Taking the gold necklace, he walked to the side of Annabeth’s grave and settled it on a small ledge at the base. The wind kicked up, and Elvis released a mournful howl. Finn stepped back.
“You know what occurs to me?” Finn asked.
“What’s that?”
“This whole time, I’ve been thinking I’ve been trying to help Venable find some peace, but maybe Venable’s been trying to help me do the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure exactly, but the Gingerbread House, May, the woodworking, that crazy headboard in the bedroom, everything about this town is forcing me to sort my shit, you know?”
“Like your unrest is Venable’s unrest in some way,” Charlotte said.
“Yes. That’s it.”
With cautious steps, Finn retrieved the locket. “Do you remember the one I bought you?”
Charlotte nodded. ”I got rid of it. I’m sorry.”
“If you did, it’s because I made you.” He unclasped the chain and fastened it around her neck. Finn sensed an imperceptible shift. The air cleared, a breeze kicked up. Elvis ran off into the woods.
Charlotte toyed with the square charm at the base of her neck. “I don’t know, Finn. It feels wrong to take it.”
“Does it?”
She closed her eyes, opened them, and, on a deep inhale, turned in a slow circle. When she completed the rotation, she gifted Finn with a smile. “No. It feels right,” she said and walked into his arms.
“Charlotte?”
“Hmm?”
“You sure you’re okay with everything? I mean, with Auggie? I mean, I know our situation isn’t resolved. Logistically, I mean. I mean, it obviously affects you. I mean…”
“What do you mean, Finn?” Charlotte shot him a teasing grin, echoing his repeated words.
“Throw me some rope, please,” Finn begged.
“We’re a family, Finn. All of us. You said you feel like there was a reason you ended up in Purgatory. I think Auggie is the reason.”
“Two reasons.” Finn bent down and kissed her. “Three reasons.” He placed a hand on her round belly.
Charlotte placed a hand over his heart. “A million reasons.”
“I love you,” he said.
Her face broke into a misty smile. “I love you too, Finn.”
Finn stared down at Charlotte’s beautiful face, the face of the woman who defined love. With his hand cupping her cheek, he bent toward her, their lips a whisper apart.
The sound of a throat clearing had Finn jerking back.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Sheriff Jones tipped his hat. “I was passing by and thought you might be looking for May. She’s buried in the Saponi cemetery with Lennox. I can give you directions if you want to pay your respects.” He chuckled. “Of course, knowing May, she’ll probably pop in on you first.”
“That’d be all right with me as long as she doesn’t break anything or, you know, hover over the bed,” Finn deadpanned.
The sheriff threw his head back and laughed, losing his hat in the process. “Who knew there was a sense of humor under all that intensity.” Oberon Jones looked at Charlotte, noting the locket. He smiled. “Heard you found it. Annabeth would like knowing someone was wearing it, that it meant something to someone else. Well, you all have a nice day.”
He scooped up the Stetson and came to stand beside them. “You know Venable was funny too back in the day. Used to dress up on Halloween. He was a real entertainer. They were a real happy family.”
Finn turned with the sheriff to face the graves. “I’m glad they were happy for a bit.”
The sheriff walked halfway across the churchyard then turned back. “You know Venable had a nickname with his friends.”
Finn paled. “Please don’t say it was Bud.”
The sheriff smiled, “Nah. It was Elvis.”