“And he didn’t agree to give you any of the marina?” Edward said. “That must have made you angry.”
“He laughed,” A.J. said. “The man you think is so caring, so fair—he laughed in my face.” A.J.’s voice cracked. He seemed to have trouble continuing.
Edward was stunned by the thought of the judge behaving that way, but he had to stay focused. “Go on, A.J.,” Edward encouraged.
“All I did was shove him. But I was mad, you know. Anybody would’ve been.”
“And then what happened?”
“I didn’t mean to kill him. He fell off the dock, and when he came up for air, I don’t know what happened. I just saw his face. I knew then I wasn’t going to get anything from him. So I pushed him down, held him with my feet on his shoulders.”
Edward’s stomach roiled. The image of his father’s last moments, his struggle to break free of A.J.’s hold on him, his eyes open in the murky water. Edward pictured the pocketknife he took from his pants, the desperate carving in the piling which Edward now suspected was his attempt to carve the letter A.
A.J.’s words dissolved into gasps for air. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I just wanted...what should have been mine.” He slowly lowered the gun until the barrel was pointing at the floor.
Edward took three steps, carefully reached out and slipped the gun from A.J.’s hand. “Sit down, A.J.,” he said in a soothing but commanding voice. Once A.J. did that, Edward quickly untied Monica.
“What’s going to happen to me?” A.J. asked.
“I don’t know, but you’ll have to face what you’ve done. A court will decide,” Edward told him.
Tears ran down Monica’s face. But in spite of the bruise on her cheek and the sweat running down her brow, she looked absolutely beautiful in Edward’s eyes. She managed to smile at him.
“The police will be here soon,” Edward said. He took his phone from his pocket and called for two ambulances.
A.J. sat quietly, not speaking. His head was bowed, his eyes closed. Edward recognized he was no longer a threat.
Edward leaned toward Monica. “Hang in there, baby,” he whispered. “Help is on the way.”
“Edward, I was so afraid for you. I knew you were out there. I wanted to tell you to run from the bait house.”
“Shh, Mon. I wasn’t about to run anywhere. Not without you.”
“I let him get my gun,” she said. “That’s the worst thing an officer can do...”
“It’s okay. The worst thing would have been if you had died, but you kept that from happening.”
Edward wrapped her in a tight hug. She flinched, cried out in pain. He released her immediately. “What is it, Monica?” Edward asked. “Your shoulder?”
“I think I bruised it.”
Edward gently probed the affected shoulder. “Monica, you didn’t bruise it. You dislocated it.” He stared at A.J., his fists closing. He had the urge to punch the man.
“How do you know that?” Monica asked.
“I know two things, Mon. I know that you have a dislocated shoulder because I’ve had one. But don’t worry, you’re going to be fine.”
“What’s the other thing you know?”
“That I’m in love with you,” he said. “And I know that because I realized that finding you alive meant that I would be fine.” He knelt down in front of her, put his hands on her knees. “It’s over, Mon. A day or two in the hospital and you’ll be back with Emilio, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She gave him a genuine smile then. Edward heard the crunch of gravel in the parking lot. Help had arrived.
Soon Monica and the wounded officer would be in the hospital. A.J. would be in jail. And Edward would have kept his promise to his father.
CHAPTER TWENTY
MONICA HOPED TO BE RELEASED from the hospital soon. Once A.J. was taken to the station and put in a holding cell, the police came to the hospital and interviewed Monica and Edward. One of the officers was Officer Patterson, who had interviewed Edward the morning his father’s body was found in the bay.
“Wow, Mr. Smith, I sure never suspected that your dad was murdered,” Patterson said during the interview.
“Sometimes hunches pay off,” Edward said. “This time it did.”
Patterson shifted his attention to Monica. “Good detective work on your part.”
She adjusted her arm in the newly applied sling and smiled at Edward. “I wish I had believed more in Edward’s theory from the beginning.”
“You believed enough,” Edward said.
“How is Lincoln?” she asked.
“He’ll be okay,” Patterson reported. “He’s got to stay in the hospital overnight. He had stitches and they want to keep an eye on him, since it’s a head injury.”
“Thank goodness he’s going to recover. I feel terrible about what happened to him,” Monica said.
The two officers asked questions, gathering the details they needed to make a case. Since A.J. had confessed and both Monica and Edward had heard it, there wouldn’t be a problem in proving A.J.’s guilt. Monica figured his lawyer would simply plead for a lighter sentence due to emotional distress and temporary insanity.
When the officers had gone to file their report, Monica’s cell phone rang. She answered immediately. “Hi, Emilio. How was camp today?” She was always glad to hear her nephew’s voice, but today his phone call nearly brought her to tears.
“I’ll be home soon,” she said, answering his question. “Edward is coming with me.”
“Oh, good. I want to see him,” Emilio said.
