25

“Now you’re the patient of honor.” Nikki tucked the blanket around Cassie. “How are you feeling? Are you warm enough? I can get you another blanket.”

“Mom already has three of them on me, Auntie. I’m roasting.”

Bethany walked in. “I just got off the phone with Sarah Goode. Apparently, Elizabeth confessed to all of it. Even the murder of Victoria. She’d hired those men to kill Victoria. It’s all so…horrible…such a waste of lives.”

Cassie wiped at tears. “Why would someone think killing people was a way to get love? None of it makes sense.”

“It’s a confusing world we live in.” Bethany hugged Cassie. “All the more reason to keep our eyes focused on God. His truth and His wisdom are the only way.”

“I can’t disagree with that. Don’t make all the mistakes I’ve made,” Nikki said.

“You made mistakes, Auntie? That’s hard to imagine.”

Nikki laughed. “Yeah, right.”

Nikki didn’t ask why Lucas hadn’t called her with the information. As he’d said, he was hurt and angry that she’d kept his daughter from him. She couldn’t blame him. Some wrong choices could never be rectified. One only learned to live with the consequences.

She didn’t understand why God had let her fall in love with Lucas—again. Just so he could leave her—again. But that wasn’t exactly true. She’d never stopped loving Lucas.

God wanted her to make peace with her past and to create a new life for herself. A new future. One where she could be happy.

“I can’t believe she had his wife killed,” Cassie said. “How awful for him. I never did meet him so I could thank him. For saving us.”

“That’s OK. I thanked him enough for both of us.”

“Still, I would have liked to meet the next senator of North Carolina.”

Bethany smiled as Cassie rambled on. When she stopped talking, Bethany said, “Who knows? That still could happen one of these days. Maiden’s a small town. What about Kathryn Rites, Nikki? What will happen to her?”

“Charges were dropped. There’s nothing illegal about taking a public figure’s picture.”

She’d told Stanley the same thing. Had his wife forgiven him? Nikki now understood the power of forgiveness. Understood it was the right thing to do. Of course, just as with her and Lucas, forgiveness didn’t mean one could erase the past. People still had to live with their choices. And she was willing to live with hers—for Cassie’s sake.

“I would love some ice cream, Mom.”

Bethany put her hands on her hips. “Are you trying to take advantage of me, young lady?”

Cassie laughed. “Of course.”

“Good. You can get away with that for a few more days. And then back to real life.”

“I’ll get it. Ice cream coming right up.” Nikki spoke up. “What flavor do you want? If it’s not in the house, I can go to the store.”

“Vanilla’s fine. It’s my favorite.”

“Really.” She looked at Bethany. “Like mother, like daughter. That’s your favorite too.”

Their gazes met. Bethany smiled. “Always has been and always will be.”

“I find it a bit boring myself, but to each their own.” Nikki grinned. “That’s what I say.”

Bethany and Cassie laughed.

“You don’t know what you’re missing, Auntie. Vanilla is the best.”

“Whatever,” Nikki said as she walked out of the room.

A few minutes later, she walked back in with three dishes of vanilla. Nikki handed one to Bethany and Cassie and then kept the one with hot-fudge sauce for herself.

Everyone dug in.

“I’m leaving today,” Nikki announced.

“Today?” Bethany looked up. “You don’t have to leave so soon.”

“Yeah, I do.”

Between bites, Cassie said, “Can’t you stay for a few more days?”

“No, I can’t.”

“But you aren’t completely recovered.” Bethany looked worried. “Those stitches could come out again.”

“I’m recovered enough. I’ve got things to do.”

Bethany’s eyes widened. “What kind of things? Please tell me you don’t have another case already.”

“Nope. You’ll both be happy to know there won’t be any more cases.”

“Why not?” Cassie scooped another bite of ice cream.

“I’m done with being a private investigator.”

Cassie’s spoon stopped midway to her mouth. “Why? I thought you loved it.”

“I did. But not anymore.” She knew in her heart that she wouldn’t find the promise of God’s peace and joy when she chose to live in a world of too-easy violence. “I’m ready for something new. Not sure what yet, but I know God will open the right doors for me.” She grinned at Cassie.

“Good. Getting shot once is more than enough. I don’t think I could handle it again. I think you’re right to find a new job. And you can move here to do it.” Bethany met her gaze full on. “I mean it, Nikki. It’s time for you to come home.”

Her eyes filled with tears. For years, she’d thought Bethany wanted Nikki to live somewhere else. Away from her—away from Cassie. It was good to know her sister still loved her. “That’s sweet, Bethie. And maybe that’s what God has in mind, but maybe not. I’ll just have to wait and see.”

“When are you leaving?”

“In a little bit. Don’t worry. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

Cassie laughed. “That’s right. She’s had hand-to-hand combat training. She’s a tough one.”

Her sister hugged her. “That may be true but it doesn’t stop a big sister from worrying. Now I’ve got to get these dishes out of here. You know how dirty dishes make me nervous.”

After she’d gone, Nikki sat down beside Cassie. “What do you remember about what happened to you?”

“Not a lot.” Cassie picked up Nikki’s hand. “They will always be my parents.”

Nikki turned to Cassie—to her daughter. Their eyes met. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

“I wasn’t all the way drugged when…she was talking. Pieces fell into place. You will always be my very, very special auntie. You did a very good thing making sure I was in a loving family. And God will honor you for that. As will I.”

