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‘How?’
‘I think you’ve woken up, and I think all the emotions you’ve kept caged are surfacing and you’re starting to live life again. I’d further guess that your befuddled confusion has something to do with love. If it does, don’t reject it, April. Love is too precious.’
Love? The word rebounded around the room like a cannonball and she could feel the reverberations through her whole body She loved Marcus! What an idiot she was. A fool thrice over.
‘I have to reject it!’ she yelled suddenly, aghast with herself at the volume of her voice. ‘Look where love landed me last time.’
‘“Last time” was a long time ago, and a lot of people were taken in by Dean. But Dean was one person. You made one mistake in love.’
‘And it cost my son his life.’
‘No, sweetheart. Your belief in love did not cost Edward his life. Dean’s actions and some very bad luck cost Edward his life, and that does not mean you should never love or trust again. I don’t believe you ever loved Dean. You were young and you got carried away. If life had worked out I think you would have realised that mistake without the tragedy that unfolded. Love did not cost Edward his life—love made the short time he had on this earth a happy time. Love is a precious commodity, and if you’re lucky enough to love and be loved I hope you embrace it rather than shut it out.’
April stared at her dad’s much-loved face and then rose to her feet and hugged him. ‘Thank you. I still feel befuddled and confused, but I also feel better.’
‘You’re very welcome, sweetheart. I wish you luck with your decision.’
April sank down by the window again and wondered what to do...
Two days later
April sat by the graveside, ran her fingers over the headstone. She touched the items she’d placed so lovingly around the site. The windmill that turned in the breeze—Edward had been fascinated by the whirr and swirl of the colours as a baby. A tall vase filled with bright flowers—a standing order with the local florist still honoured. Edward’s headstone.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d been sitting there, gazing at the stone.
‘Edward, I love you, oh-so-much, and I am so very sorry I couldn’t protect you.’
Hugging her knees, she looked out over the cemetery and thought about her chosen course of action. And although there was panic in the mix of her feelings, there was also a sense of rightness. She did love Marcus, and—
She tensed at the sound of approaching footsteps, praying it wasn’t a member of Dean’s family...
She rose, turned, and froze in disbelief, sure she must be in the grip of hallucination. But there was something too real about the solid bulk, the aura, the pent-up energy of Marcus Alrikson that brooked no denial.
‘I’m sorry to come here...to intrude...but I didn’t want to risk the chance of missing you. Would you prefer it if I wait somewhere else? Or we could arrange to meet later? Or—?’
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m glad you’re here. It sounds a little nuts, but I came here to tell Edward something important—to clear my head and make my peace... I’m not sure—’ She broke off, aware that she wasn’t making sense. ‘How did you find me?’ The question was more curious than angry.
‘Your parents told me where you were.’
‘They did?’
‘I persuaded them that it was a desperate case.’
A horrible thought entered her head. ‘If it’s about the article, I’ll send you a copy to approve first—’
‘The article? Of course it’s not about the article. You can write what you like. Hell, I’ll pose for a centrefold in a pair of tightie-whities, if you like.’
April stared at him. He sounded...agitated. Marcus Alrikson? Agitated?
Suddenly, to her own surprise, she laughed, knowing that if Edward’s spirit could hear he wouldn’t mind.
‘That won’t be necessary. So what’s so desperate?’ A sudden lurch of hope jumped around in her tummy.
‘I should never have kept that promise,’ he said. ‘To let you say goodbye. Because I don’t want you to walk away. Not then, not now, not ever.’
‘Why not?’ The words were a whisper.
‘Because I love you.’
