Remember Love

by Jessica Nelson

  Katrina watched him go, her heart lighter. Usually her visits left her melancholy, sad for both her loss and Anthony’s.

  Anthony would be all right.

  But now she needed to find Alec. She owed him an apology.

  Because if he could forgive Anthony, then maybe he really could forgive her. Maybe he hadn’t been lying about wanting her and not just trying to get back at her. Maybe moving past their mistakes was possible after all...Maybe they could have a future together, free of resentment and unforgiveness.

  She gathered her purse and marched out of the prison, into the sun.

  *****

  Alec paced his hotel room, his luggage packed and standing like sentries by the door.

  He didn’t want to go. Hated the thought of leaving Katrina behind. But he hadn’t heard from her in the last few days and a customer had flown into New York, needing to meet with him.

  He shoved his hand through his hair. Why couldn’t she see how much he loved her? That he could set the past behind them and move forward?

  "Are you leaving?" Grant appeared in the doorway, face grim.

  Alec spared one last glance for the sparkling river below the balcony doors before turning to Grant. "Yeah." He grabbed his bags, and they walked down the hotel hallway. "I have an appointment. Have you picked Steve up yet?"

  "Nope." Grant pushed the elevator button. "I’m glad I caught you. I was going to invite you to a barbecue tonight."

  Alec gestured to the bags. "Thanks, but obviously I won’t be making it." He shifted the bags so they rested on the carpet in neat angles. "Is there an officer still guarding Katrina’s house?" He didn’t want to worry about her while he was gone.

  "A couple of sources say Steve skipped town."

  Alec’s jaw tightened. "No one is guarding her house?"

  Grant slid him a look. "We’re a small force. We don’t have the manpower for that."

  They stepped into the elevator. The doors closed and Alec punched the first floor button. He’d hire security for her as soon as he left the hotel. Then there was also Sharon to think of.

  "Any chance he knows where Sharon is?" Alec asked.

  "I don’t think he knows much of anything right now. The guy’s off his rocker." Grant cleared his throat. "Got any idea what people are saying in town?"

  "Don’t know, don’t care."

  The elevator dinged. Alec stepped out, Grant right behind him like a terrier nipping at his heels.

  "They’re saying you didn’t know about Joey."

  "And?"

  "They’re saying maybe Katrina’s an unfit Christian."

  Alec stopped. "How do you know this?"

  "You know my aunt goes to Katrina’s church." Grant shrugged.

  "No, actually I didn’t. So why are you telling me this? I thought you didn’t like Kitty."

  "Just didn’t care for what she did to you." His feet shifted and he looked away.

  Alec’s eyes narrowed. Maybe she’d taken the easy way out by letting people assume he abandoned his family, but that didn’t erase all of her other virtues. "Katrina’s a fine Christian and you can tell all the busybodies I said so." He glanced at his watch. "We don’t have time to sit here and talk. I need to catch my flight." The plane left in three hours and the trip to the airport took a solid hour.

  He started forward but Grant gripped his shoulder, stopping him. Alec gave him a look that would freeze anyone else but Grant didn’t seem to notice.

  "You come back after ten years and now you’re gonna leave?"

  "Not much I can do here," Alec said coldly. "The building’s burnt down."

  "Fine." Grant stepped away from him. "I don’t much like how Katrina treated you but seeing how happy she’s looked, I can’t help but think you’re making a big mistake."

  "I asked her to marry me."

  Grant’s jaw dropped.

  "She said no," Alec continued. Three times. "Let’s just leave it at that."

  "Dude, she messed you over. Why would you marry her?"

  "I left her. Promised I’d never leave, and then I did. I forgot my promise."

  Grant grunted.

  "I should’ve given her more time." Alec turned to the entrance of the hotel. Through the glass doors the sun gleamed off the cars in the parking lot.

  "Time." Grant’s hands rode low on his hips. His feet planted apart. "Seems to me like she’s had ten years."

  "Yeah." Alec rubbed his chin. Could he really give her up without a fight? His jaw firmed. No way. He would make things up to her, prove she could trust him, that he was a different man. An honest man.

  Grant’s radio beeped. A disembodied voice crackled over it, but all Alec caught was the word Barbour street.

  His head jerked up. "That’s Katrina’s road."

  *****

  Where was Alec? Katrina’s hand tightened around the steering wheel while her other gripped the cell phone. She dialed the number again, careful to watch the road in front of her. His phone rang and rang.

  It was a little after noon, the day bright despite the cooler temperatures. He might be at lunch, but he wasn’t answering his phone.

  She drove for five more minutes before trying again. It went to voicemail.

  "This is Alec Munroe. I’ll be back in the office tomorrow, Thursday, the fifth. If you have an emergency, contact my secretary at—" Katrina snapped the phone shut and threw it to the passenger floorboards.

  She took a deep breath and concentrated on driving straight. Her hands trembled against the steering wheel. It sounded as if he was going back to New York. She had to stop him. He should know that she was sorry for judging him, that she forgave him for lying to her.

  Furthermore, now she could truly believe their relationship could move forward. All her life had been spent protecting herself, even as a Christian. Taking risks had never been in her nature. She would now though. Fly to New York, chase him to Europe. This time she’d make sure he knew she would love him forever. That she’d marry him, if he’d still have her.

  She turned onto her street and then pulled into her driveway. Opening the garage took too much time. She’d grab the emergency cash stuffed under her mattress, pack a suitcase, and then head to the airport.

