It had been two days since LeAnn had talked to Amelia, and the snow had finally stopped. Matt wasn’t happy that LeAnn was going to the island, but he said he would send a couple of maintenance guys over to shovel her pier.
LeAnn called Amelia and said she would take her to the island the next day if she still wanted to go. Of course, to LeAnn’s dismay, she still wanted to go.
The next morning Matt and LeAnn sat in his condo having breakfast. She had made them French toast. He took a sip of his coffee and then looking up at her and taking her hand said, “LeAnn, we have got to get your boat out of the lake into storage soon.”
The lake had not froze over yet and usually didn’t until November. It was still October, so LeAnn felt she had time before she needed to store her boat. Then she would use her skis or snowmobile to get across.
“I know, but the lake isn’t frozen yet, and I still need to take Amelia to the island,” she said.
They were quiet for awhile, Then he added, “Are you sure you want to take this old woman to the boathouse? I have to be honest, I’m not real happy you’re doing this. I think I should take both of you out there.”
She smiled at him. “I’m not that crazy about doing this either, but I feel so responsible for upsetting Amelia’s life. If it hadn’t been for me she would never have the letters from Jonathan, not to mention the letter from Phoebe. What a shock and pain it must have been.”
“Do you have any idea why she wants to go to the island?” He asked.
“She wants to go to the ballroom,” LeAnn answered.
“The ballroom? LeAnn no! That’s where you and Hannah….”
“I know,” LeAnn interrupted, “But, Matt, look at the pain I’ve caused. I have to take her.”
Matt did not reply right away. Finally he said, “Okay, I trust you, LeAnn. Just promise to take your phone with you. I’m going to wait for your call. I will be there in five minutes if you need me. Understand?”
“I understand, and I love you.” She reached over to kiss him.
They finished their breakfast, and while she was loading the dishwasher, he came over and announced he needed to get to work. “So, when are you going to do this?”
“I’m going to call her as soon as I finish cleaning up the kitchen. Today the temperature is suppose to be fifty degrees, so I want to get this over with.”
Matt sighed heavily. “I can’t talk you out of this? You really won’t let me take the two of you over there?”
“No, Matt. I have to do this. If nothing else, maybe I can solve whatever is going on out there on the island, and I can go back home.”
“Don’t you want to stay with me? Has it really been that awful?” He smiled sheepishly.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him, “I love being with you, but Matt, I have a dream, and that dream has been stolen from me by whatever is in the ballroom. Can’t you understand that?”
He saw the look on her face and realized how selfish he sounded. He loved her so much that he knew he had to let her do this. He was scared for her, scared of losing her, scared for her safety. “Fine, but you better not let anything happen to you. Do you understand? You are very important to me, and I do not want to risk losing you to anyone not even a damn ghost.”
She smiled at him lovingly. “You’re not going to lose me. You’re stuck with me for as long as you want me.”
“Forever.”
They kissed.
She broke their embrace. “Now go to work, and let me get this woman’s request over with.”
He looked at her and nodded, then reluctantly walked toward the door. He opened it and then said, “You’ll call, right?”
“Yes. Now out!” She flicked the dish towel at him laughing.
Twenty minutes later LeAnn carried a cup of coffee and her cell phone and sat on the couch in the living room. She looked out at the lake and saw it was a beautiful day. “Okay, LeAnn, take a deep breath and make the call. She’s just a harmless old lady.”
She dialed Amelia’s number. “Amelia, it’s LeAnn.”
Amelia sounded like she had been waiting by the phone for this call. “LeAnn, yes, can we go today?” she anxiously asked.
LeAnn should not have been surprised there were no pleasantries. “Yes, Amelia, we can go whenever you’re ready.”
“Now! I want to go now! I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Where do you want to meet?”
“How about the lobby?”
“Good. See you in half an hour.” Amelia hung up abruptly.
“What have I got myself into?” LeAnn said out loud. Pulling a heavy sweater over her turtleneck, she went to the kitchen to turn off the coffee maker and look for her purse. Making sure she had the keys, she grabbed her jacket and left the condo. She decided, even though Amelia wouldn’t be there for awhile, to go to the lobby. LeAnn hoped she would see Matt before Amelia got there.
LeAnn walked across the parking lot to the lobby. The day was beautiful but brisk. Not a cloud in the sky. She was right to pick this day to take Amelia to the island.
LeAnn didn’t see Matt in the lobby, but she did see Margaret Weston behind the registration desk. “Good morning, Mrs. Weston. Not in the kitchen this morning?”
