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“She’s at peace now,” he said gently.
“I know,” she said, her voice a whisper as hot tears stung her eyes. “And Diaz and Dominic can no longer hurt anyone.” Neither of the Smith brothers had survived. Dominic died at the scene and Diaz at the hospital a short time later. Their operation had been completely shut down, and most of their men were in prison cells awaiting prosecution. Anna couldn’t wait for that day.
Another man who had been true to his word was Jackson’s boss. John had granted Anna full immunity, and he’d released Olivia to her the moment Anna had been released from the hospital.
Anna’s eyes dropped to the mound of dirt at her feet. Olivia’s death had not been peaceful, but she could rest in peace now.
Sleep well, Olivia. I love you.
She wiped the runaway tear from her cheek. It was done, and now she could come and visit them—her mother and her sister—whenever she wanted to.
Everything she’d done, every sacrifice she’d made, had all been worth it for this moment.
She stood a little longer, letting the warm sun soothe her cold soul. It was time to start over. It was time to find herself again, because she wasn’t sure who Anna King was anymore.
But she was determined to find out.
She nodded, satisfied. “Let’s go see him now,” she said, looking at Jackson.
His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Let’s go.”
They walked to the car, hand in hand. Anna didn’t look over her shoulder once, but the tendency was still there. She supposed it would be for a long time... maybe it would never leave.
Jackson drove and Anna looked out the window, seeing Oradale in a new light. Everything had seemed clearer and brighter since she’d been released from hospital. She knew Oradale hadn’t changed—not really—but she had. The burden she’d been carrying for years had been lifted and she could finally allow herself to dream of a future—of a life she lived on her terms.
They drove in silence to the nursing home, and the closer they got, the more anxious Anna felt. She hadn’t seen her father in years and didn’t know what to expect. The guilt of abandoning him in a home felt like a chain around her heart, squeezing a little tighter with every mile they drove.
When Jackson pulled up at the front, Anna didn’t know if she could get out of the car.
Jackson turned to her. “This is a good thing,” he said gently.
She nodded, feeling breathless. She got out of the car before her emotions strangled her and she couldn’t move.
They walked up the ramp to the front door of the home.
“Anna King,” she said to the receptionist.
The lady smiled warmly. “Ah, yes. The nurse is ready to take you through. Just take a seat for a moment.”
“Thank you,” Anna said, forcing a smile through her nerves. Jackson gave her a reassuring nod, and she turned toward the row of chairs, but she’d barely taken a step before she heard her name again.
“Anna?”
She turned, her heart skipping a beat as she stared at the woman a long moment.
The lady smiled. “I’m Maria, your father’s nurse. He’s doing well. Today is a good day to visit,” she said. “Some days are harder than others for him, but that’s normal.”
Anna couldn’t believe it as she looked at the nurse, who bore a striking resemblance to her mother. Her voice sounded nothing the same, but Anna could’ve sworn they were related.
Maria had briefed her over the phone on what to expect during this visit, but she still felt like she was walking into a situation she was completely unprepared for.
Something she couldn’t plan for.
Jackson took her hand, giving it another gentle squeeze as they followed Maria through to a sunlit living room.
He might not remember her, but she remembered him.
Her eyes filled with tears as she saw her father in a reclining chair with a blanket over his legs as he patted the resident cat that sat on his lap.
