Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 Read Online Free PDF Page A

Marilee looked into the room and was astonished at the sight before her.
    Everywhere she looked there were gowns and dresses of all colors and fabrics and designs. Why, she had never seen so many outfits at one time, not even in a dress shop.
    Slowly, she walked around to stare at the wardrobe laid out on the bed, across the chairs, hanging from drapery rods and picture frames—everywhere!
    “I don’t understand…” she gasped, shaking her head in wonder. “Is all this supposed to be for me? And if so, why?”
    Kit giggled with little-girl delight, pleased and relieved that Marilee did not seem offended. “Of course it’s for you. I just thought this was a good time for you to stop looking like a birthday cake and start dressing like the glamorous femme fatale you really are!”
    Marilee could not help laughing at that declaration, but then began to blink back tears of happiness as she paused to admiringly and lovingly touch the hem of a stunning gold lamé evening dress. The neckline was low, edged in tiny diamonds and pearls, the waist high, with the skirt draped to ankle length. She did not have to try it on to know it would fit perfectly, for she knew Kit would have somehow managed to have everything designed and made to size.
    “I just don’t know what to say,” she softly cried, overcome with emotion. “I can’t believe you went to this much trouble for me.”
    “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while now, and this was the perfect opportunity. Besides,” Kit gently pointed out, “I was afraid you wouldn’t have nerve enough to do it for yourself. I always thought you were a little mouse, remember?”
    They giggled together as they rushed around the room trying to decide which gown would be worn that night, but could not make up their minds before it was time for Marilee to meet with Jade.
    “We’ll do it later,” Kit promised, then left.
    Feeling better than she had in a long time, Marilee hurried to Jade’s room and found Valerie already there and absolutely trembling with the ecstatic joy of her wedding day. She had always reminded Marilee of what an angel would be like if one floated down to earth—soft golden hair, eyes the color of a summer sky, a sweet smile and disposition to match. Fragile. An almost ethereal air about her. Everyone loved her, and Marilee had never heard Valerie say an unkind word about anyone.
    “Marilee! Your hair!” Valerie cried, rushing to give her a hug of greeting. “I love it. You look so…so sophisticated!”
    “No longer a birthday cake?” Marilee laughed.
    Valerie blinked, not understanding, but then Jade said, “Girls, time is short, and I want to talk to you. It won’t be long before the guests start arriving, so come sit down, please.”
    They positioned themselves on the divan, with Jade in a chair opposite. From a pocket she brought forth a small pouch of red velvet, tied with a gold cord, and laid it on the table between them. She looked at each young woman in turn, then began to speak in a voice that was tremulous with emotion. “This is a very special day for me, and I wanted to celebrate it by giving each of you something to remember it by. On Kit’s wedding day I gave her the diamond-and-emerald earrings her father gave to me on our wedding day.
    “On your wedding day, Valerie”—she paused to give her a loving gaze—“I want you to have this.” She reached into the pouch, then held something out to her.
    Curious, Valerie took it; then her fingers began to tremble as she saw what it was, and she nearly dropped it as she stammered, “This—this is the ring Travis’s grandmother gave to you on your wedding day. Travis told me about it. He said his grandfather gave it to her on their tenth wedding anniversary.”
    Jade nodded as she looked fondly at the pearl-and-emerald ring. “I want you to have it, with the wish that the love Travis Coltrane had for Kitty; that Colt has for me, is carried on with my son’s love for