The ferry to Agate Island plowed through the waters of the Pacific. Riley sat alone in a booth that looked out over the ocean, waiting for Jeremiah to join her. Though they would be home in forty minutes, he just had to have a slice of pizza. The kid was a bottomless pit of hunger. She chalked it up to a growth spurt. The month they were supposed to stay in LA had turned into three. During that time, Jeremiah seemed to have grown in height as well as in maturity. Even his voice was changing. And things had changed for the better between them. She was glad to be heading to Agate Island and the fresh start they both deserved.
“Would you mind if I sit with you?”
Riley looked up at the man who appeared at her side.
Matthew!
He looked tanned and rested. His sandy hair was a little longer, but his smile still reminded her of Chris Hemsworth’s.
“Please do.” She scooted over, giving him room beside her. “Where’s Aleksa?”
“She saw Jeremiah in the cafeteria. I think they’ve gone up front.” As he settled in the booth beside her, he leaned a large, thin package against the seat on the floor. “How did it go in LA?”
“Not well.”
“What do you mean?” His forehead furrowed with concern.
“I was looking for reasons why James and Tony became traitors to their country. In the end, it came down to the old standby—greed. Both sold their souls for money. I still can’t believe how I was fooled by people I trusted.
“I found out that Tony sent Syman to the Evergreen office to kill us there. We’re fortunate we saw him before we got out of the truck. I didn’t know what to tell Penny, Tony’s wife. What good would have come by telling her how her husband set us up at Katerina’s?” Riley didn’t wait for him to answer her rhetorical question. “Instead, I told her how he gave his life saving our kids. The woman has enough to deal with, raising a daughter on her own. How have things gone for you and your gallery?”
“It still galls me how Randolph kissed up to me, pretending that he cared. I thought of visiting him in prison so I could tell him face-to-face what a reprehensible sorry excuse of a person he was but then realized it would change nothing and be a profound waste of time.
“With Randolph gone, the gallery on Agate Island turned more into a tourist attraction instead of a serious art forum, so I closed it and moved it to Seattle. I even hired an intern to run things. There’s a lot more foot traffic in the city, and business has been booming.” As he spoke, Riley noticed a sadness about him.
“How’s Aleksa?”
“She’s good, but she’s missed Jeremiah. Talked about him all the time. Of course, you know they’ve texted each other almost every day. That’s how I knew you’d be on the ferry.” He pointed out on the deck. “Speaking of them . . . there are our two kids.”
Jeremiah and Aleksa each had a slice of pizza and were standing at the railing, chatting, eating, and laughing.
“Jeremiah and I have had some long discussions about the past. I think he understands more why I did things the way I did. I told him I was sorry that I didn’t keep in touch with him like I should have when he stayed with Dena.” Her mind tripped back to the many talks mother and son had had on the beach and at the condo the FBI had put them up in. “He’s really missed Aleksa as well. It’s good to see them together.”
“And have you forgiven yourself over James’s death?” Matthew folded his arms.
“I think so. Have you forgiven yourself for Lorraine’s?” She bit at her bottom lip.
“I think so.”
“Well, good. We’re both on the same page.” Riley flipped a strand of hair over her shoulder. “I also did some soul searching.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” She wondered if she should tell him but thought he deserved to know. “When I couldn’t keep up with you as you raced into the stables and I heard that shot go off, I prayed that He’d—” She paused a moment, wiping unexpected tears from her eyes. When she got herself under control, she continued. “I prayed God would keep our kids safe.”
“That explains a lot.” Matthew’s eyes softened with understanding.
“I thought you’d appreciate hearing that. Anyway, I know there is a God who watches over us.” There, she’d said it. She’d carried the knowledge with her for three long months, waiting to tell Matthew.
He’d grown quiet. And she wondered what he was thinking. She wouldn’t blame him if he said, “I told you so.” But he didn’t. He merely sat there looking thoughtful, then he picked up the large, thin, brown-paper-wrapped package and set it on the table. It was rectangular and a couple of inches thick. “I made this for you. Open it.”
She ripped the paper and found a portrait of her mother. She gasped and reached to touch the image. She hadn’t seen her mother’s face in years. Her long, auburn hair had been the same color as Riley’s. She sat on a familiar couch in the library of their home. And beside her was a twelve-year-old girl—Riley herself.
Tears blurred her vision. She looked up at Matthew, unable to form the words of gratitude swelling within her heart. Finally, she uttered, “How? Why?”
“I got Jeremiah to text me a picture of you and your mother. Painting it was easy. As to why? You’ve been a special agent, and you’re the deputy sheriff. I’m sure you can figure it out.” The corners of his mouth raised to a teasing grin.
She couldn’t speak. No one had ever made her such a priceless gift.
“Well, maybe not.” Matthew sighed. “Let’s see, how do I explain it?” He rubbed his chin in deep thought. His right eyebrow with the scar above crooked up like he’d found the answer. “After all the years of pain, first from your mother’s suicide, then from witnessing the death of your husband, and then from your bringing my father to justice. Add all we’ve been through catching Katerina, well, I wanted to give you something that would help you mend. Because of your mother, you’re the woman you are today, the woman I’ve fallen in love with. I don’t care if I have to wait until the kids are grown and gone; I’m going to wait for you, Riley Scott. I believe we were meant to be together. So . . . can we have a future together, like we deserve?”
Tears spilled down her face. Gaining control over her emotions again, she thought of the many discussions she and Jeremiah had had and how he even said he wanted her to be happy. Then she thought of Matthew. Maybe there was such a thing as a soul mate. And maybe he was hers. Staring into his hazel eyes, she saw her future. “Yes, Matthew. We do deserve to be together.”
Riley wrapped her arms around the man she loved and soundly kissed him.