Chapter 25

Martha reluctantly agreed and then left the store. Once she'd gone Adel offered her appology to Cassie this time, "I had no idea I could cause so much trouble in such a short time!"

Cassie laughed and hugged Adel, "Please don't worry about it. I've had another misunderstandings with Martha. She will get over it in time."

"Alright Cassie, thank you. Now there is something I'd like to talk to you about the things you have in your window. There are a couple of things that I can't identify and there are three things I'd like to purchase. Can I show you?"

By the time AJ had picked up Bud and Harriett and dropped them at Grayhouse then arrived at the Bell, Book, and Candle Adel and Cassie had become fast friends. After explaining what the bottles of essential oils that Adel had pointed out as wanting to know what they were she'd not only purchased them, but added two more of Cassie's special blends to her total.

AJ could hardly believe it when he walked in to find the two of them laughing like old friends. They explained how things had worked out with Martha and then Adel's shopping spree through the store.

The three of them had lunch at the Bistro and then Cassie and AJ left Adel to run the shop while they went to the airport to pick up Francesca.

She came down the runway and started waving as soon as she saw her father. Drawing closer she saw the woman at his side. She hugged her father and said, "Oh Papa you are finally marrying your beautiful Marine Colonel! I am so happy for you!"

"Kill me now for the family I have!" AJ declared.

Cassie couldn't help it, she laughed.

"Did I say something wrong Papa?" Francesca asked in confussion at the reaction from both her father and the woman with him.

"Yes Francesca. First, there was never anything between Colonel Mackenzie and myself! Second, she has been married to Captain Rabb for the last six years and third this is my finacee' Cassie Nightengale not Sarah Mackenzie."

"But she looks just like her!" Francesca protested.

Cassie spoke for the first time, "That is true but there is no family connection."

"How can that be?" Francesca questioned.

"We haven't been able to figure that out," Cassie told her.

AJ stepped in then and suggested, "We should head to baggage claim and get your luggage Francesca. I'm sure that you'd like to get back to Grayhouse so you can rest before dinner."

This seemed to make Francesca aware of how the mistake she had made had pulled focus from how she should have reacted to meeting her father's fiancee', "Cassie, I am SO sorry! I should have been telling you how happy I am to meet you and that you're marrying my Papa instead of what I did. Can you please forgive me?"

"It was an honest mistake Francesca and of course I can forgive you," Cassie told her and then hugged her. "Now why don't we get your luggage as your father suggested."

The three of them pulled up in front of the bed and breakfast just as Harm and Mac were returning from a walk. Francesca got out of the car and looked back and forth between Cassie and Mac shaking her head in disbelief that the two looked so much alike without being related in any way.

Inside Francesca was introduced to Sturgis and Varise whom she'd never met in her father's time at JAG. Then she got to meet Cassie's family. George and Brandon were charmed by her beauty and accent while Grace fell in love with her clothes. She quickly offered to show Francesca to her room and even said she would take her bagse up.

AJ didn't understand why Grace was so interested in helping Francesca so said he would help take the bags up. In the room Grace told Francesca she would be glad to help her unpack.

"Francesca might want to rest before dinner Grace."

Having seen Grace's fasination with what she was wearing Francesca said, "I wuld like to rest now, but I'd love to have your help with my unpacking after dinner if that is okay with you Grace."

To Be Continued…