“I…I…” No words would come.

Cassie squeezed her hand. “It’s OK. I always knew there was something very special about you. About our bond. Now I understand. And now you can be with Lucas—if that’s what you want.”

“Lucas and I don’t have a future. Not everything can be fixed.”

“I hope it’s not because of me.”

“Not at all. Too much time and too much pain.” Nikki smiled through her tears. “When will you tell them?”

“Soon—secrets aren’t a good thing in a family.”

Nikki touched her cheek. “How did you get so wise?”

“I come from a long line of wise women.”

“Yes, you do, and your mother”—She indicated the kitchen with a nod of her head—“is the wisest of all.”

Cassie smiled at her. “Yes, she is. Mothers are a wonderful thing…both of them.”

****

Nikki stood in her office, surrounded by a sea of boxes. She walked over to her computer and stared at the yellow sticky note. It seemed a lifetime ago when Lucas had walked in and all she could see was the word FORGIVENESS. She smiled and tore it off the computer. She didn’t need the reminder any longer.

The bell above the door tinkled.

“Hey, Robbie. What are you doing here?”

“Are you kidding? I had to come to see the real-life hero for myself. Make sure you were still breathing. You’re famous.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s all over the news what happened to you and your niece and that guy running for senator. Must have been some kind of crazy.”

“It was. But I can’t believe it’s on TV.” Of course, that made sense. That was too much great publicity to pass up. Even without Elizabeth hounding Lucas.

“So, you got shot, huh?”

She nodded. She raised the arm of her shirt enough to show off the bullet wound.

“And so what? The first time you’re shot, you’re quitting.” He motioned at the boxes.

“I guess I wasn’t as tough as I thought I was. It turns out that getting shot hurts.” She grinned. “And I didn’t like it one bit.”

“Can’t say I blame you for that. What will you do now?”

“I have no idea. But I can tell you one thing—it won’t involve guns or cheating spouses.”

“That eliminates a lot.” Robbie smiled. “Are you leaving town or staying here?”

“I’m leaving town. Once I get everything packed, I’m having it shipped back to my sister’s. Then I’m taking an extended road trip to find myself.”

“Still searching for the perfect man, huh?”

She smiled past the pain in her heart. She’d found the perfect man, but it just wasn’t meant to be. “Not at all. I told you before I am done with that.”

“Too bad.” He stepped closer. “I would have liked to have helped you find yourself, Nikki.”

“That’s sweet, Robbie. But I already told you I’m the weed killer of relationships.”

“That’s OK. I’m not much of a gardener anyway.” He gave her a hug. “Give me a call now and then so I know you’re still alive and kicking.”

“I’ll do that.”

He left. Robbie really was a good guy. Why wasn’t that enough? She knew the answer. It wouldn’t be fair to him or any other man. Her heart belonged to Lucas, now and forever. And even though they would never be together, that fact wasn’t going to change.

She turned on the TV that she hadn’t packed yet. She surfed until she found one of the news channels. The well-known blonde newswoman smiled. “And this is why that story is even more important, especially for the citizens of North Carolina. Breaking news. This just in.”

Lucas flashed on the screen behind a podium. “I’m resigning from the US House of Representatives immediately as well as removing my name from the ballot for US Senate immediately. In light of recent events in my life, I don’t feel it would be in the best interests of the good people of North Carolina for me to continue…”

She stared, not believing it as he introduced the woman who would finish out his term.

Her door tinkled once again.

She turned.

Lucas stood there.

Her heart flip-flopped. “I…I can’t believe you resigned and pulled out of the election.”

He shrugged and gave her that gorgeous smile. “You said you couldn’t be a politician’s wife, so…I’m not a politician anymore.”

Her heart thumped.

She’d been so sure he was hurt and angry. That he never wanted to talk to her again. And yet here he was. He walked closer, his soft blue eyes focused only on her.

Lucas reached out and put his hand in hers.

She wasn’t sure if she could breathe.

He knelt down on one knee in front of her. “So, how about it? Will you marry me?”

She stared down at him. “You gave up your life’s work for me. I can’t let you do that. It was your life’s dream.”

“No, it was my daddy’s dream. Not mine.” He grinned. “And besides, you can’t stop me. I already did it, but just to clarify, I gave up being a senator for me. I’m tired of politics. Tired of everything I say or do being examined. I don’t want to be under that microscope anymore.”

“I…I don’t know what to say.”

“Say that you’ll marry me. I love you. I want to grow old with you. Sit in a rocking chair on our flower farm and hold hands with you as we watch the sunset. Don’t make me ask you again. Oh, well, I’ll ask again and again until you give me the right answer. Will you—”

“You don’t have to ask again.” She knelt down to him and threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“’Bout time.”

Their lips met.

When they separated, she smiled. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. How about you?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

They kissed again.

He motioned at the boxes. “What’s going on here?”

“I’m quitting the PI business. Did you know it was dangerous? A person could get shot.”

“I heard that could happen.” He stood up and pulled her up with him. “So, what do we do now that we’re both unemployed?”

“Who knows?” Nikki touched his cheek. “We can do anything we want as long as it’s what God wants. What do you have in mind?”

“Maybe a flower farm?”

“Maybe, or maybe not. We’ll have to think about that one for a while to see who can come up with the best idea.”

He leaned in and kissed her again.

This was something she could get used to.

Those soft blue eyes the color of a North Carolina sky twinkled. “Game on!”