“You didn’t answer my original question—why are you here?”
“I was offered a chance to escort a sweet lady on Christmas Eve to go look at the beautiful lights in Hot Springs. How could I refuse?”
“Easy. You just say ‘no thank you’.”
“I tried. But they are very persuasive,” he replied, glancing past me at the group of traitors.
I could feel the electricity of their stares. Boy, would I let them have an earful when we left. “Yes, they can be. I’ll deal with them later, but for now, answer one question for me.”
“Okay.”
“Why are you really here?”
His eyes reflected much deeper thoughts than what his words conveyed. “I feel we have some unfinished business. I’ve been waiting to hear from you, but it appears I will be a shriveled up old man who can’t hear a thing by the time you get around to calling me.”
Ouch. Guess I deserved that. "Okay, you’re right. I should have contacted you sooner and expressed my thanks for everything. For that, I’m sorry. But surely you can understand why I haven’t?”
“It’s cold and that makes my brain run slow, so no, I don’t understand. Care to explain it to me over a cup of hot chocolate? I saw a stand about a hundred yards back there,” he said, pointing behind him.
I recognized the look behind his deep-set eyes and it confirmed my suspicions—he had feelings for me. They held a silent desperation, a quiet plea for acceptance of what he wanted to offer me. Seeing his face made me realize the real reason I had stayed away from him and shunned him like he had the plague.
It wasn’t just because looking at him brought to the forefront of my thoughts all the painful memories I had been trying to work through. It was because I felt the spark, too. We had a connection—a bond forged from the tragic events that brought us together. No matter how hard I tried, how much I wished it weren’t true, Detective Craig Knowles would be a part of my life story.
In the full two minutes we stood there under the cold, star-filled sky, the rainbow of colors glimmering behind us, I finally closed the door inside my heart to the life I had once led with Jack, and decided to open up the new one without him. Glancing behind me, I saw Kendal put one arm around Regina and pull her tight to his side as he hugged Mrs. Preston with the other. Even from this distance, I could feel their love while they gazed upon the newest addition to the Garden. I let my gaze settle on the light show as the butterfly started from its empty shell and touched upon all the flowers before ascending toward the Heavens to begin its new life. It was time for me to do the same, and it would start with a cup of hot chocolate.
Let go, and let God. “You realize I have nothing to offer other than friendship. I’m still kind of a mess on the inside.”
“I’m not asking for anything. I’m simply here. Shall we?”
I nodded in response and we started our walk toward the hot chocolate stand. I didn’t know how this would end. Didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. What I did know was that I still had friends, some old and some new, who loved me unconditionally. I had been blessed with support and love in ways I still couldn’t fathom, a lot from complete strangers. And I knew every single act of kindness was God’s way of comforting my soul as I stumbled through the path of life. Maybe the jagged road had finally turned to a straight path—at least for now.
One thing I knew for certain that I would never stray from again was my faith. Even if this part of the journey wasn’t an uphill battle and lasted only briefly, I would be ready when the path became covered in painful rocks again. Because next time, I would cling to my faith and never let go.
I smiled at Craig, then decided to ask him a question that had been bothering me for some time, even though it would take my mind back to that horrible day. “How did you get inside my house? The front door was locked.”
A large puff of steam lingered over his head when he let out a heavy sigh. “Believe me, I was shocked when I arrived and discovered it wasn’t. I had been pounding on the door, but guess you didn’t hear me over the storm. I was about to kick it down when something told me to try the knob.”
I didn’t say anything for a few minutes while we continued to walk. I let my mind wander back to that day. I had told Roger at the beginning of our conversation that the detective was on his way, so why didn’t he lock the door to keep him out? No, don’t go there. It doesn’t matter now. It’s over. Time to switch topics. “So, what are you doing with yourself now that you aren’t a cop anymore?”
“Decided to join my uncle’s business. I am now head of security and marketing at Rex’s Outdoor Oasis. What about you? Are you enjoying your new job?”
“Very much. My students are great. And, I get a chance to teach the next generation that old adage about history.”
“Which one is that?”
“You know, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it? It certainly is true in my life.”
“Wise words, indeed,” Craig said as he handed me a steaming cup of chocolate. He brought the rim of his up and gently touched mine. “Here’s to the future—a new one formed by not repeating the past.”
“Amen to that, Craig. Amen to that.”
To learn more about Ashley, please visit her website http://www.ashleyfontainne.com
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