Page 33 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

Albert chuckled. “To tell you the truth, I got a hint of an accent, but I thought my hearing was getting worse. How long have you lived in the US since you returned?”

I thought for a second, and then marvelled, “Twenty years! I had to think about that. I can’t believe it’s been that long!”

“Did your parents come back too?”

“No, they died in a car accident right before I decided to come back.”

“Wow, you were young when you came… just a baby,” he mumbled. “I am sorry about your parents.”

“Thank you,” I answered curt. I really hoped that was the end of our conversation. I still missed them, even after all these years.

“You know, Gemma,” Lena chimed in. “Croatia is on our agenda to visit, on our bucket list. You’ll have to give us tips when we finally go.”

I smiled. “Sure thing. If you want to go this year, you are more than welcome to stay at our little place.”

“You have a place in Croatia?” Albert asked in surprise.

“It is super small,” I said defensively. “It is an old stone house redone, but it fits six adults comfortably. You are welcome to use it.”

“Oh my gosh,” Lena exclaimed excitedly, and then she shouted to a few of her friends that came over. “Did you hear that? Gemma offered us a house to use in Croatia! We should just do it… we’ve been talking about it for over a year.”

“How much is it?” another lady asked.

I looked to Kristoff. It was a little bit comical, the whole situation. He actually smiled at me, a real sincere smile.

“It’s free,” I said. “Just pick weeks to visit when the house is not booked.” I pulled out my phone and handed the calendar to Lena.

“Oh, here we go,” Albert cheered on. “Group of oldies on a Croatian trip.”

I smiled. “Don’t worry, Albert. There is a secret stocked bar in the house. I’ll let you in on it.”

He winked at me, and Lena, along with her friends, started planning their travel to Croatia.

I got up and went to my kids. I felt a familiar hand on my lower back, and I knew it was Kristoff.

“Gemma,” he said quietly. “That is too generous. You’ll have to tell me how much.”

I glanced at him and smiled. “No, I don’t have to tell you how much. It was my offer, and I am happy they are considering it. Besides, my boss is paying me this awesome salary to be his admin, so I am set.” I pushed my shoulder playfully into his and walked away.

I knelt down with my kids, and Kristoff came right beside me. We joined in their game, goofing around. It was really one of the better evenings I’d had in a long time… surprisingly.

I heard Lena and her group of friends laugh, and they came over.

“We are going to do it,” Lena said happily, handing me back my phone. “We’ll be leaving in three weeks and staying for two weeks. Are you sure we are ok to take it?”

“I am positive,” I said smiling. “I’ll send a message right now, so they block those two weeks.”

“You should let us pay you,” Albert jumped in. “Really, it is smart business.”

“Well, lucky for you, I am not doing it for business,” I chuckled at Kristoff’s look. “You will do me a favor by going anyhow. You can tell me if everything looks ok. And Lena can check out my dwarf lemon tree and pomegranate tree. See, it is a win-win for all of us!”

I sent a quick message to the agent that booked my place in Croatia to block off the two weeks for Kristoff’s mother. They were all chitchatting and asking questions on things to do, things to see. I promised to send them tips within the next week and forewarned them again that it was a small house.

“Ok,” I conveyed. “As long as you are not expecting anything along the line of a grand house. It has been in my mom’s family for a long time. I just lucked out and got it.”

“Ah, Mom… I want to go too,” Sienna added to everyone’s enthusiasm.

“I know,” I answered and hugged my eldest.

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