I look at her.
"Max."
"You should not be here."
"I know."
"Evangeline, what did you do?”
She looks at me. She does not answer.
The smoke rolls at the south wall. The wind from the north is steady. The deck gun is going at the building. The big rookie has the line. Doyle is on the radio with Val. The morning is grey at the foothills. The sun is not up yet.
"I love you," she says.
"Evangeline.” My world opens wide and my heart leaps.
“Max, I love you, and I am not going to say it the way I said it on Wednesday because the way I said it on Wednesday was the first time and we had had so much sex, I am saying it this time because I really really mean it and I am going to say it every time I see you for the rest of my life, and I am going to be with you, and I am with you, and I am yours."
"Evangeline.”
"Yes."
"Did you set this?”
She looks at me.
She does not look away.
"Yes."
My chest goes tight.
"You set the records storage."
"I paid someone. A man that Daniel used to use.”
"Evangeline!” I am frustrated with her. The risks she has taken. Is taking. "Why?”
She looks at me.
"Because I think it will clear you and it will clear me.”
"Evangeline.”
I look at her and a half smile threatens my lips. She is so beautiful.
"You came back."
"Yes. I want to be with you and I don’t want to hide. I love you.”
She is two paces away.
She has not put a hand on me.
I have not put a hand on her.
"You did this for me?” I feel a rush of emotion that she has done this for me.
