Page 38 of Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

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her eyes.

"Oh Momma. This is all happening so fast. It

might not have happened overnight to you, but it has

to me."

"I know, Leigh. I appreciate what you're going

through, but I'm going to need you to help me, too. I need your support and love. Will you be more than

my daughter? Will you be my best friend, too?" Her eyes were glassy, tear-filled, but warm. I

couldn't help reaching out to her. She kissed my

cheek.

"I'll try. But Momma, what will happen to

Daddy?"

"Nothing will happen to him, Leigh. Believe

me. He has his business and that keeps him busy day

and night. You'll see him and he'll see you just as

much as you do now, which isn't all that much," she

added dryly.

I didn't say anything. She might be right about

that, I thought, but still, it felt like a sword through the

heart to hear her say it.

"And Leigh, most important of all, will you try

to like Tony? Will you give him a chance? If you do,

you will see how sweet he is and you will understand

why I love him so."

I couldn't help my feelings. Every time she said

she loved Tony, I thought about Daddy and how cruet

it all was. To think of Tony made my stomach

butterflies flutter a bit, stir from their restless sleep.

As I sat there it slowly dawned on me, sank like water

into concrete, that this was all Tony's fault. I hated

Tony! Oh, why did this rich, handsome man have to

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