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“Piper.” The way he says my name is almost painful.
“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true,” I claim, opening my eyes.
“Is that why they’re still searching? Because you have the feeling that he’s still around?”
“He is alive,” I insist.
He nods. “I hope you’re right.”
“But in the meantime, I’m following his crazy plan.”
King cocks a brow. “He has a plan?”
I nod. “He left me a box with videos and letters and… it’s like a memoir with instructions, so I don’t die of sadness while I wait for him.”
He smiles as if he totally expects something like that from Archer. “If you need anything, I’m here for you, Piper. You’re our sister.”
I hand him the letter. “He left you this.”
He sighs. “If he makes me cry, I’m going to go to kill him when they find him.”
I chuckle. “Oh, he’ll probably make you shed a tear or two.”
Just as he’s about to open the envelope, he asks, “Do you have letters for the others?”
I shake my head. “As far as I know, there’s nothing for them. If I do, they’re in the box waiting for their turn. I have to follow the steps. It’s almost like a scavenger hunt.”
“Only Archer would create something like that during his free time.”
King opens the letter, and as his eyes scan the paper, I see the moisture gathering in his eyes. Archer has an innate skill at telling a story or writing a letter that only a few have. Maybe that’s why he studied philosophy and English. He plans on writing books and being a teacher.
He was halfway through his Ph.D. before Uncle Mason assigned him a new mission. He took a sabbatical and will resume his education once he’s back from wherever he’s hiding.
King wipes the tear that escapes with the back of his hand before saying, “So, you’re Mrs. St. James, huh?”
I nod.
“You should’ve told us.”
I shrug. “We didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. More so when your mom wanted us to have a big wedding, and she and Mom were ready to organize it.”
“You’re a good daughter-in-law.”
“I haven’t been that great lately. How’re your parents doing?”
“They’re devastated. Everyone is grieving. You should visit the family often. We all miss you.”
“I’ll try soon, promise.”
He shows me the letter. “What do you want me to do? Neither one of them would try to take what’s yours. They see you as part of the family.”
“Honestly, I’d rather not tell anyone our marital status, but I also don’t want to get into a feud because he’s not home.”
He nods. “As I said, I doubt my parents will try anything.” He waves the paper. “The deeds to the properties are under your name too. Everything is covered. If you need money or anything, please come to me.”
“All is good. I’m just doing this because he requested it.”
He nods. “I can see why he sent you to me. Our parents are batshit crazy, and we don’t know how they’ll react to… well, anything. After their divorce, we stopped trusting them. However, you’re a St. James. Even if you weren’t married to him, we wouldn’t take anything away.”
