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“It’s more than okay, munchkin.” He looked up at me, his eyes darting back and forth.
“Here you go, honey. I bet these are some of your mommy’s favorite flowers.”
As her little face peered up at me, I could tell she was conflicted, but she took them from my hand, remaining where she was until Princess nuzzled against her. “Come on, Princess. Let’s say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy.”
I had to back away, unable to keep the sobs from wrecking me. I closed my eyes, the tears burning. When I felt his hand on my shoulder, I shifted toward him, allowing the powerful man to take me into his arms.
“This is the right thing,” he whispered.
“I know. I just…”
“It’s okay.”
We both watched as she knelt down, dividing the flowers perfectly, placing them one by one on the side-by-side graves. I had no idea what she was saying to them, but I knew it was important for her as well as for both of us.
Princess never left her side, lying on Galen’s grave as Lily stroked her back. After a few minutes, Lily stood waving goodbye. Then she turned and raced into Savage’s arms, immediately bursting into tears.
That was all I could take, allowing the tears to fall.
As he held her, she nuzzled into his neck.
Only after she calmed down did he reach for my hand.
“Come, Princess,” I managed, taking her leash. As we headed down the knoll, I sensed Lily had fallen asleep. I looked back once and hoped that Galen and Marissa knew Savage would take care of their little girl always and forever.
He eased her into the backseat, remaining so quiet that I wanted to ask him what he was thinking.
As he drove away, I glanced into the side mirror. “Where are we going? Maybe ice cream?”
“I have something better in mind,” he said, chuckling afterwards.
“What are you doing?”
“You’ll see. You need to learn patience among other things.”
“I’m very patient.”
We both laughed, although our hearts were still heavy.
Once he was on the highway, I knew instinctively he was headed for Boulder City. Whatever surprise he had in mind, I could tell it brought him some level of joy.
Lily remained asleep for the duration of the trip, but her little radar was still active, both she and Princess suddenly popping between us.
“Where are we going? To see Frank and Carrie?” she asked.
“Not today. Somewhere better,” he answered.
I narrowed my eyes as I stared at him. When he scrunched up his face, all I could do was laugh. He drove into a neighborhood that was similar to the one where Frank and Carrie lived. The houses were older, almost all of them with large trees in the front yard. The second he turned down a driveway, I noticed a ‘for sale’ sign with a ‘sold’ sign covering a portion.
“What did you do?” I asked in my usual demanding tone.
“Patience, woman. Or else.”
Why did his subtle warning seem even more powerful, leaving me tingling all over? He stopped in front of an absolutely adorable older home. The two-story white house had a large wraparound front porch, a swing hanging from the rafters. The shutters were a dark green, the double front door adorned with colored glass. Grassy land surrounded the exterior and on one side there was a white fence. Flowers grew from several beds, shrubs everywhere.
“What is this place?” I asked as he parked.
“Just a little something special.” He ripped off his seatbelt, his smile larger than life.
