She smiled softly then swallowed hard as she held his gaze.
“I care about you, too.”
They held one another’s gaze and then he whispered to her, “I’ve always cared for you, Sarah. Before Eric, during the years as the kids grew up around us. I should have told you then how I felt.”
She shook her head as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“I had no idea. I felt it, too. I cared for you, too, but thought, oh, I don’t know what I thought. I was stupid. So stupid.”
He pulled her hand up toward his lips as he shook his head.
“Not stupid. You’re a good woman. You see things through. Forget about the past. Forget about Eric.” He kissed her knuckles and she felt her heart leap with joy and perhaps hope that there was still something between the two of them they could save.
“I wish.”
“Shh,” he told her then pulled her closer.
“Come here, sweet Sarah.”
She slowly leaned toward him and his firm lips, his bruised face and felt his hand caress up her arm, to her shoulder then neck.
“I’ve always loved you, Sarah. It’s our time now. Our time.”
The tear rolled down her cheek as he pulled her closer and kissed her softly.
I love you, too, Donald.
Epilogue
The house was filled with family and friends. It was just what everyone needed. Grace watched as Donald sat on the rocking chair sipping some ice tea enjoying a friendly argument with Sarah about the better way to season steaks before cooking them on the grill. Frank was adding his comments, contributing fuel to the fire. Aunt Betsy was talking to Jamie and Tod about an old family heirloom she wanted them to have for their new home. They had sold their old place and moved to a newer, larger house a few blocks away. Jamie didn’t feel she could live in the same house where she was almost killed.
Grace couldn’t believe six months had passed. She held off on her photography career to help Sarah with her political campaign. Sarah was running for town mayor and had a really good shot at the position. The whole town agreed she would be perfect for the job.
She looked out across the open land and thought about her weekly visits to Clara’s gravesite. The first time was the most difficult, but as she made each trip there, it became easier. She was finally at peace knowing that Clara’s killer was not just identified, but dead. She had closure now, and felt that life could only get better from here on out.
Then she felt the twinge of regret and sadness in her heart.
Grace hadn’t heard from Sandman, Duke, or Big Jay in weeks. She knew that Sandman had been busy going over the aspects of the case as well as receiving another job. They spoke on the phone a few times and Sandman expressed his upset with her for leaving the way she did. He told her if a relationship was going to continue between them, then she needed to be less independent. He wanted to take care of her, share the responsibilities with her, or a relationship just wouldn’t work.
He explained that a ménage relationship was complicated enough and that he and his brothers wanted her to trust them equally and fully. By taking off the way she did and scaring the crap out of them, she betrayed that trust and the fear of losing her was too much. She knew he was angry, but then Duke and Big Jay called. They forgave her, but expressed similar concerns and wanted to give her time to think about how serious she was about a ménage relationship with the three of them. Duke explained that Sandman was stubborn and had really closed up his heart after experiencing some awful things in his life. She had made a difference and they felt that she completed them.
She knew they were right and she loved them for their honesty and for confronting her, challenging her to change, wanting her to need them. They were military men. They were strong-willed leaders, dominant and experienced men who wanted to protect their woman. She knew that was all they wanted. For her to need them to trust them and allow them to take care of her.
Everyone was laughing, enjoying one another’s company at the house, and her brother Frank walked by, giving her a kiss on the cheek and a huge smile. John, Sarah, Peter, the whole family acted the same around her, around each other, taking every opportunity to say “I love you” or just show some kind of affection. They would never take one another for granted. They knew that life was precious and time went by too quickly to have regrets.
She smiled as she enjoyed watching her family looking so happy as more relatives arrived. It was a Thompson celebration and the backyard was filling up with family. The children were playing tag and Frank was trying to gather them together for a picture. Grace walked around to the side of the house. She leaned against the porch railing absorbing all the wonderful sounds of laughter, joy, and happiness from her family. They were all smiling, celebrating, and enjoying the party. Grace reached up and touched the flowering pink-and-purple potted planter that hung from one of the high porch beams. Sarah had the wraparound porch decorated with the hanging planters. It was so country, so pretty to look at.
Suddenly she felt someone behind her, a strong arm instantly around her waist then a bouquet of wild flowers appear in front of her. She knew instantly it was Duke, as she absorbed his cologne. She inhaled deeply as she leaned back against his chest. Once again one of her men snuck up on her without her knowing.
“How do you do that?” she asked, sounding a little annoyed yet smiling.
“It involves special training. If you’re good maybe I’ll teach you,” he teased her as he turned her toward him.
Duke touched her cheek then took her face between his hands. She spotted Big Jay standing next to him, arms crossed and appearing angry.
“I’ve missed you.” Duke whispered to her as he stared into her beautiful hazel-green eyes.
“I missed you, too,” she replied and he kissed her softly on the lips. She heard Big Jay clear his throat and Duke released her lips then touched foreheads with her. “I love you, baby, and I want you back.”