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“She told me I was given a reprieve because I was carrying you…”

I let out a snort. Sounds about right.

“What about Lennox? I mean…the statues that were in that in room…they were…”

He nods and pats my arm.

“I saw them. Don’t worry. We cleaned the place, then placed an anonymous tip. They won’t find him, but the girls will get back to their families.”

Those poor girls. Frozen in their worst moment. The whole thing makes me recoil. Ethan slides his arm behind me, wrapping me in a comforting warmth.

He starts to tell me his idea for my next flower. We fall into an easy conversation as the night goes on. I don’t remember when I close my eyes, only the strong sound of his voice sending me to sleep.

39

This last week has seemed like heaven with her here. Her smell on my pillow, body in my arms, and the sound of her squeaks when I accidentally hit a tickle spot. Or get close to a tickle spot. The other night I made her giggle without touching her.

When I entered that house and heard her cackling, I knew she was in trouble. I felt it in my bones. There was something so innately off about the sound of her voice. Then I saw her. Face beaten. Blood pouring down her back. Her body fighting to stand. I don’t remember what happened after that. I remember Mark telling me to stop at one point. When I looked down, it was as if I had punched a broken watermelon until the flesh of the fruit flew over the sides of the rind.

She’s okay though. And right here. Messy bun and all. She takes her seat at the dining table. The light from the kitchen window spills across her face, casting an ethereal glow around her body. I must be staring to long, because one of her eyebrows tips up.

“Are you going to join me for this feast you prepared?” She smiles, and I swear I’d do anything for this woman. She pours a glass of orange juice and hums.

“How are you feeling today?”

She takes a bite of toast. Nodding her head from side to side. “Better, considering my head was whacked half a dozen times.”

Her words sting deeper than she knows. I should have been there. If I hadn’t been so focused on indulging my own jealousy, he never would have gotten close enough to land a single blow. She reaches across and squeezes my wrist.

“I’m much better.”

She smiles and breathes life into my lungs again.

“Since you’ve been such a good patient, I have something to show you. Hurry up and finish your breakfast.”

Her movements become increasingly animated as she scoops eggs onto her toast. I’m halfway through my bagel when she shouts “done” as though she had been in a race with herself.

“Come on.” I nod toward the pantry door.

“You’re going to show me the pantry?” She follows me like a shadow, peering over my shoulder as I open the door. I push the small panel which conceals the keypad. I enter the code, and the door swings open. I start to descend the stairs.

“Shit. I knew I should’ve checked the kitchen.”

“You were in my kitchen? There was that minor incident with the poisoning. Remember?”

I shake my head at the memory.

“First of all, I popped in here only when I saw the tea. Secondly, you weren’t poisoned…more like dosed,” she says as she hops off the last step. She takes a tentative step toward the armory entrance. Her eyes widen as she takes in the space.

“Come on. We can come back to this one.” I hold out my hand for her. When she places her strong hand in mine, my chest swells with pride at the small display of the trust she’s placed in me. I pull her closer to my side. We come to the wooden door at the end of the hallway, and I push it open, then step aside to let her enter first. She glides past me, without hesitation. Waiting until she’s several feet farther into the room, I move into the room, and flip the switch.

The vintage sconces along the wall flicker to life providing a veil of warm light over the room. Patience stops in her tracks. Her head moves slowly, absorbing the various pieces of my collection. Her collection really.

I have the rarest masterpiece in the world—her.

Stepping past her, I move to a table centered against the wall. The top of the table opens to reveal a concealed space, and I lift the item out of its hidden place. Lowering the tabletop, I place the glass box on top and step aside. Patience looks at me cautiously as she steps closer. She looks to me, then back to the table.

“I read your email. I didn’t know this meant so much to you. Truthfully, I didn’t really want it…I just wanted to get your attention for wounding my pride.”