“Can you tell him that I’m only in a hurry to get to my brother?”
I relay the information.
“Then let’s get her to him.”
We pull through the gates of Wintersgate Cemetery, driving as close as we can get before our feet will have to carry us the rest of the way.
Nick is just ahead, with Isla right next to him.
As I walk through the snow-covered paths of the cemetery, I can’t help but be struck by the eerie beauty of the place. Tombstones rise up from the earth like solemn sentinels, waiting to greet the newest addition to their ranks.
Despite the chill in the air, there’s a strange sense of peace that permeates the atmosphere, as if the spirits of the departed are watching over the place, keeping vigil.
When we finally make it to Isla’s grave, all three of us stand still, looking at Isla’s name etched into the stone.
“You were the best part of my life,” Nick says, his voice filled with emotion. “A piece of me died with you that day.”
I remain silent, allowing Nick this time to say all that’s leftbetween him and Isla, hoping it brings him peace as much as it does her.
“But I’ve come to terms with that season of life ending, and I’m ready to move forward,” he declares, looking over at me when he says, “I’ve found happiness again.”
Tears well up in my eyes as Isla’s spirit nods. “I’m happy that you’re happy,” she whispers. “There’s no sadness or jealousy in my heart. Only love.” She turns to me. “Treat him right.” She smiles, and I return it.
I take the time to share with Nick all that Isla’s said. It’s clear that a heavy weight has been lifted. He knows she doesn’t feel replaced or hurt. She’s happy.
I hand Nick the ring, and he bends over the grass where Isla’s remains rest.
“Goodbye, Isla. I’ll carry you with me always.”
She places a ghostly hand on his shoulder. “And I’ll carry your love with me to Heaven. Goodbye, my love.”
With that, Nick buries the ring. A bright light surrounds us, and I look up in time to see Isla’s head tilt toward the sky, a look of peace on her face that can only mean she’s on her way home.
“Thank you, Isla, for helping mold Nick into the man he is today,” I say, earning one final smile before she moves on, leaving the earth behind.
I give Nick a few moments of silence, allowing him time to grieve her loss again. When he’s ready, he turns and moves past me, steps quick.
“We need to do some research on Matilda Hampson,” Nick says, his voice grave as he looks over his shoulder at me.
“Umm…” I have questions, but I don’t want to voice them.
Maybe this is how Nick copes, by pushing it down and getting back into detective mode.
“Carl Hampson’s tomb was right behind Isla’s,” he explains,but I’m still at a loss for why he’s bringing this up now. “That symbol—from the Order of Providence—it was on his tombstone.”
My steps falter. I didn’t see it, but then again, I wasn’t exactly looking at any tombstone but Isla’s.
“Seeing it reminded me that I have questions for Matilda,” he says. “There has to be a reason why his spirit stuck around and decided to attach itself to his brother’s wife, of all people.”
I’d wondered the same thing.
“Especially considering Carl Hampson was likely murdered.”
My head snaps up to Nick. “Murdered?”
He nods. “Gunshot wound to the head that was originally ruled a suicide. When I dug into the records, it was considered that based on a statement made by Matilda. She claimed that his behavior had been erratic leading up to his death and that he’d told her he was considering taking his own life.” He shakes his head. “Statements given by his doctor and others say the exact opposite.”
It’s hard to fathom Matilda being embroiled in anything unsavory. Her husband and brother-in-law might have had their share of shady dealings, but surely not her. She always seemed so innocent and naive, tending to her garden and baking pies for all the festivals. But then again, appearances can be deceiving, and in this town, secrets run deep, or so it would seem.
