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"Possibly. But then what will my art be like? I guess I'll find out," he said with a small smile.
"Your art will be amazing, whatever direction it takes." I paused. "Changing the subject. How do you think we should get the stones back to Holden?"
"I've been thinking about that. I want to give the stones to Ian," he said.
"Ian?" I questioned in surprise. "Really?"
"Ian is not his brother. I did some reading on him the other day. He's very philanthropic. He gives back to the community, and he's passionate about music and the arts. I'll tell him he can give the stones to his brother, who probably stole the jewels in the first place, or he can find a way to make something good come from them."
"I like that idea. Will you say where you got the jewels?"
"Don't worry. I won't throw your mother and aunt under the bus. Although, I think Ian deserves to know that it wasn't Laura he slept with; it was Rachel. And he's the reason that crew was able to access the house. I don't want him to think he has no guilt in this situation."
"He was just stupid and fell for the wrong girl. I don't dislike your idea, but are you sure you don't want to use the stones to make your mother's life better, to make your community better? What about just selling one of the diamonds and doing something in your dad's name?"
"It feels like blood money to me. I'd rather honor my father by living my life in the right way, making him proud, and I'll take care of my mother myself."
I liked his pride, his strength, his sense of right and wrong. "That sounds like a good plan. Have you spoken to your mother yet?"
"No. I wanted to hear the full story first. I'm not sure the details will matter that much to her. She made her peace with my father's death a long time ago. I will call her at some point, but the first thing I'm going to do when I get back to your mother's house is move out. I'll find somewhere to stay until after my show, and then who knows? I'll see where the road takes me."
I was a little sad that he wasn't including me in his future, but I couldn't make plans with him, either. I had no idea where my life was going to go, and I had to figure that out on my own. I couldn't fall into someone else's life. I couldn't let someone else's dreams overtake mine. I had to make something for myself.
"Do you think our roads will ever intersect again?" I asked.
His eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "I wouldn't mind if they did."
"I wouldn't mind, either." I leaned forward to give him a kiss. His mouth was warm, his lips a little salty, and I savored the connection for as long as I could, because it might be the last one.
"Let's walk a little before we go back," Kade said as we broke apart.
I got to my feet, and when he reached out his hand to me, I took it. We walked down the beach until we couldn't go any farther, and then we returned to the house.
I turned over the velvet pouch to Kade and we said goodbye on the porch. It didn't take long for me to pack my suitcase and exit the house. There was really no reason to linger.
When I got in the car, I texted Dani that I was leaving San Francisco. Then I drove down the road, forever changed by my past, but looking forward to my future, whatever that might be.
EPILOGUE
Four months later…
The Grande Salle at the Philharmonie de Paris was completely full, with over two thousand people gathered to hear the concert put on by the visiting Pacific Coast Orchestra. I took my seat in the second row of violins, feeling tingles of excitement race through my body as I prepared for the last concert in our European tour, a concert that was taking place on New Year's Eve, which seemed symbolic. This past year had been filled with so many challenges, discoveries, lies, truths, and emotions. It was ending well, but I wasn't sorry to see the calendar change.
I didn't know what the new year would bring, but hopefully more of the joy I'd been experiencing the last two months as I had toured the world and played in front of many audiences in many different cities. Each concert had made me a better musician and more appreciative of the opportunity that had been given to me.
I already had a couple of job offers for next year, but I hadn't made any decisions yet. I was saving those until midnight.
Turning my attention to the conductor, I got into position, and then I began to play. I had always channeled my emotions through the violin, but in the past, I'd sometimes run from those feelings. Now, I reveled in them. I let myself feel everything and then let the emotions flow through my fingers and through my instrument.
We played for over an hour, but it felt like minutes, and I was sad when it ended. But the thunderous applause perked me up, and when I walked backstage, I was still humming from the performance.
"Great job, Brynn," Ray said with a smile. "Can you believe our tour is over?"
"I can't," I said, looking at the man who had changed my life by pushing me into auditioning in the first place. Ray had also been a great support the past few months as I'd found my confidence in my role with the orchestra.
"Have you decided what you're going to do next year?" he asked. "Please don't tell me you're going back to the clothing boutique."
"No. Dani hired a full-time assistant manager and has been taking time off to enjoy her pregnancy. She has five weeks to go and is happy as can be. I will be doing something in music, but I haven't decided yet."
