“That is one plan I refuse to make.” Her eyes glittered beneath a sheen of tears. “Iwon’tlet you die, Felix.”
“I wouldn’t dream of fighting you on it. Stubborn woman.”
Her chin lifted, but her lips softened. “I am stubborn. A valuable character trait. Remember that.”
He tried to laugh, found his throat too raw for it. He didn’t mind. Nothing could hurt him now. Not even looking into the windows of Hawthorne. They used to be filled with ghosts, but they were empty now, and he… didn’t want them to burn. He wanted her to fill them up with happiness. And hope. And with that thing Caroline did best:love.
Epilogue
One Year Later
From the cornerof her eye Caroline spotted it—a small shoot of bright green with a chubby leaf glowing in the sun. With a gasp she flew to it, sinking to the soil, her skirts puffing up with air.
“Oh, hello, you. Aren’t you beautiful?”
Sun poured through the conservatory windows, igniting the rich scent of the new soil. Perfection. And it had only taken a year and three months.
“Caro!” Chloe called from somewhere far away. “Caro!” Again, closer this time. “Are you in here?” Chloe’s voice from somewhere behind Caro.
“Yes, I’m here. Come see!” Pink skirts stopped just at Caroline’s shoulder. “First new growth.”
“Growth of what?” Chloe asked.
“I haven’t a clue,” Caroline admitted. “But it doesn’t matter. What matters is… we’re done. The house is complete.”
Burnt conservatory replaced, questionable structural issues addressed, lawns rolling and serene, garden a riot of summer blooms. The house had become a home. It was ready.Hawthorne seemed to know it, glowing in anticipation of its purpose.
Caroline glowed, too. Yet… she’d not expected another feeling. Her legs itched to move, her arms to do. Just as Hawthorne was ready to settle into peaceful usefulness.
“Far from done,” Chloe said. “I think we’re only beginning.”
Caroline rose, brushing the dirt from her skirts. “Yes. Have you discussed my idea with Garrett?”
“I have. He’s rather eager to begin. In fact”—Chloe chuckled—“I think you should see what’s happening in the parlor.”
“Oh?” Chloe made for the door with a wide grin, and Caroline followed her into the hallway. “What is it? You know I dislike surprises.”
“Well then, answer me this. What has four legs, two heads, but only one brain?”
“I’ve not heard of that one.” She tried to puzzle it out for a moment. “I’ve nothing. What is it?”
“Our husbands.”
Alarm quickened Caroline’s pace. When she reached the parlor, Garrett and Felix sat at opposing ends of a table, cards stretched between them and held in their large hands. Grandfather snored in a large wingback chair in the corner of the room, boots propped onto an ottoman.
Beneath the table, Felix had stretched one, long leg. Anger raged red across his face, and his hair stuck up in every direction.
“What is all this?” Caroline asked.
“He’s a cheat and trickster,” Felix growled.
“I didn’t cheat.” Garrett slapped his cards on the table, flattened his palms over them, and leaned toward Felix. He flashed a wicked grin. “But I might have tricked you a smidgeon. You should not have agreed to the terms without knowing the full stakes.”
“Which were?” Caroline demanded.
“Unknown until game’s end.” Garrett gestured over the table, sinking back into his chair. “He writes on a bit of paper what he gets if he wins. And I write on a bit of paper what I get if I win. There they are. And I won.”
“Don’t worry, Caro,” Felix said, “We’re playing another hand. I’ll win it back, I swear. If I’d had any idea what trick he planned to pull, I’d not have wagered an ale at the pub. Frankly, I do not think he’ll hold me to it.”
