A Soul Mate's Promise Read Online Free PDF Page A

and for the first time in years, making me think of this mausoleum as a home. 
    I enter the kitchen and Celine is bright eyed and raring to go.
    “What are you doing up so early? I figured you sleep through to the afternoon!” I tell her as I reach for a mug to pour the coffee into.
    “Nah,” she says, “I’ve got stuff to do, people to yell at!”
    “Wow, you’re full of energy this morning!” I laugh.
    “Darlin’, listen to me good. Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the Devil says, “Oh shit she’s up!”
    I grin and nod. “ I love that! You just make my day with your words of wisdom. Where do you come up with this crap?”
    “Facebook,” she replies with a giggle. Her smile fades a little as she points a burgundy-colored fingernail at me. “You know what, baby girl? It’s not crap. That should be your everyday mantra. I know you’re not dumb, but, you need to grow a pair of balls and make shit happen for yourself, like the divorce for one thing. And secondly, you need to go flirt with Antonio’s son. Richard’s moved on-now it’s your turn, baby!”
    “I know, I hear you,” I snap. “Stop mother-henning me.”
    “Mother what? I could be just your older sister at the most, now cut the crap! So, where you off to so early, the sun is just about up?” she asks.
    “Toby and I like to go for a walk on the beach every morning and watch the sunrise. It’s our Zen,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
    “Zen this!” she says and flips me her middle finger.
    I bust out laughing…I always told her it was funny to see a woman of her class, loaded up with her fine jewelry, flipping the bird!
    “Okay darlin’” she says still giggling. “Have a good walk. “You want a coffee to go?”
    “No, but save me some for when I get back. Will you still be here?” I ask.
    “Nope, I gotta boogie on outta here and start my day, check in on the old man. Maybe he kicked the bucket!”
    “Oh, Celine!” I yell, “that’s terrible!” I know she is half-joking, but still…
    “Oh, don’t get your panties in a bunch!” she says, waving her hands at me.
    I narrow my eyes and smirk at her. “I can’t …I’m not wearing any!”
    “Thatta girl!” she says with a grin.
    I walk her to the front door and watch her drive off. I can feel the house sigh sadly that the laughter is gone and I shrug off a chill.
    “Ready Toby? Let’s hit the beach.”
    Toby runs to the back of the house, paws slipping on the floor like Scooby-Doo does when he runs in place before he can get a grip.
    We head over to the French doors that lead out to the pool and lanai area, then through the screen door. On the grassy yard we jog over to the little wooden walk way that leads down to the white sandy beach.
    The September sky is doing amazing things for a sunrise spectacular. A mix of peach and lavender streaks light up the horizon as the sunlight just begins to filter through.
    Soon, even here, we’ll be changing into fall without the heavy humidity of summer. I always appreciate the cooler air.
    We’re just about ready to walk back home when I see Salvatore come onto the beach. He has on what looks like might have once been sweat pants, cut into shorts, and sneakers. He’s without his shirt, but the baseball hat and sunglasses are in place.
    As soon as he hits the sand, he starts into a jog. Toby spots him and runs over and I start to walk his way, my heart pounding like I’d been running, myself. We meet halfway between the tideline and the dunes. Toby still unsure, gives him some more growl–n-sniff.
    “Good morning, Sal”
    “Hi,” he answers. “Ummm…when is your dog going to trust me?”
    “He is just really over protective of me,” I say with a smile. “Just give him some time. So you’re jogging the beach this morning?” I gesture with my hand.
    He takes off his hat and runs a hand through his brown curls and chuckles.
    “Yeah, I guess I am. Thought I might take a look around. Care