His heart strong as a mountain and gentle as a summer breeze
Our love rushing like a river at flood
Our love quiet as a winter sunrise
Our love delicate as the first flower of spring
My heart at home in its homeland
At last and forever
Michael traced the letters on her gravestone. “At last and forever.” If only that had been true.
An old black anger burned in his heart as he remembered what had come next. He comforted himself with the thought that his revenge against Pierre was unfolding beautifully. And the final act was about to begin.
“Justice is coming.” A cold smile lifted his lips.
Chapter 34
Holding Hez’s hand, Savannah wandered through their new home. The refinished floors gleamed, and the scents of paint, stain, and polyurethane permeated the air. The kitchen cabinets held her supplies and utensils except for the single skillet still at her house and a handful of old silverware and plates. She and Hez had picked out new dishes, Polish pottery she couldn’t wait to use.
She followed Hez down the hall. The open door to Simon’s room invited her to enter, but she pulled it shut with a decisive snap. “I can’t look at it right now. We have no guarantee Michael will ever let him stay overnight.”
Hez squeezed her fingers. “I’ll get to work on a visitation agreement.”
She caught his forced tone and knew he had his doubts as well. Michael would relish causing them as much pain as possible. The torment he planned to inflict was far from over, and she needed to be prepared for anything he might dish out. All that mattered was getting Simon through the damage his years spent with a psychopath like his grandfather were likely to cause.
Hez tugged at her hand. “Come to our room. Wait until you see it all done.” He led her to the massive main bedroom and took her straight to the room’s view of the sunset settling its red and gold rays over the water.
She caught her breath at the display of God’s handiwork. “I can’t believe we get to see that every evening.”
Turning toward the room, she took in the furnishings. A gorgeous comforter and pillows in shades of blue and white covered the king bed she’d soon share with Hez, and she’d found a complementing blue rug that stretched under the bed. Bedside tables held matching lamps, and a stack of books waited on her side of the bed.
She stepped closer to examine the titles. The newest Lisa Gardner book was on top. “I didn’t realize this was out yet.” Under it were other favorite authors, including a new one by Robert Dugoni. “You know me so well.”
He folded her in his arms. “You are my favorite area of study.”
“I love our home so much. It would be perfect if only...”
“If only Simon could be with us.” He pressed his lips on the top of her hair.
“It’s so wrong, Hez. Justice is supposed to win, and yet it so often doesn’t. I don’t know how you continue to fight when bad decisions like this one come down.”
His arms tightened around her, and he stiffened. “This isn’t over, babe. I promise you Michael will pay for his crimes. I’ll never give up no matter how long it takes. I know he is responsible for Ella’s death, and I won’t be able to rest until the truth is out and he’s behind bars.” His arms dropped awayfrom her, and he turned toward the door. “I started an email to Hope with suggestions for how to tie Michael to Erik’s disappearance. I think I’ll go finish it and get it sent.”
She caught his arm. The last thing she needed now was to lose him to his obsession with work. “Leave things to Hope, Hez, at least until after our honeymoon. I’m weary, and I know you have to be as well. You’ve worked long and hard on all the problems facing us. Let’s rest so we can be ready to fight again later. I don’t want to focus on anything but our upcoming wedding for a while. Michael is so unpredictable, so let’s not provoke a battle until we’re ready to deal with him.” She cupped his face in her palms. “And speaking of honeymoons, where are we going? You’ve been very cagey about it.”
They’d stayed in the Caribbean on their first honeymoon, but she wanted something completely fresh and different.
“It’s a surprise.”
“But how will I know what to pack?”
His blue eyes crinkled, and he waggled his eyebrows. “I have an accomplice for the packing dilemma.”
“Nora?”
“Let’s just say you don’t have to worry about packing. I have it all under control.” He took her in his arms again. “And you’re right. The wedding is in two weeks, so let’s savor these last few days. We can finish the yard and buy any other furnishings you want here before I finally get to carry you over the threshold.” His lips claimed hers.