Monica was pleased that her mother hadn’t told the boy about her encounter with A.J. and the extent of her injuries. She would have to explain the sling and the bruise on her face, which had swelled her upper lip and cheek. She would tell Emilio that she was fine and make up a little white lie to cover the complete truth. He didn’t need to know that she had been in such danger. It was enough that Rosa had called her hospital room in tears.
A discharge nurse came in the room with papers for Monica to sign. “You can go home now, Monica. Do you have a ride? The doctor doesn’t want you to drive until the shoulder is healed.”
“She has a ride,” Edward said. “And I guarantee she won’t be driving anytime soon.”
Monica met Edward in front of the hospital entrance. She got out of the required wheelchair and sat in the passenger seat. Soon they were on their way to Lantana Lane. Edward stopped in a shady spot, kept the air conditioner running and turned to look at Monica. Her mind flashed to the words he had spoken at the bait house, when he’d said he loved her. Had he said those words in the context of the moment or had he meant them? They had only known each other for three weeks. Would he have said he loved her if she hadn’t been in danger?
He spread his arm over the back of the passenger seat. “I can’t begin to tell you how terrified I was when I saw you in that bait house,” he said.
“But you kept your cool. You talked to A.J. in a calm manner. I really admire your ability to connect with such troubled people.”
“This was the worst time I’ve ever had doing that,” he said. “There was my grief in losing my father and knowing A.J. was responsible. And then there was my fear that I would lose you, too, and in that moment, I realized that losing you would be even worse.”
Monica’s heart began to pound. Never before had a man said he loved her. Many men had tried to be with her, and she had pushed them away because they had been wrong for her. But this man she didn’t want to push away. Edward was the man she believed she had been waiting for. “Edward, I—”
“I need to tell you this, Monica,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with you so soon and so completely, but it happened. I have never loved anyone in any way except for my father in my entire life. I didn’t know the meaning of the word. But you’ve taught
me the true definition. Love is a feeling in your heart, a glorious mixture of pain, and pleasure and passion. A feeling I never want to lose, and I know I won’t with you.”
She blinked to erase the moisture gathering in her eyes. She didn’t want to miss a second of this moment. She didn’t want Edward’s face, his beautiful eyes, to be a blur in her memory. “Edward,” she said. “I’m pretty sure I love you, too.”
He smiled. “Then let me try to convince you that ‘pretty sure’ can be ‘absolutely sure.’” Taking care not to touch her injuries, he placed his hand on her good shoulder and gently pulled her close. He kissed her in a way he never had before. His lips were tender and yet strong. He was right. Love was all the things he’d said. Pain when she had feared for Emilio and when she had seen Edward in the path of A.J.’s gun. Pleasure when she had been reunited with her nephew and pleasure every moment as she got to know Edward. Passion? Oh, yes, passion, the way she felt now, the way she knew she would always feel with Edward.
“Edward,” she murmured when they ended the kiss.
“Yes?”
“I’m absolutely sure, both about loving you and one other thing.”
He smiled, kissed her again with the utmost care and gentleness. “What’s that?”
“I need a shower. I stink.”
He laughed. “That can be arranged. Let’s get that lip healed so we can do more of this kissing.”
He started the car, pulled away from the trees and headed for Lantana Lane. “I have something else to tell you,” he said.
* * *
BEFORE THE CALL from Monica that morning, Edward had received the paperwork from the social worker in Miami. The woman worked in the Miami-Dade County family services department, and Edward had asked her to visit Miguel, who was currently in isolation for his own safety at the county jail. The social worker had rushed the paperwork through and finalized the adoption procedure for Emilio. Miguel had signed his approval. Now all that remained was for Monica to sign and accept legal custody of her nephew.
“What do you have to tell me?” she asked as they drove toward her home.
Edward took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
She took out the official document and unfolded it. “This is from the family court,” she said.
Edward smiled.
She read on, her breath coming in shorter gasps as she followed the words. “Edward, does this mean what I think it means?”
“If you think it means that Miguel has given his consent to legally let you raise Emilio, then yes. You never have to worry again about Miguel or anyone else taking him from you.”
She looked over at Edward, her eyes bright with tears that were about to spill onto her cheeks. “Miguel signed this,” she said, her voice almost reverent, as if a true miracle was more than she dared believe.
“Now all that remains is for you to sign your part at the bottom, have a short interview with the social worker, see a judge in family court and it’s official.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Congratulations, Monica. I know one little boy who is about to be the luckiest kid on earth.”
“But—but...how did you get Miguel to agree?”
“He knew how well you’ve cared for Emilio. And he realized that he wouldn’t be in any position to take as good care of Emilio for a long time.”
Monica frowned. “You’re making him sound like a generous person. I can’t take that step.”
“Maybe in time you will, Monica. There’s a chance Miguel could change. We don’t know what will happen in the future, but for now Emilio can have the life you always wanted and provided for him.”
“Edward, I hope you’re right. I want to believe that Miguel can change.”