Margaret looked up from the bills she was sorting. “LeAnn, hi! What are you doing here?”
LeAnn hesitated before answering, “Well, to be honest, I’m meeting Amelia Tabor here.”
Not wanting to meddle, Margaret said carefully, “Oh, I see.” She didn’t say anything else.
“Mrs. Weston, it’s sort of a long story, and I would tell you if I had the time, but I don’t. She’s on her way.”
Margaret gave her a motherly smile. “LeAnn, honey, it’s your business, and after all, you did buy her island and house.”
Actually, LeAnn wanted to tell Matt’s mother, but she really didn’t have time. She missed having her own mother to confide in and thought that she could really depend on Matt’s mother. “I promise, when this is all over, I will talk to you and explain everything. I want to, honest.”
Margaret just gave LeAnn another motherly smile. “Just be careful.”
The lobby door opened. In walked a breathless Amelia Tabor. LeAnn noticed she was carrying something.
She spotted LeAnn and ran over to her. “Ready to go?” Amelia asked, a little out of breath. Amelia didn’t give LeAnn a chance to answer. She walked briskly to the back door leading to the pier.
“Yes Amelia. I’m ready.” LeAnn turned to look at Matt’s mother, with a frown.
Margaret was alarmed to see how out of breath and anxious Amelia was. She gave LeAnn a look of warning.
“Mrs. Weston, please tell Matt I’m taking Miss Tabor to the island and I have my phone in case we have a problem with the boat or ice.” LeAnn shook her head, warning Margaret not to say anything.
Margaret picked up on LeAnn giving her a coded message for Matt. She could tell LeAnn was very nervous about taking Amelia to the island.
Amelia was already out the back door to the pier. For a woman in her eighties, she sure moved fast.
They reached the pier and saw LeAnn’s boat was ready. Matt was standing there, holding the rope. LeAnn smiled, relieved to see him.
“Hello, ladies,” he said with his professional resort smile.
Amelia looked at him suspiciously, “Who are you?
“I’m Matt Weston, Miss Tabor.”
“Ben’s son?” she asked, frowning.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said very politely. “May I help you into the boat?”
Amelia looked at Matt, and then held out her hand to let this stranger help her into LeAnn’s boat. LeAnn noticed the bracelet dangling from Amelia’s thin wrist.
“All right, ladies,” he said, “I will be accompanying you, just in case you have any problems on the island.”
“No!” Amelia shouted. “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to sound so rude.” In a calmer voice, she continued. “I don’t think that will be necessary, but thank you anyway, young man.” She glared at LeAnn.
“Matt, thank you, but I’m sure we’ll be fine,” LeAnn looked back at Amelia, who gave her an approving nodded. Now LeAnn was becoming frightened. Why did this woman want only the two of them on the island?
“I have my cell phone if we need anything. Thank you.” LeAnn looked at Matt with a look that said, “Stay by your phone!” She climbed into the boat with Amelia and saw that Matt had put a couple of blankets in there to keep them warm on the short trip, just in case they needed them. LeAnn smiled at Matt.
Matt reluctantly handed the rope to LeAnn, and she started the motor. Amelia was already staring at the island holding what looked like a picture frame close to her chest.
LeAnn guided her boat toward the island—her island that she had not been to in almost five days. She looked back at Amelia and saw that she had a look of great anticipation on her face. LeAnn figured it was because she hadn’t been on the island in over twenty-five years.
As they got closer to the island, LeAnn smiled. Matt had hired someone to shovel the temporary pier and the main pier. The porch and path would probably be shoveled too, she thought. She reached for the door remote and opened the large doors of the boathouse.
Amelia gasped as LeAnn slowly guided the boat into the boathouse. She had forgotten how huge the boathouse was.
LeAnn secured the boat in the boathouse and then helped Amelia out of the boat and onto the dock.
Amelia walked briskly to the side door that led to the staircase to the ballroom. She immediately ran up the stairs as if she were running a marathon. LeAnn watched her climb the stairs in amazement.
“Boy, I hope I’m in her shape in my eighties!” LeAnn thought as she watched her go up.
Amelia stopped at the top and stared at the door. She slowly reached her hand out to gently touch the carvings. LeAnn caught up to her.
“Did you know my grandfather made this door?” she asked LeAnn not looking at her.
“No, I didn’t,” LeAnn answered.
