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“Yes, and this is my husband, Señor Forrester. Where has Father Etienne gone? To a new parish?”
“No, Señora. He is taking a sabbatical in Jerusalem for the next year.”
“Oh,” she said, glancing at Roman.
“But you are not to worry. Father Etienne left you a note and he told me of the thanksgiving mass he promised you. You need only tell me what time works for you and your family. Let me fetch his letter.” The priest puttered away.
“Well, that was a surprise,” Roman said.
“I already know what the note is going to say.”
“You might be surprised.”
“Not at all. It will be full of reasons I should forgive him, and that love is the greatest of gifts and that my soul should be full of kindness not animosity.”
When he returned, Shelene gave him permission for a mass in two weeks and yes, the entire family would be in attendance. The letter with her name on it, she kept secure in her hand.
Outside, she said, “Should I read it now and be angry all the way home?”
“I can read it for you.”
“No,” she said, and pried at the seal. She unfolded the letter. And she was right about the contents. Most of it. She glanced up at Roman with tears in her eyes.
“That bad?”
“He doesn’t ask for forgiveness for himself, but that I would forgive you. Oh, Roman,” she said, and wrapped her arms about him. “I do forgive you. For everything. And there is so much joy and love in my heart and I don’t want to bear the weight of all those feelings I’ve had. I love you. I want us to have that life I dreamed of when I was sixteen.”
“You shall have it. And more.” He cupped her face. “And you must not worry, I will spend at least the next year groveling at your feet and doing penance for my callous disregard of your feelings. I will earn your forgiveness. I will rebuild that trust necessary for our future. And I will love you as I loved you once long ago. With all my heart. And I will even surrender my affection for England.”
“All of it?” she asked, smiling into his eyes.
The church steps overlooked much of the valley. He stepped behind her and pulled her into his arms, propping his chin on her head. “Here we are, Shelene. Home at last.”
Here we are.
