A Tempting Proposal. Sherelle Green

through her lie if she told her she was fine.

      “I know, Mom. I want you to enjoy the rest of your vacation. When will you get back to the States?”

      “Your father and I are thinking about extending our vacation and going somewhere else after Fiji. But we’ll make sure we get back before the family barbecue.”

      “Wow, I’m jealous,” Imani said with a laugh. “Retirement suits you both really well. I love you, Mom. Tell Dad I love him, too, and I’ll talk to you both later.”

      “Okay, sweetie. I love you.”

      * * *

      Hope hung up with her daughter and sighed deeply.

      “Is everything okay with Imani?”

      She turned to her husband, who still looked every bit of sexy at his age.

      “I guess she’s fine. I just wish I could help her out of this dismal mood she’s been in lately. I know Gamine’s death was hard on all of us, but Imani has always been the emotional and nurturing one...just like Gamine. It seems that when Gamine passed away and Imani took on her role as the nurturer of the family, she put her emotions on hold. She hasn’t been the same since. She puts up a good front, but I know better. What she needs is a man in her life instead of only focusing on her career.”

      “Well, honey...” Her husband’s voice trailed off as she continued to talk.

      “You and I both know there’s a reason why she really wants that estate, David. Gamine told her to invest in that estate, and Imani tries her best to fulfill all the dreams Gamine had for her. You know how much Imani hates to fail, and this man she’s working with may not let her get the estate. Even Cyd and the girls avoid her at times now. They say she’s at work twenty-four-seven, and if the girls can’t get through to Imani, I don’t know who can. Both my girls have issues with men. They need to find somebody and not focus solely on the company.”

      David draped a comforting arm over her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. “Your compassion for others is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with you. But you have to realize that Imani needs to find her own way. And in due time, she will. Both of our daughters will. We have to be patient. Don’t you agree?”

      Hope listened to her husband. He always knew what to say to calm her down.

      “You’re right, honey...you’re right.”

      “Well, let me show you just how right I am.”

      With a smile, he placed a passionate kiss on his wife’s lips in hope of easing her worries.