Page 70 of Blood Money

Seventeen years old….

“Be good, sprite. I’ll see you at Thanksgiving,” Nonna said as she hugged me at Union Station near the Amtrak ticketing kiosk. It was busy, and people milled around us, some meandering, some rushing as if they were about to miss their train.

Nearly giddy, I squeezed her tightly. “Absolutely. Thank you again for letting me chill with you all summer.”

“Pssh! It was my pleasure. You were a great help, as always. I can’t thank you enough.”

“You paid me, Nonna,” I chided as I laughed.

She pulled back and held me by the shoulders, her expression serious. “Kendall, good help is hard to find, and your time is valuable. Remember that. You. Have. Value. Don’t base who you are and how happy you are on anyone else. Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes we have to learn to let go so we can fly.”

“Oooo-kay, Nonna.” Her sage words had me giving her a frowning smile because she wasn’t making a lot of sense. Then again, she always did like to give me cryptic advice. Part of her personality that I loved.

She used her cool hands to cradle my cheeks. “I love you so much, Kendall. One day, you’ll run my bakery, and you’ll create beautiful things, meet a wonderful man who supports you and keeps you safe, and have little babies who love sweets as much as their mama. You, my darling, are my legacy.”

Tears swam in my eyes. Nonna was never upset that my mom wasn’t interested in the bakery. She only wanted what made Mom happy. But she was so pleased that the bakery was in my blood. Truth be told, I was too. And what she’d said really hit home, because I’d already met that man. One day, when I was a grown adult, we would be together, and we would return to Chicago. I could see it all now—I would run the bakery, and we would have a family.

“Thank you, Nonna. That means so much to me.” I gripped her wrists and gave a gentle squeeze.

She gave me another big hug.

“You don’t need to stay with me. I’m a big girl. I know you need to get back,” I assured her.

“Are you sure?” She searched my face with a furrowed brow.

“I’m absolutely sure. I’m not five anymore. I know how to listen for my train and not talk to strangers. I’ve got my tickets, and I know where to go.” Playfully, I shook the tickets in front of her.

Despite my teasing, she looked worried about me, and I thought it was sweet. Finally, she shook her head, and with a soft smile, she relented. “Call me if there are any issues with your train and you need me to come back.”

“You know I will.”

With one last kiss to my cheek, she walked off.

Though I was sad for the summer to be over, I was excited. I glanced at the time on my phone, then scanned the crowd in Union Station. I’d already dropped off my suitcase in the baggage area, so I was ready to go. With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I stood alone in the middle of the Great Hall.

Me: I’m waiting in front of the Amtrak ticketing kiosk

I watched for the dots telling me he was replying, but they didn’t come. I figured he wasn’t able to right now and hoped everything was okay.

Me: I can’t wait to see you

Still nothing.

I shoved my phone in my back pocket. With an hour before my train left, I chewed on my lip, trying to decide whether I should go wandering around or stay put. Since I had time, I figured I might as well sit my ass down.

My brow pinched as I looked for an open seat. Finally, I saw an opening and hurried over. Once I was in place, I pulled my phone out again. With each minute that rolled by, I scooted closer to the edge of my seat. My anxiety ratcheted higher as they made the announcement that my train was boarding in five minutes.

Me: I need to head over to board. Are you here yet?

Dead silence.

I knew I needed to head toward the train. Maybe he planned on meeting me there. Hell, maybe he was already there.

Calling his number, I held the phone to my ear as I wove through the crowd toward my concourse. It rang and rang before it went to his voice mail.

People were starting to board when I arrived at my train, and I popped up on my tippy toes to see over the crowd, looking for dark hair and crystal-blue eyes. When I didn’t see him, I glanced at my phone. I was running out of time. My heart started to pound, and I tried hopping to see better. A dark head with headphones on wove through the crowd, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Until he looked up and I saw his brown eyes lift.