“Yes.” Amelia smiled, a far away look in her eyes. “He was a master woodcarver. My mother was his only child, and her favorite flower was the rose. That was his signature carving, roses. He did carvings for everyone in the surrounding area. They were very close just like Pa—She stopped in the middle of word Papa. She was remembering how her father and she had never spoken again after Jonathan’s death.
LeAnn asked, “The floor mirror I found in the attic?”
Amelia nodded, “Yes, he did that and several doors, dressers, and vanities. Anything made of wood. People from all over hired him. Cable, Hayward, Siren, and Spooner. Those were just some of the towns in Wisconsin, but he also was hired in many cities in Minnesota.”
All of a sudden, LeAnn remembered the carved door at the Armstrong house, but she didn’t dare say anything.
Amelia opened the unlocked door and walked into the ballroom.
LeAnn closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing. She was afraid she was going to have an anxiety attack as she stepped into the ballroom.
Inside the ballroom, Amelia’s eyes darted around as if looking for something or someone. Then out of nowhere, she said, “Jonathan, are you here?”
LeAnn stopped dead in her tracks when she heard Amelia’s words.
“Jonathan, I’m here, my love. I miss and love you. Are you here?” Amelia called out.
Amelia was looking around the room, holding the object she had brought.
LeAnn got up the nerve and asked, “Amelia, what are you holding?”
Amelia turned to look at her, “Do you know how beautiful the balls were here? My Mommy worked so hard on them. We all dressed in beautiful long white gowns. We looked like princesses and the men were our prince charming.” She looked down at what LeAnn could see was a framed photo.
“Can I see your prince charming?” LeAnn asked, playing along with the fantasy. She was frightened that this old woman was surely going to flip out on her. She had gone through it with Phoebe, she couldn’t do it with Amelia too.
“Why, of course! Here.” Amelia held out the framed photograph proudly to LeAnn.
LeAnn took it gently and looked at the beautiful couple. It was Amelia and her prince charming, Jonathan. He was definitely a beautiful man. Not just handsome, beautiful, just as she called him in her journal: my beautiful Jonathan. Amelia was wearing one of the dresses that LeAnn had found in the trunk. It gave the appearance of being strapless, but LeAnn remembered there was a thin strap of rhinestones that went from above her right breast up and over her left shoulder. It was fitted at her tiny waist and went straight down to the floor.
“You’re a beautiful couple,” LeAnn said as she handed Amelia the photo back.
“We were, until that bitch took it away from us.” Amelia took her picture back and turned to look at the room again, reminiscing. “That’s where I first saw him,” she said pointing to the back of the ballroom. “And over there is the doorway where he took me outside and kissed me for the first time,” she said, walking over to the doors to the left.
LeAnn watched her closely and saw that mentally she was back in time.
“Jonathan, are you here?” Amelia paused to listen for a response.
LeAnn couldn’t believe Amelia was calling out to Jonathan as if he would walk out any minute.
“Jonathan, my love, I’m here. Please come out.”
LeAnn became more frightened by the minute watching Amelia.
“Jonathan, I said I would come.” Amelia continued looking around the room.
What in the world is she talking about? LeAnn wondered, watching Amelia. Then…. “Oh no!” LeAnn whispered to herself, “Please, no more.” The music was very soft, but LeAnn heard it. “Amelia, stop it!” LeAnn shouted at her.
Amelia turned to LeAnn with an evil smile. “That’s our song.”
LeAnn looked at Amelia, “Are you telling me it’s Jonathan who’s haunting this boathouse?”
“He’s waiting for me like I asked him to.
LeAnn just stared at her, speechless.
Amelia turned back to the stage. “Jonathan, my love. Where are you?”
“Amelia, stop it this instant!” LeAnn was terrified the black mist was going to show up again. Remembering being locked in, she ran to the door. She immediately took off her coat and put it between the door and the door jam. If the door slammed again, it wouldn’t be able to close and lock her in.
Amelia laughed when she saw what LeAnn was doing. “Jonathan, they took everything away from us, but we’ll fool them, won’t we, my darling? We’ll be together for all of eternity. Come dance with me, my love. Remember, Your Heart Belongs to My Heart.” Amelia spoke dreamily toward the stage.
LeAnn knew that was the name of their song. Then, gasping in horror, she saw the white mist on the stage. It was very slight, but there all the same. The music gradually grew louder and louder as LeAnn’s heart was beat faster and faster!
“That bitch can’t hurt you ever again!” Amelia said to the mist.
“Amelia, you’re talking about a poor dead crippled woman! I know you two were lovers, but she was his wife!”
