Chapter Thirteen
Abe used to be a big fan of the Caribbean, tropical islands, his yacht, the sea, and the sand. Not anymore. He just wanted to be back in the States holding Rachel close. Eleven long weeks without her. Half the time he wanted to just turn it all over to his private investigators and go home to her. The other half, he envisioned confronting Preston and Angel himself, pummeling his former friend and being completely impervious to his former fiancée. It was the closure and healing he needed. He thought.
He was combing a flea market in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The shopkeepers were as aggressive as anybody he’d encountered in his travels. He bought numerous trinkets to appease them then showed them the pictures of Preston and Angel and hoped for information. Nobody had anything for him. Disappointment had been his constant companion on this voyage but he still tasted it like vinegar every time.
His phone rang. Allison.
“Hey, sis.”
“Hey, you’re going to be so proud of me. I’m part of a social media campaign that’s gone absolutely viral. I’ll send you the link.”
“I’m always so proud of you.”
She gave him a throaty laugh that he’d heard drove men insane. It made him insane to think of all the men who ogled and chased his sister. He always wondered who would be the lucky man to capture her.
“Thanks. Talk to you soon. Love you.”
“Love you.” He hung up and walked from the market. There was a beach not far away that wasn’t crowded. He opened his messages and clicked on the video, drawing back in surprise when he realized it was not only Allison’s gorgeous face but Rachel’s as well on the screen. It hit him hard in the gut to see them together. His beloved sister and the woman he’d fallen in love with. He wanted to be with them. Hold them both tight.
They introduced themselves and he soaked up Rachel’s tinkling laughter, bright smile and blue eyes. Her scars were covered with her hair, but it was still so wonderful to him that she was confident enough to do a video that had … he squinted below their faces … over six million views in less than a day. Would she be okay with that? He didn’t know if Allison was doing a publicity stunt but quickly dismissed that idea as the two of them started talking about him and how he’d been framed by Angel and Preston. They showed pictures of both of the sneaky snakes and talked about a website where people could log information on sightings and help the investigators find the couple who’d not only tried to ruin Abe and McKnight Enterprises years ago, but also stolen millions over the past four years from hard-working employees on a Caribbean resort.
Then they changed tactics and Rachel shared about the explosion that damaged her left side and how she’d come to terms with her scars because of Abe’s love. Then she said words that made warm chills surface on Abe’s arms. “Flint Brooks hurt me physically and emotionally and for a while the bomb he planted made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of happiness or success because my face had been disfigured.” She slowly, deliberately pulled her hair back and revealed her cheek, chin, neck, and shoulder in a tank top style dress. “I’m asking Abe to forgive Preston Sant and Angel Falslev who both betrayed him. It’s only fair I forgive the person who hurt me.” She swallowed and said into the camera. “I forgive you Flint Brooks.” The video paused on her beautiful face for a second and Abe felt warm and cold all over.
Rachel had forgiven the perpetrator. He could easily read that in her bright blue eyes. That hit him hard. She’d forgiven the man who hurt her. Could Abe forgive Preston and Angel like she was asking? She and Allison had asked him a dozen times or more to let it go and focus on his future with Rachel. He kept thinking in his mind that his betrayal was different because Angel and Preston had been his fiancé and his friend, respectively. Flint Brooks had been trying to hurt Rachel’s brother Seth, not her. But was it really different?
“Life happens, Abe,” Rachel said. “If we can forgive and let go of the pain it will be in our past. Yes, Preston and Angel took a lot from you. Don’t let them take one more moment. Let’s work together to let your anger go so you and I can have a future.”
The video focused in on Allison and she shared a plea with the audience to please share the video and the website and to be on the lookout for Preston and Abe. Then the video zoomed in on Rachel again.
She smiled bravely and stared into the camera, but it was as if those blue eyes were focused on his soul, begging him to come to her. “Abe …” His heart thumped faster. He loved her so much. “Everyone is going to help you find Preston and Angel. It’s going to work out. Trust in the Lord and let it go. Come home to me. I love you.”
The video zoomed back out and Allison repeated the information about the website and then it ended with the website link on the screen.
Abe clutched his phone.Come home to me. I love you. He loved her so much it hurt. Could he give up his dream of being the one to catch Preston and Angel? Allison and Rachel’s website and viral video were great ideas and might be the thing that helped. People throughout the world would see the videos, turn in tips on the website. That was one thing that amazed him. No matter where he traveled, or how poor the people were, they had phones and Wi-Fi.
Maybe if he just gave the search another week or two. Abe could find Preston and Angel with the help from the website and video. It had received six million hits in less than a day, the video would definitely explode from there. Abe could be the one who caught them.
On the other hand, Rachel was asking him to come to her … now. The need for revenge burned in his chest but he understood what Rachel was saying to him. He didn’t want to give Preston and Angel one more moment and the need for Rachel competed with the anger he’d held onto for so long. He sank into the sand and muttered a prayer for help. He had no idea which direction to go.
* * *
Rachel paced the small cottage. It was on the waterfront of Lake Erie, about twelve miles from the Buffalo School of Law and four miles from Bradford International’s downtown offices. The view was great, a green expanse of lawn and the endless waters of the lake. It might be chilly in the winter but that was okay. The bungalow itself was small, only two bedrooms, but it would be cozy. If only Abe would come and make it cozy with her.
She sighed, looking out the picture window at the lake. Abe. She and Allison had made the video trying to help him find Preston and Angel and asking him to come home four days ago and uploaded it three days ago. It had gone viral quickly and Allison had sent it to Abe two and a half days ago. Rachel hadn’t heard from him since. She wanted to call but was forcing herself to wait on him.
She’d decided to go forward with her plans, find a place and get settled in Buffalo, get ready for school in August. If that didn’t show Abe how committed she was to him she didn’t know what would. Maybe she should fly to the Caribbean and sail around with him on his revenge quest until school started.
She heard footsteps and assumed the realtor had walked in behind her.
“I’ve fallen in love with this view,” she said. “I like the whole place. I’ll take it.”
“I’ve fallen in love with you,” a deep voice said.
Rachel whirled and gasped. “Abe?” She put a hand over her mouth, covering the whimper that leaked out. “Oh, Abe!”
He grinned and opened his arms. “You’re taking the house; can I take you?”
Rachel rushed to him, wrapped her arms tight around his neck, and kissed him hard on the mouth. He swept her off the ground and held her tight. “That depends. Where do you want to take me?” she asked.