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“Thanks, hopefully these sell as well as the last batch.” People love my cards, and I couldn't be happier. After the shock wore off, giddiness set in. I'm free. I make my own money, and I can spend it any way I want. I can drive wherever the urge takes me. Anything I want. The world is my oyster and North Carolina has plenty.
I watch her position the display and run a hand through my now shorter hair. To go with the new me, I tried dying it a few weeks after I arrived, but in the end decided the natural auburn color suited me better.
Six months ago I was murdered.
Six months ago Xavier Stone ended my life to have me begin a new one.
And now I’m reborn, as Brianna Stoneworthy, a greeting card designer who lives on a sandy beach town in North Carolina. When Dean left me here, he told me to lay low until after the trial, a request I remain loyal to. I won’t put anyone in jeopardy.
After saying goodbye to Sadie, I head toward the beach. The light breeze promises that Spring will soon be here.
I wrap my sweater tighter around me, losing my fingers in the long sleeves. It's a different beautiful here than Maine, and I love it just as much. Wild horses and barbecue. Sometimes we have everything mapped out, but it's only a pitstop to the real destination.
The rolling ocean crashes against the shore, and I stand at the edge, watching the push and pull. Just like my heart with Xavier. God, I miss him.
I’ve dealt with missing Xavier in my life once before. But now, knowing the man he’s become, and everything he did for me, the pain is harder to control. Just remembering his soft touch is enough to bring me to my knees. LA feels a lifetime away, but I would travel there in a heartbeat if I knew we could be together. But we can't. Not with my father’s upcoming trial flashing on the national news. I cringe every time it comes on.
Along with all of his illegal dealings, he’s also being charged with Hannah’s murder.
It’s sad how one person’s actions can affect so many around them.
It took me a while to fully comprehend my father’s selfishness; not caring he was destroying those around him. Even Ian. He was so caught up in the fame and money. The greed of office consumed him.
Xavier is nothing like them.
When the tide begins to rise, I head home to the cozy, one-story, bungalow Xavier set me up in. It’s perfect. He even remembered the wrap-around porch.
When I round the corner of the street leading to my house, I spot my mom’s car in the drive. Yes, he even saved my mom. And she helped save me. Turns out she was his inside informant. After a stint in rehab, she joined me here in her own house across town.
“Hey, Mom,” I greet her, closing the distance.
She smiles, pulling me in for a hug. “I brought you a surprise.”
Expecting her to whip out my favorite pear preserves she's become obsessed with making, I glance over in confusion when she nods her head toward my front door. And that’s when I see Xavier, in a grey tailored suit, lifting his devilishly gorgeous lips into a smile. The swarm of eagles take flight.
“I'll call you later,” mom says, slipping into her car.
My heart beats as wild as the horses that sometimes roam the beach as I approach him.
“Hey, Rhi,” he says. Husky. Deep. Sexy. It's been way too long since I heard his voice.
“I think you have me mistaken for someone else,” I tease, joining him on the porch. “It’s Bri now.”
“Oh, that’s right. Can I come inside?” he asks.
“I don’t know? You armed?” I smile up at him and he cracks a wide grin. A real one. No longer tainted with secrets.
“I am packing a big weapon in my pants, but I’ll keep it contained.”
I open the door. “Come on in.”
“Nice place.” He steps around, glancing at the pictures hanging that I drew myself.
Obviously, I have to get the elephant out of the room. It doesn't fit in here with my sunny furniture. “You shot me.”
“Rhi…”
“No, you shot me and you didn’t think you should have told me you were going to do that?” I ask, more happy he’s here, but a tad agitated about him not telling me his plan.