Amelia spun toward LeAnn so fast, LeAnn put her hands up to her face, thinking she was about to be punched.”
“Really?” Amelia glared at LeAnn with such hatred that the hairs on the back of LeAnn’s neck raised. Amelia then shouted, “You read this! Then tell me what a poor crippled woman she was!” Amelia was shoving something white in her face, yelling. LeAnn recognized the open envelope she had delivered to Amelia. “Read it!” Amelia’s face was red as she thrust the letter into LeAnn’s hands. LeAnn was afraid to move or speak but took the envelope from a crazed Amelia. Slowly she took the letter from the envelope and began to read it.
Dear Amelia,
If you are reading this then I’m dead and buried.
I just needed you to know that Jonathan and I had been very happy before you came along. I knew that I had lost him when I saw how he looked at you the first time he saw you. I loved my husband, Amelia; in fact, I loved him the way he loved you. I only needed him to love me a little; I had enough love for the both of us.
I knew he was seeing you and he was drifting away from me. I refused to let him go, so I told him I was going to have his child. Of course, it was a lie, but I had to do something to keep him from breaking up with me. Being the gracious man he was, he did what was right and married me. I then had the “miscarriage.” Now that we were married I could get pregnant for real. After a few months, he said he wanted a divorce. He said he didn’t love me, and since there was no child, he couldn’t see why we should stay married any longer. I told him I would never give him a divorce. He became extremely angry and stormed out of the house.
The night of the accident, I told him we would be going to the ball together since we were husband and wife. I did not want people to know of our problems especially, since most of the guests were clients of my father. Your father’s too, Amelia.
We went to the ball, and I saw the way he looked at you. I saw the two of you together a couple of times. Jonathan was drinking way too much, and I wanted to leave. My father was extremely angry with him and told me I had to get my husband home where he belonged, that he was an embarrassment. I finally got Jonathan out to a valet boat and then to our car. On the way home, we had a horrible fight. He told me he was madly in love with you, that he was going to leave me and didn’t care what I did. He said he didn’t care what my father thought either. He wanted to be with you and not me.
I told him I would never give him up! That I’d rather have him dead than let him be with you! I grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it. He fought me, but I gave a hard jerk, and the car went off the road. We were both thrown from the car. He only had a couple of broken ribs and cuts. I, on the other hand, couldn’t walk.
My father hated Jonathan, and blamed him for the accident. Jonathan was so drunk he didn’t remember that I had grabbed the wheel and was the one who had caused the accident. He felt totally responsible for the accident. Yes, Amelia, I wanted him even if he only stayed with me out of guilt.
LeAnn looked up from reading the letter totally, stunned. Amelia was waltzing around the room, humming along with the loud music. The mist was still on the stage but very slight. LeAnn went back to reading the letter, shocked at it’s contents.
My father paid thousands of dollars to several doctors who tried to help me walk again. My Father heard of a specialist in spinal cord injuries who lived in Germany and took me there. I’m sure you remember that, don’t you? When we got back, I told everyone I was through being poked at, that there were going to be no more doctors and examinations. Jonathan was the perfect, caring husband. He moved me to Hayward from Minnesota so that I could be closer to my friends and family. My father and mother also moved to be nearer to me, because Jonathan had to travel back and forth to keep the banks operational.
Everything was going wonderfully, but then on one of his visits he ran into you! Beautiful, perfect Amelia Tabor! I so hated you! I thought Jonathan had gotten over you after the accident, but no, he loved you still. Maybe even more.
You two weren’t very discreet. Well, maybe in the beginning. And people did say that they thought you were very sweet to be so concerned over the poor husband whose wife was an invalid. But then there was the hand holding, the trips to the park, and stolen kisses. I’ll bet you didn’t know that I knew, did you? Maybe deep down you two wanted to be seen.
Jonathan then started coming home less and less, and then took a room at the hotel. Oh, he was still wonderful in making sure that I had all the nurses and care I needed, but I didn’t have him….again, thanks to you! You didn’t think I would hear about the scene in the lobby of the hotel when your father caught you with Jonathan, did you? Oh my, yes, Amelia! My so-called friends couldn’t wait to tell me!
The night of your ball, the ball where Jonathan was killed, he came to tell me that he was leaving me and that he didn’t need a divorce. He said he didn’t love me and wasn’t going live a lie any longer. He would make sure I always had the things I needed but that we were through.
I couldn’t believe my ears and decided I needed to do something.
