My Lucky Groom (Summer Grooms Series) by Ginny Baird Page B

herself long ago that if she could only find that same
fortune again, she’d be able to take her first receiving it as less of a sign. But
the truth was her receiving it at age eleven had been a defining moment. The
fortune promised her a certain kind of future, while her father had proved in
person that fairy-tale futures don’t exist.
    After he’d left for Kenya, Ventura had never seen him again.
Not even once. At first, he’d sent post cards. One from Mozambique, another from
Nepal… He was traveling around the world, making his way as a journalist and
forgetting all about his family. Ventura’s sister later learned their dad had
made a new one. He’d married someone from Scotland and now lived Brazil, with a
much younger set of kids that he shared with his brand new wife. Ventura, Hope,
and her mom were collateral damage in his journalistic ambition. She’d never
really understood how he could have been heartless enough to leave them, when
that wasn’t the father she remembered. Over the years, Ventura grew to sadly understand
that the man she’d recalled was just an illusion. She’d never really known her
dad at all.
    Mary glanced back toward the kitchen where hordes of
fortunes plastered the refrigerator. “Which one is it?”
    “It’s not in there.”
    “No?”
    “I keep the special one in my wallet. With me all the time.”
    “What does it say?”
    Ventura shook her head. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
    “Why not?” she said, her voice tinged with hurt. “I’m your
best friend.”
    Ventura studied her kindly. “Of course you are. And I
wouldn’t change that for the world.”
    “Then why…?”
    “It’s personal, you know? So personal that it’s almost
become a secret wish.”
    “You mean, like the kind someone makes on their birthday
when blowing out candles?”
    “Like that exactly.”
    “You’re afraid if you tell me, it won’t come true.”
    Ventura felt her chin tremble. “Oh, Mary, what if it never
comes true?” She hunched forward with a sob, and Mary wound her arms around
her.
    “Hey, you listen to me. If it’s a good one, then it’s bound
to. You’re a great person, Ventura. You deserve good things. They’ll happen.
Just you wait and see.”
    “I think I love Richard!” Ventura wailed.
    Mary pulled back with a start and met Ventura’s bleary eyes.
“What? You mean , you’re still crushing on him?”
    “No!” Ventura sniffed. “I mean , I
want to have his babies.”
    Mary’s eyes went wide. “Ricky and Elisa?”
    Ventura nodded, tears streaming from her eyes. “And other
ones too.”
    “Oh my God.” Mary tugged Ventura back toward her chest and
hugged her tight. “How on earth did this happen? What about Charles?”
    “I don’t know,” Ventura said with a whimper. “He’s such a
great guy!”
    Mary patted her back. “Does Richard feel the same?”
    There was silence as Ventura collected her thoughts.
    “Ventura?” Mary asked again. “Does Richard feel the same?”
    She broke Mary’s embrace and grabbed a napkin off the coffee
table to dab her eyes. “He wants me to stay the nanny.”
    “Ha!” Mary said, indignant. “So what? He can have his cake
and eat it too?”
    “No, nothing like that. He wants us to continue as we were.
Totally on the level.”
    “Can you do that?” Mary asked with concern.
    Ventura drew a breath. “I don’t know.”
    Mary stared out the window for a prolonged beat, as if
considering something. “Ventura,” she finally said, “there’s something I’ve
been meaning to tell you, but I wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”
    “Go on.”
    “There’s a new opening at the Daily Globe .”
    “Really?”
    “I’ve hesitated in mentioning it because you’ve been so
happy at Richard’s.”
    For the first time in the past few hours, Ventura felt
hopeful. “But it’s in journalism, right?”
    “In a way.” Mary grimaced. “Actually, I’m hiring my
replacement.”
    Ventura blinked. “Mary,” she said with