Her expression then became serious, and she said, āI feel like running straight to a travel agentāor my computer, but no point in that until you talk to your boss. When can you do that? Will he be in the office this afternoon? Can you tell Iām anxious?ā
Olivia shook her head and smiled at Valerieās enthusiasm then answered, āYes, I can see that youāre anxious.
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