Embrace the Wild (The Great Outdoors Book 5) by McClendon Shayne

Author:McClendon, Shayne [McClendon, Shayne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Always the Good Girl LLC
Published: 2013-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The next morning, Galina presented her aunt with her amended will naming her as the executor and legal proxy.

In the event she was incapacitated, Ana alone would be able to decide what happened to her.

“A nun as your proxy? Brilliant, Galina. Your mother will disown us both, of course.”

“If only she would, it would simplify things immensely.”

Over the years, Galina visited Ana’s convent many times. She loved the quiet calm found there.

Returning from one visit, she told her mother she wanted to become a nun with Ana’s order.

Svetlana slapped her hard enough to knock her down and forbid her to ever mention such a thing again. Twelve at the time, she obeyed.

She never lost her fascination for the women who served with her aunt. The spirit of selflessness and generosity of the unusual order received substantial donations from Galina.

It was her way of living vicariously through a life she couldn’t have and didn’t fully understand.

“We have several new nuns at the convent. I’ve told them all about you and they’re intrigued.”

“New nuns?”

“Older women like me. They possess skills and attitudes I adore. You wouldn’t believe their backgrounds.”

Several hours later, her friends hiked up to her cabin and they had lunch together. They continued to touch her more than usual and Galina schooled her features to keep from showing how it affected her.

When they left before dark, she felt the loss intensely.

“You wish not to be parted from them. It’s a good sign that you truly love them, little one.”

“I’m so accustomed to their presence. They’re larger than life.” She considered. “I like who I am when I’m around them. I enjoy how they talk to me and look me in the eye.”

“Even good men are very much aware of your beauty.”

Galina nodded. “I know.” Turning to look at Ana, she added, “But it’s not all they see. That’s the biggest difference.” Tugging her lip between her teeth, she wondered aloud, “I have to wonder if I’m enough, you know?”

“Nonsense. Men such as those wouldn’t want you so much if you weren’t strong enough to handle them.” Gesturing with her coffee cup, she added, “They love all the parts of you.”

If it was true, she wondered what to do next.

They hiked, baked, and talked non-stop. They tried new recipes and Ana wrote down a couple she thought her niece would enjoy making.

It was nice to visit with her favorite relative without the stress of returning to her supermodel life in her mother’s home.

She was happier than ever, blending her new life and her old. Keeping what worked and discarding the rest.

On Ana’s fourth morning with her, Galina opened her eyes to the sound of voices in the living room.

It was barely dawn and she groaned.

Throwing back the covers, she stood, stretched, and used the restroom. Rinsing her face, she padded from the bedroom. As the door swung wide, the sight of Wade and Knox laying out pastries while her aunt poured coffee greeted her.

Everyone was wide awake and cheerful.

“What’s going on and why didn’t you wake me?” she asked from the doorway.

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