Alecstood and extended a hand to my ex-husband. “Aye, and I'm still grateful to ye,forgivin' me the information. It was appreciated.”
“Noproblem at all,” Tom replied, as the two men shook hands. Then, he put a handon TJ's shoulder and said, “Come on, let's go find Grandma and Grandpa and letthem know Inspector Brodie is here.”
“But…why?” TJ asked, shaking his head through a bewildered stupor. “Why areyou here?”
“Topay my respects to your family,” Alec replied simply, turning his hand to my son,who accepted slowly and curiously. “And to see how ye were allfairin', aftereverythin' thathappened.”
“Ididn't think we'd see you again,” TJ said, as if Alec's words had fallen ondeaf ears.
Alecnodded. “Ididnaethink so, either. But I found Icouldnaejust leave things the way they were.”
DevinO'Leary and his band began to play one of their biggest hits, “Daisies &You,” when TJ came around the table. He walked carefully over the grass, whilekeeping his intense stare on Alec. My anxiety rose higher and higher with everystep, until my son stood before themanI desperatelywished to call my own. And then, he pushed forward, until his arms were wrappedtightly around Alec's back and his cheek was pressed to his shoulder.
“Thankyou for saving my mom,” he said, as an unexpected burst of tears came forthagainst Alec's suit.
“Ah,laddie,” Alec softly replied, hugging my son backwith warmth and comfort. “I told ye, I'd doeverythin'I could to keep her safe or dietryin'.”
“I'msorry I was such a dick.”
Aleclaughed and patted TJ's shoulder. “Ye werenothin' Icouldnaehandle,” he replied, as TJ took a step back andwiped hastily at his cheeks. “But ye've been all right?”
TJnodded, sniffling. “Yeah. We're okay.” Then, with a glance in my direction, hesaid, “Well, Mom's been sad.”
“That'sto be expected,” Alec sympathized. “I just buried my father not long ago. Thattype of griefisnaesomethin'ye get beyond overnight.”
“No,”TJ said, shaking his head. “I guess not.”
“Buthavin' people around to help ye feel better helps,”Alec added.
“Yeah,Dad and I have been trying to help,but,” TJ shruggedhelplessly, “I don't know how much we really help or whatever.”
Ibit my lip, trying desperately to not cry, then said, “You do a good job.”
TJshrugged, then said, “I'mgonnago find Grandma andGrandpa, okay? You'll still be here in a few minutes?”
Alecnodded assuredly, as he lowered back into the chair beside me. “I'm notleavin' this spot right here.”
Wewere left with a nod, as my son rushed toward where his grandparents werechatting with Collin Kinney, beside one of the many collages of Gracie'spictures. Alec watched with interest, as my father wrapped his arm around TJ'sshoulders in an affectionate embrace. Then, he surveyed the large crowd ofpeople I knew and loved and made that little sound I'd grown to miss so much.
“Hm.”
“What?”
Heturned to me, as his elbows planted against the table, and studied my eyes fora moment, before asking, “Did ye mean it, when ye said ye wanted me?”
Thewind was thrust from my lungs as I nodded and said, “Yes. But—”
“Doye reckon River Canyon is a fine place to stay for a while?”
Reluctantrejoice began to slowly build within my heart as I licked my lips, and said,“Um, well, there isn’t much to do around here, but the people are nice, and thescenery is beautiful. Why? Are you interested?”
“Well,apart from a wonderful, dear friend, thereisnaemuchholdin’ me to Scotland these days.” Alec lookedbeyond the park, toward the nearby businesses and neighborhoods, and slowlynodded. “And I thought, well, maybe it’s time to take a holiday, so why not seewhat this River Canyon ye speak so highly of has to offer?”
Hisinvitation to give this a shot was laid out to me on a shining, silver platter,as he waited for my response with hopeful, expectant eyes. I hated to admitthat I hesitated, but I did, just for a moment, as I thought of all the chancesmy baby sister would never have and the life she would never get to live. Thefaintest stroke of guilt nearly tore me apart, and almost forced me to turnAlec down, but then, I heard her voice whisper to me through the clouds.
Itwasn’t a whispered threat, and it wasn’t accompanied by the image of herghastly, lifeless face. It was simply her, the gentle voice I had known fortwenty-nine remarkable years, and it said, “Go get yourself a hot Scot, Rosie.You deserve it.”
So,I nodded and said, “I think it’s a great idea.”