I knew there was a canoe behind the maintenance building at Ridgewood’s. I put on black clothing, went to Ridgewood’s, got in the canoe and paddled across the lake to the back side of the island.
Oh yes, I guess I forgot to mention, the surgery in Germany was successful. But I knew that if I let anyone know I would lose Jonathan. So I pretended the surgery had not worked. It was a huge sacrifice to not walk again in public, but I would do anything to keep Jonathan from you!
I tied the boat to a tree and walked through the woods. I stayed in the trees and crept closer to the boathouse. I saw all the lanterns, flowers. I heard the music and laughter. I could see the boathouse and the ballroom all lit up. How I wished I could have been up there dancing with my husband.
I heard some speaking angrily at each other as I got closer to the main house. I didn’t want to be seen, so I crouched low. I saw my father, Jonathan, and your father arguing. My father had his finger in Jonathan’s face, and all I could hear was, “Kill you.” And then I heard my name and your name. Jonathan yelled “no” and stormed off toward the boathouse. Then my father turned to your father. Again, I heard your name, and the two continued to argue. After a few minutes, they walked off separately to the boathouse. I waited a while before going any farther in the bushes.
I didn’t have to wait very long to see what I had come to see. You and Jonathan were outside on the ballroom walkway. It was almost midnight, and I knew the other guests would be heading for the pier and front lawn to watch the fireworks.
Jonathan had just said something to you, and you said, “No, Jonathan, it’s not right”. He grabbed you and kissed you. I assumed he had just told you he was leaving me. You kissed him back. Then I heard your father yelling at the two of you and saw him grab you by the arm. I heard him tell Jonathan to stay away from you.
You were crying “No, Papa! No! I love him!” How very touching, Amelia.
I heard Jonathan begging your father to please listen to him. Your father told you that you were to go down with the other guests where the fireworks were about to begin.
You turned and ran from the walkway while your father came back to face Jonathan. I really couldn’t hear what he said, but I did hear something about his job, and my father’s name was mentioned. Jonathan tried to speak, but Mr. Tabor wouldn’t listen, he walked away.
Jonathan hung his head and looked out toward the lake. The first fireworks went off, and I could see you on the lawn crying with your father by your side.
The fireworks were extremely loud, and I saw my opportunity. I pulled out the gun my father had given me and had taught me to shoot. I moved a little closer to get a better shot. When he turned toward the woods and as the fireworks went off, I shot my husband in the heart, twice.
You see, Amelia, if I couldn’t have him no one could, especially not you!
I went back to the canoe, threw the gun in the lake, and went back home to wait for the call that my husband had been murdered.
Only two people knew my secret of being able to walk: Virginia Thomas and her mother. It cost me a small fortune to keep them from telling anyone and to “take care of me”, but it was necessary that no one find out I could walk.
No one ever knew that I shot and killed Jonathan. Well, not until now.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jonathan Armstrong
LeAnn could not believe what she had just read. She looked up at Amelia who was watching her.
“Still think she was a poor old crippled lady?” Amelia said with a nasty smirk.
Softly, LeAnn responded, “I don’t know what to say.”
“I never spoke again to my papa after Jonathan’s death. I hated my father, I hated Phoebe, I hated everyone! My father started to travel a lot after he was cleared of Jonathan’s murder. I stayed here on the island for as long as I could stand it. I went to the boathouse and into this room every day after my Jonathan died, and spoke to him. I begged him to wait for me. Not to ever leave me. To wait until we could be together again.” Smiling, Amelia looked at the white mist circling on the stage. “And he did. Look, he did wait.” she said, pointing towards the stage.
LeAnn again noticed the beautiful bracelet dangling from Amelia’s dainty wrist.
“My father died years later, and he left me extremely wealthy. And, thanks to you giving me the ledgers, I now know that he and Phoebe’s father were in business together and were making a fortune. No wonder my papa wasn’t supportive of me. His partner’s daughter was married to the man I loved. My father wasn’t going to jeopardize his wealth—not even for me, his loving daughter. I tried to stay here as long as I could, but I needed to leave. I bought the little house you saw and left this place forever. But I knew that someday it would be time to come back—to come back and be with my beautiful Jonathan. And that time is now!”
LeAnn looked at the stage. The music was getting louder still.
“That witch of a wife took his life away! Took my life away! She couldn’t stop our love, though, no matter what. Jonathan and I will always be together!”
