Loved Ones Lost (Edgewater Curse Book 1) Read online

  Chapter Nineteen

  Adding to the Family

  Saturday, September 15, 2018

  The next morning, Bri finds Matthew and Destiny in the kitchen making breakfast together.

  “Good morning, you two,” Bri says. “Destiny, you look like you’re feeling better.”

  “Oh yes, I am. Matthew’s power really helped me fall asleep last night. Geez, that feels weird to say.”

  Bri chuckles. “We know what you mean; you’ll get used to it, though. Do you two have any special plans for today?”

  “Actually, yes, we do,” Matthew says.

  “We do?” Destiny says with surprise.

  “Yes, well, I have plans for us.” He smiles.

  “Oh!” She beams. “I thought you would spend the day studying.”

  “Nope. Not today. After everything that happened last night, I’ve had a revelation, and I want to spend the entire day with you.” He leans down and pecks her on the forehead, and she blushes.

  Bri stands by watching the loving exchange between the two of them.

  “Okay, well, you kids have fun. I’m going to spend the day out in the garden. Maybe Crystal will join me.”

  “Okay Mom, we’ll see you later. We probably will be home shortly after dinner.”

  “Okay, sounds good. See you both then,” Bri answers and turns to head out to the garden.

  “So what are these plans you’ve made for us today?” Destiny asks Matthew.

  “Oh, wouldn’t you like to know.” He winks at her. “Just kidding, I won’t put you through the wait. I thought it would be nice for us to go out on the town. I know you’ve been eyeballing a certain dress at Neiman Marcus, and your birthday is coming up, so I thought maybe I’d buy it for you.”

  “Oh my God, are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how much that dress costs? That dress is almost a thousand dollars. I know I said I liked it, but I can’t fathom spending that kind of money on a dress.”

  “Well, this is a special day, and I want to treat you; besides, you are worth every penny and more to me.”

  Destiny smiles. “Where in the world would I even wear a dress like that?”

  “Out to dinner with me tonight.” He smiles mischievously.

  “That sounds like quite the fancy dinner,” she says.

  “Yeah, well, I have a few things to celebrate…I hope.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I haven’t told my mom yet because everything’s been so crazy around here, but I tested out in the last of my classes because of all of the studying I’ve been doing and graduated early.”

  “Oh my God, Matthew, that’s wonderful! Congratulations! That is something to celebrate, but don’t you want to tell the rest of your family so they can celebrate with us?”

  “No, I want to celebrate with just you first. We can tell them when we get back tonight.”

  “Okay,” she accepts.

  Matthew and Destiny eat their breakfast and then head out to do their shopping. He not only buys her the dress but adds a necklace and earrings to the ensemble as well. Crystal had given Destiny a bracelet the night before and was designed in a way it would match anything she ever wore.

  Matthew and Destiny end up at a restaurant almost identical to the one his father took Bri to when they celebrated her graduation.

  “This place is beautiful,” Destiny says in awe.

  Sitting next to the fireplace just as his parents had, Matthew looks across to Destiny and takes her hand in his. “I love you, Destiny.”

  She smiles and cocks her head to the side, wondering why he’s been so strange today.

  “I’m going to let go of your hand because I want your mind clear when I ask you a question.” He releases her, and kneels next to her and smiles. “Will you marry me?”

  The End.

  A message from the Author

  Thank you for reading the first book, Loved Ones Lost, in the Edgewater Curse series. I hope you found it intriguing and it makes you crave more. There are still questions unanswered…

  Will Destiny say yes?

  Where did her power come from?

  What adventures, tribulations and trials will the family endure?

  Will there be more surprises in store?

  When will Travis get his power and what will it be?

  What about Rose?

  Does Crystal really have her power or was this just a taste of what’s to come?

  Who are the Nightingales, really?

  What about all those vampires?

  Are there other species we haven’t encountered yet?

  Stayed tuned for the next book in the series, Loved One Reassured. Matthew has a tale of his own to tell…

  A special surprise: If you would like a little side challenge, each of my books have their title hidden within the story. See if you can find it.

  If you enjoyed this book, please spread and share your thoughts with friends and family. Any word of mouth recommendations are appreciated, and I thank you for your support.

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  About the Author

  Photo by Nouvelle Design Studio

  J. C. Everlyn lives in Minnesota with her husband, the youngest of three daughters, two dogs, and a cat. Surrounded by what seems like endless winters, she has always enjoyed curling up next to a warm fire while reading fiction novels. This has inspired her with a dream of sharing many imaginative stories of her own.

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