AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His eyes lifted to them as they walked toward him, and his forehead creased.
“Josh, these are your visitors, Anna and Jackson,” Maria said.
Her father’s eyes landed on her and he squinted. “Anna,” he said whimsically, then smiled. She didn’t think he really recognized her—she’d been told he most likely wouldn’t—but he seemed happy she was there, and that was enough for her.
More tears filled her eyes. She’d cried more today than she had in years.
She leaned in and hugged him and he patted her back.
“Why are you crying, dear? Everything will be okay,” he said. His voice was a little croakier, but it was still the voice she remembered.
“I’m crying happy tears,” Anna said, smiling as her tears fell onto his sweater. She pulled back, took his hand, and squeezed it. “I’m sorry it took me so long to visit, Dad,” she said.
He frowned, then looked to Maria who gave a reassuring smile.
He seemed confused for a moment, but it didn’t upset him. “Happy tears are good,” he eventually said. “And who are you?” he asked rather abruptly as he looked at Jackson.
Jackson grinned, leaning in. “Don’t tell her,” he whispered loud enough for them all to hear, “but I’m going to marry her one day. I’m going to be your son-in-law.”
Her father looked between them, his eyes wide, and then a smile beamed across his face. He looked back to Jackson. “Well, what’s taking you so long?”
They laughed and Anna exhaled, truly exhaled, for the first time in years.
Everything was going to be okay.
She smiled at Jackson, grateful he’d pushed his way into her perfect plan and threatened to ruin it all.
Anna still wasn’t convinced God had brought them together like Jackson continued to tell her... but she was prepared to consider the possibility.
They sat with her father for a few hours, talking with him, telling him how much she’d missed him.
Sometimes they sat in silence, just being with each other.
Sometimes the nurses came and chatted with them.
When they eventually left, Anna’s heart was lighter. She may have left him in the nursing home while she became Anna White, but she could tell he’d been well cared for and was loved by the staff and the other residents. She could make peace with that and forgive herself for the choices she’d felt she had to make.
As they walked to the car, Jackson drew her into his arms. “How do you feel?” he asked, searching her eyes.
“Surprisingly good. I feel... at peace,” she said.
He smiled, pressing his forehead to hers. “Good,” he whispered.
“You really think you’re going to marry me?” she asked, grinning.
He chuckled, pulling back to look at her. “I know I am. You and me... we were destined for each other. I mean, we might want to date for more than a few weeks before we get hitched, but I already know. You, Anna King, have consumed my thoughts since the night we met.” He paused, looking into her eyes. “We’ll be a good team, Anna. At work and at home. I had no idea what I was missing until I met you.”
Her heart swelled. They were going to be partners on the field and off. Along with her immunity, she’d been offered an undercover role with Jackson. Given her legal career, she would be hired as a legal aid, and Jackson would play the client. They were due to start in a few weeks, investigating a firm suspected of enabling money laundering. The best part was that the firm was located only an hour away, so they could commute to see Anna’s father, because she would not abandon him again. She couldn’t go back in time, but she could be there for him every day of the rest of his life.
Jackson lifted her chin, bringing his lips to hers.
Anna closed her eyes, savoring his touch. Olivia was at rest. Her father was safe and cared for, and she could be in his life.
This was the life she’d dreamed of.