All of a sudden Amelia started to yell, scaring LeAnn. “That bitch could walk! Damn her, she could walk. She fooled everyone. They all pitied her and hated me and Jonathan. Jonathan was blamed for the accident, but she had caused it! That damn bitch caused the accident, and my beautiful Jonathan thought he had. The whole town did. Did you hear that Jonathan, my love? You didn’t cause the accident. She did!”
There was an agonizing howl on the stage. LeAnn saw the mist growing large and dark. The angrier Amelia got, so did the mist!
“Amelia, there is nothing you can do about it now, Jonathan is dead and so is she! What she did was wrong, so very, very wrong, but you can’t change it now!”
As LeAnn was speaking, the mist began to swirl and the wind started.
“See, LeAnn, he’s angry! He knows he didn’t have to die. All she had to do was let him go. She trapped him into marriage with a phony pregnancy and then pretended a miscarriage. She caused the accident and everyone blamed him. He blamed himself!” Tears coming from crazed eyes streamed down Amelia’s face.
Larger and larger the mist grew on stage. LeAnn heard a low moan. The mist started to swirl, just as it had before. LeAnn felt a breeze across her face; the wind was starting up again, just like it did when she and Hannah were trapped! LeAnn put her hands over her face.
Amelia kept talking, only yelling now. “Then after he told me he was going to leave her and be with me, she shot him! She shot and killed the man I loved! She killed my beautiful Jonathan!” Amelia’s attention turned back to the stage.
“Jonathan! Dance with me, my love, dance with me. Your Heart Belongs to My Heart. Remember? Do you hear the music? Dance with me!”
The mist started to get a little lighter, but the swirling didn’t slow.
LeAnn had to get out of there. She inched her way toward the door. She was not going to get trapped again. She grabbed her coat and pushed the door the rest of the way open. Before running down the stairs, she turned to look in the ballroom again. Amelia was looking up at the swirling mist. The wind was blowing, and the mist was now over Amelia. She had a large welcoming smile on her face as the mist completely covered her. She wasn’t afraid.
The music was loud but actually beautiful.
Then LeAnn saw something she would never be able to explain. She saw him! The mist actually became Jonathan. LeAnn saw the handsome man in the photo Amelia was holding. He was dressed in a white dinner jacket, black tuxedo slacks, and black bow tie. He reached out for Amelia, and suddenly Amelia was twenty years old again, dressed in a white gown and in his arms. Amelia was once again dancing with her Jonathan.
LeAnn ran down the stairs and onto the lawn. She reached into her pocket for her cell phone to call Matt. She looked down towards the pier and saw that Matt was already there. He was just getting out of his boat. LeAnn ran to him and clung to him like her life depended on him.
“I got worried. You’ve been gone so long. Are you all right?” He held her shaking body tightly.
“I’m fine now that you’re here,” she said, sobbing.
“Where’s Amelia?” He asked, still not letting her go.
“She’s still in the ballroom!”
Just as she said the word ballroom, they both heard the upper door slam shut with a loud bang.
Matt and LeAnn looked at each other. LeAnn was afraid to go back to the boathouse, but she knew they had to see if Amelia was all right. When they reached the ballroom door, they hesitated. Matt reached for the doorknob.
LeAnn panicked. “Wait, we have to prop the door with something. She picked up her jacket from the stair landing, and held it so that she could use it as a door stop again. She nodded to Matt to go ahead and open the door.
He slowly turned the knob, half expecting it to be locked. It turned easily in his hand. Matt opened the door, and LeAnn gasped. Amelia was lying on the floor with her picture next to her.
LeAnn ran over to Amelia’s body, forgetting all about propping the door. “Oh God, no, please, no!” She felt for a pulse on the wrist with the beautiful bracelet dangling on it. As she feared, there was none. “Oh, Matt, what have I done? Amelia, I’m so sorry!” LeAnn started sobbing. The sadness of the two women’s death swept over her.
Matt had his cell phone out and was calling Dr. Lyons. He bent down next to LeAnn and said, “Honey, it’s not your fault. She was old and probably had a heart attack.”
“I should never have bought the island. I should have stayed in Denver and never come here. She and Phoebe would still be alive and better off not knowing all of the secrets I uncovered!” LeAnn cried harder.
Very lovingly Matt said, “And we would never have fallen in love.”
LeAnn looked up with the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Oh Matt! I do so love you!”
“And I love you. I would hate to think what my life would have been like without you in it.” He smiled gently at her. “Now stop crying. We’ll stay here with Amelia until Dr. Lyons gets here.”
LeAnn took a deep breath and nodded her head yes. She continued to cry.