TONY: Slow Burn (Raging Fire Book 1) by Kallypso Masters (the false prince TXT) 📕

Chapter Sixteen

Two days before Angelina’s birthday blowout, Carm emerged from Marc and Angelina’s guest bedroom and came down the stairs wearing nothing but her bathrobe. Marc was at a special paramedic training class in Colorado Springs, so this get-together had been his idea.

None of Angelina’s friends—Karla, Megan, Cassie, and Savannah—had let slip tonight about the huge surprise party the family had planned for Sunday. Trying to have a celebration on the actual day with Marc’s and Angelina’s brothers’ schedules at their fire stations had been impossible, but the day after had worked out for everyone. Not being on her birthday would help with the surprise aspect.

Carm had left work a few hours early and the girls had enjoyed a fabulous grilled trout dinner with rice and grilled veggies—and a little too much wine.

The others were already on the back deck waiting when she exited the house. “Sorry if I kept you waiting.”

“Nonsense,” Cassie said. “Perfect timing.” She picked up a large shell of some kind that held a sage bundle and a black feather. Padding across the deck, Carm stepped out of her flip-flops as everyone else was barefoot. She wasn’t quite sure what to expect or how to prepare, so she’d follow their lead.

Cassie had explained at dinner that she’d be doing a cleansing ceremony. From what Carm surmised, Angelina and Karla had done one with Cassie before, but it was a first for Megan, Savannah, and her.

Carm eyed the inviting steam rising from the tub longingly but waited until they were ready to get in.

Cassie stood up straighter. “Legend says that when the wind carries a feather to earth it provides a special link between the bird it belonged to and the universe’s source of creation, which connects all living things to one another. I found this crow’s feather on my mountain this morning as I rushed to my studio. A crow’s feather is a symbol of balance, and—realizing we all probably struggle at times in finding balance between work, family, and friends—I thought it might be fitting for us to focus tonight on goals to improve balance in each of our lives.”

Balance between her work and personal life had been something Carm had been contemplating after the wedding—and even more so since things had cooled so abruptly between her and Tony. Despite her making two attempts at getting together with him for another hike or dinner, he’d declined, saying he was doing some special training classes. Okay, she had no reason to think he wasn’t telling the truth, but it had been two and a half weeks. Right. Carm got the message, although she couldn’t understand why he’d gone cold on her before they’d even let things heat up.

Cassie removed her robe and the other women followed suit with Carm being the last to lay her robe over a patio chair. Carm wasn’t a prude by any stretch, but the last time she’d been naked in a hot tub had been with a boy she’d dated sophomore year at college. That hadn’t worked out, either. Maybe she’d never find the right man for forever, although she did enjoy spending time with Tony.

Focus on the moment.

Cassie smudged the area with sage, guiding the smoke from the sage bundle throughout the area of the hot tub and over each of the women. Then she set the shell on the patio table, extinguished the sage, and laid the crow’s feather across the top of the shell before turning to the women again.

“Before we step into the hot tub for the final part of our ceremony, let’s each offer up what we plan to change in ourselves to help us find more balance in our lives.”

Plan? She hadn’t really given it any thought. Carm waited for someone else to speak first, uncertain what she wanted to say, but when no one else appeared to be ready, Cassie smiled.

“I will go first as I have had a little more time to think about this.” Cassie took a deep breath and continued. “If we don’t maintain a healthy balance between our work and personal lives, we risk losing sight of what truly matters most.”

The other women nodded. Carm could relate. She’d focused solely on the resort the past year or two and, other than commitments to her parents and siblings, had moved all personal relationships to a back burner.

“For months,” Cassie went on, “I have been preparing for an exhibit in Santa Fe at the gallery owned by Ryder’s sister.” She smiled toward Megan before becoming serious again. “I come into the house from my studio long after midnight most nights and head back out before Luke is even out of bed the next morning.”

She glanced down before raising her head and meeting Angelina’s gaze. “When you invited me to tonight’s gathering, you may recall I didn’t immediately accept the invitation. But even though I’ve neglected my husband these past six weeks or more, he insisted that I come. He always knows what I need before I do. I have had such a wonderful time with you ladies tonight.”

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Angelina squeezed Cassie’s forearm. “I needed this, too, but it was Marc’s idea that I invite you guys over. I guess our husbands take good care of us.”

Carm was the only single woman in the group and felt a little left out.

Cassie pointed toward the shell and feather. “As I reflected on the meaning of the crow’s feather this morning, I remembered that, as much as I love creating my art, I love my husband much more.” A beautiful smile lit her face as she thought about Luke. Carm hoped she’d have someone that special in her life one day.

“From this moment on, I intend to make sure Luke is the first priority in my life. He rescued me from a reclusive life on a lonely mountain. My artwork has blossomed immensely since I married Luke. I am sure my creativity will only grow stronger