“It’s time to trust that he can,” Edward said. “He was in a bad place and wanted a way out, and I was able to help him with that. He should get some credit. In the end he did what was right for his son. Emilio should be going to school, having fun with his friends, and not be faced with the possibility of getting swept up in Miguel’s world.”
A smile broke across her face. “So this is really happening?”
“Really and truly.”
“If we weren’t driving right now, I would—”
“Hold that thought,” Edward said. “I won’t be driving forever.”
“Wait ’til I tell Mama. Not only do we get to raise Emilio forever, but Miguel is safe, too.”
Edward nodded. “This is probably the best that Miguel could hope for. He was involved with some pretty unsavory guys.”
Edward pulled into the Cortezes’ driveway. Monica reached for the car door handle before he’d come to a complete stop. “Hold on there, Detective. Slow down. You still have a dislocated shoulder and a bruised lip.” He smiled. “And a fella who wants you in tip-top shape sooner rather than later.”
She laughed. “I want that, too.”
Rosa came out of the house, her arms spread to take Monica into a hug. “Come here, chica. I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m fine, Mama,” Monica said as she stepped out of the car. “All I need is a cup of tea and a shower and I’ll be good as new.”
“Don’t believe her,” Edward said. “She needs lots of rest and time to heal.”
“She will get the best care,” Rosa said. “Lucy is on her way over now, and Horatio is bringing soup soon. You stay, Edward. I want to hear everything that happened.”
Monica slipped her hand in his. “Yes, Edward, please stay.” She looked at her mother. “I have the best news, Mama. Let’s go inside and Edward and I will fill you in. After I have that shower.”
Edward followed the women inside and prepared himself for the onslaught of Rosa’s family. He didn’t know how much rest Monica could get once the Cortezes and their relatives arrived, but he knew Rosa was right. Her daughter would be well cared for.
He told Monica that he would only stay a short while. He wanted some time alone to return to the house by the marina and think about how he would take care of Monica for the rest of her life.
* * *
THAT NIGHT EDWARD called Brooke.
“How wonderful to hear from you,” she said. “We were so disappointed when you canceled your trip, but at least we can plan for another time.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it,” Edward told her. “But it couldn’t be helped. Some additional clues regarding my father’s death surfaced and Monica and I wanted to follow up on them right away.”
“Well, of course,” Brooke said. “Did these clues prove that your father was murdered?”
“Yes. In the span of a few hours today, we caught the guy that did it, and he’s been arrested.”
“That’s good news. Gives you the closure you were looking for.” She asked questions about the clues and how the guilty man was apprehended. Like a typical newsperson, she seemed to marvel at how mysteries can unravel with determination and a bit of luck. “Now there’s nothing to keep you from coming to Charleston.”
“That’s not exactly true,” Edward said. “Monica was injured during the apprehension.”
“How horrible,” Brooke said. “How bad was it? You weren’t hurt, were you?”
He explained the events of the afternoon in as few words as possible. “So you can see, Brooke, that even though Monica’s injuries weren’t terribly serious, I don’t want to leave her right now.”
“It’s reassuring that she has that whole big family, isn’t it?” Brooke pointed out. “I could tell that her family is close-knit. She should have plenty of care.”
“That’s true,” Edward said, truly believing that a large, caring family was a blessing, one he’d never known. “But I’d like to stay around at least through the weekend.”
“Sure. You two are close, too.”
Obviously, Brooke didn’t understand the full picture. “Uh, there’s something I need to tell you, Brooke. Monica is becoming more than just close.”
There was a pause before Brooke said, “Edward, you’re in love with her.”
“Yes. I’m planning to ask Monica to marry me.”
Brooke whooped with joy. “You know the old saying, Edward. You don’t just marry a person. You marry their whole family. I can’t get over this—our small clan has now, what, quadrupled in size?”
Edward took a long, calming breath. His sister had reacted perfectly, with such excitement.
“Here I’m marrying a man who has two children, and Camryn’s married a guy with children. If anyone should understand about marrying an entire family, it should be us.”
Brooke’s words mirrored his own thoughts. Edward was used to his family being just himself and the judge. Now look what had happened.
“That’s for sure,” he said. “But I’m probably never going to turn into Uncle Horatio. I can’t see myself roasting a whole pig. But I will try to be the best fiancé for the woman who has turned my life around.” He smiled at that and added, “As a matter of fact, make that three women who have turned my life around.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Brooke said. “If Monica says yes—and why wouldn’t she?—don’t forget to invite us to the wedding.”
“You’ll be at the top of the guest list.”
They disconnected. Edward settled into a chair on his front porch and thought about his future, one that would be exciting and filled with love and compromise, a wonderful woman and a boy who loved snorkeling. He looked up at the sky. He had learned a lot about his father in the last weeks. Some good and some bad. But one thing he would always keep first in his heart. William Smith saved him and gave him a chance, and Edward was thankful to have kept the promise he made at the funeral home. “I think you would be pleased with this day, Dad.”
* * *
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