The Heart-Shaped Emblor (The Ewlishash Series) (25 page)

BOOK: The Heart-Shaped Emblor (The Ewlishash Series)

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Hope and Alexander went back upstairs, and I followed. I had just begun to gather some of my things in hopes that I would be heading home soon, when I saw a red flash coming from my cell phone. Quickly, I checked the messages.

First in line had been my parents letting me know they made it home safely, next Cooper, thanking me for returning Jaden and letting me know that he’d hired a private investigator to help build the case against her parents, then finally, Mr. Wellner. That message caught me completely by surprise.

“Hello, Aislinn. This is Mr. Wellner. I’m not sure if you’re interested, but I received a call from a very close friend of mine, Natalia, and she is in desperate need for an apprentice. I thought of you first thing, but there is a problem.

“Natalia is in Limerick, Ireland. I know it’s out of the country, and probably a long shot, but I really think you would do well together and I’ve already discussed this with Dean Ellison, he said you can apply this toward your internship requirement. Please give me a call and let me know what you think. It would last for three months, until her show is over, and you would be paid and offered lodging in her one-bedroom apartment above her studio. She will also provide roundtrip plane tickets, but she needs to know soon so she can purchase a ticket right away. I will be in the pottery room all day. Hope to hear from you.”

I hung up the phone in disbelief. Before I even told Hope or Alexander, I knew what I needed to do. Everything had fallen into place, and now the final piece of the puzzle sat before me. I knew I needed to do as the Celestial Guardians had instructed, and walk through the open door. I scrolled through my caller ID list until I found Mr. Wellner.

“Mr. Wellner here.” I could tell he’d been working on something; he sounded winded.

“Hi, this is Aislinn.”

“Oh! Great! What do you think of my offer?” His eagerness echoed through the phone.

“I would love to go. In fact, this is like fate. Some of my family lives there, and I’d hoped to be able to visit them soon. I already have a passport, but won’t I have to get permission from my parents? Since I’m Running Start?”

“You’re parents already gave their permission. The office contacted them before I was able to contact you. They’ve already signed the waiver and faxed it to us. So the decision to go is yours.”

“Then count me in.” The moment I spoke, I felt the Celestial Guardians surge through me. They were letting me know this
was
my door.

“Natalia will be so pleased. I know the two of you will work well together. I’ll call her right away so she can buy your ticket. She’ll need you as soon as possible, so start packing now!” Mr. Wellner hung up before I could change my mind.

I turned to Hope and Alexander, who looked perplexed by my conversation.

“That was Mr. Wellner. I just got an offer for an apprenticeship in Limerick. He’s calling Natalia to get the plane ticket now. I can’t believe it.” The shock in my voice alarmed even me.

Both of them smiled.

“Congratulations, Aislinn,” Hope said.

Alexander smiled flirtatiously, and scooped me up into his arms. His eyes twinkled in the dim light, and his dimple appeared. “I guess this means we’re going to Ireland.”

“You’re coming too?” I had no idea if that would even be okay, but I knew we could work out the details later. I didn’t want to be alone in another country, nor did I want to be away from him.

“Of course.” He pulled me to him and placed his lips on mine, heedless of Hope’s presence. “I love you and will go anywhere you want me to. My work contract is open, so I can leave whenever I want. To Ireland it is.”

“This can’t be happening,” I began to protest, but Alexander interrupted me.

“Aislinn,” he whispered while kissing the corner of my lip. “Stop. We’ll help you. This is your destiny. ‘Walk through the open doors,’ remember? You know you have to go.”

“I know.” I let my excitement return, filling me like the warmth of a summer day. “Well, I guess I’d better start packing then.”

“Me too.” Alexander kissed me more passionately than ever before. “To our adventures in Ireland, my love, where our journey together will truly begin.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T
here are so many wonderful people in my life that I want to thank you all, even if your name does not appear here. You are still in my heart, and I appreciate your love and support.

William, thank you for being my rock, my eternal love, and best friend. Gabriel and Michael, thank you for putting up with Mom all those days when I had to write, rewrite, and edit, taking up precious time with you. To my mom and dad, thank you for always loving and encouraging me on my path.

For the folks at Cascade Writers, I’d like to thank Karen and Jorgen Junker for inviting me to my first Milford-style writing workshop where I not only met several wonderful authors, but also made strong friendships.

For Amanda, Rebecca, Stepho, and Tom, thank you for all your constant critiques and idea bouncing.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you Katie Cord for being the most rockinest publisher, and for helping to make my dreams come true.

I love you all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alaina Ewing lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two boys. She holds a degree in Multimedia Production.
The Heart-Shaped Emblor
is her debut novel, the first in the Ewlishash series.

www.alainayewing.com