  She dropped the key twice before she got it in the front door lock. Hand shaking, she twisted the knob. Nerves. If only she’d chased Alec down before. She shoved the door open.

  And gagged. The house reeked like rotten eggs. She spun back to the door, retching, but it was too late. Steve slammed it shut, his eyes glittering.

  "You’re gonna be real sorry." A gun appeared from beneath his ragged clothing. He swung it through the air. "We’re calling Sharon. Now."

  Katrina nodded, hands pressed against her mouth. She couldn’t scream. She wouldn’t.

  She hadn’t realized she wasn’t moving until a smooth, chilly finger pressed against her temple.

  Not a finger, but the cold kiss of steel.

  She shivered and stumbled farther into the living room. The phone. Where was it? Her tongue seemed too thick for her throat, her breath came in rapid hitches.

  "Get the phone." Steve’s eyes rolled wildly. The gun in his hand wavered.

  Katrina flinched. "I have to find it."

  "Quick, hurry." Steve stuffed the gun beneath his shirt and paced erratically, his sneakers scuffing against the carpet.

  She stumbled to the phone charger and mashed the finder button. The phone beeped loud and shrill from the kitchen. She brought it back to the living room.

  He aimed the gun her way. "Call Sharon."

  Fingers trembling, she dialed her friend. Steve snatched the phone with greedy hands. She could hear his breathing, heavy and deep. The sound drummed in her head, a broken rhythm she couldn’t tune out. She cowered back on the couch. Nausea rolled through her.

  Steve muttered into the phone. His shoulders jerked like a puppet on a string.

  Did he see her? He seemed crazily out of it, but now might be the perfect time to call f
or help. Except that her phone was on the floorboard of the car. Oh, Jesus. I need help. Please. She forced her breathing to slow when spots began dancing in her vision.

  Think. Think.

  Steve’s voice grew louder, the scuffing of his shoes against the carpet more desperate.

  She needed to get free. She needed a weapon. The bat. In the closet. Her head whipped over to the kitchen. If she could get in there. . .

  She rose slowly, trying not to alert Steve. He didn’t seem to notice.

  She inched across the living room, breath held. Her heartbeat pounded unnaturally loud in the quiet room. Steve held his head, muttering into the phone.

  He’d lost his grip on reality. Katrina could hear Sharon’s voice through the phone. Keep talking, keep talking. It became a mantra in her head.

  She was almost there. Her fingers grazed the closet doorknob, its slick surface sending shudders of relief through her.

  "What’re you doing!"

  Katrina jumped at the sound of Steve’s scream. Before she could react he was to her, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her into the living room as if she were as light as a rag doll.

  Scalp burning, Katrina tried to stay close to him. He shoved her to the couch. A sob caught in her throat as she fell against the faded cloth.

  She had to stay in control. Steve’s heavy breathing filled the room again. He pushed the end button on the phone and the beep sounded like a death knell.

  Katrina’s body shook. Could this be happening? She wanted to gag at the foulness in her home. Steve loomed above her, his pupils as black as the grave. He pulled the gun out from beneath his jacket and then used his sleeve to swipe at the sweat dripping off his forehead.

  "You took her," he rasped. "I want to know where my wife is." He leveled the gun to her forehead.

  Someone pounded on the front door. Steve’s arm jerked and Katrina recoiled. He didn’t shoot her, though.

  His eyes rolled to the side, his mouth dropped open. Saliva dribbled down his chin.

  "Katrina! Open up or I’m coming in." Alec’s voice boomed through the door. Her eyes widened. She couldn’t let him come in. Steve was already swiveling towards the door, gun moving with his body, his eyes gleaming with evil intent.

  The door swung open and Katrina jumped off the couch. The next moment passed in a blur.

  She saw Alec’s face creasing, first with shock, then with horror. And his lips moving. But she couldn’t make out the words.

  Adrenaline surged through her, drowning out everything but the knowledge that if she didn’t get in front of him, he’d be dead.

  And then the roaring in her ears stopped, interrupted by the sharp, staccato report of gunfire.

  She fell into Alec’s arms. Behind him, Grant pushed into the doorframe, gun raised, eyes hard.

  Alec lowered her to the floor and laid her on her back. He bent over her, hands smoothing her hair, gripping her fingers. His hands were sticky, crimson . . . with blood?

  "You’re bleeding." Alarm sizzled through her and she struggled to sit up.

  He pressed her down, his eyes like polished gold. Tears?

  He said something, but she couldn’t hear him. Her thoughts wouldn’t connect. She wanted to tell him she loved him, that everything was okay, but her lips wouldn’t form the words.

  She tasted metal, razor-edged and silvery, before the edges of her vision grayed and his face shimmered into blackness.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Roses.

  The cemetery did not seem the place for fragrance. For life. But Christmas lured the heartbroken, and they brought flowers as if the scent of the living might chase away the stench of the dead.

  Alec lifted his own bouquet to his nose. Sweet and full, freshly cut this morning. He stepped around gravestones, coming finally to the one he sought.

  Small and white, little marked by time. Bending down, he set the flowers on the grassy mound.

  He had no tears, but studied the gravestone with solemnity. He let his finger briefly touch the name engraved before straightening.

  "I wish I could have known him."

  "Someday." Katrina slipped her arm through his and gently squeezed.

  He smiled down at her and carefully returned the gesture. She still wore bandages on her shoulder and he didn’t want to aggravate the wound.

  "You can quit frowning," she said, pushing up on her toes and kissing his chin. "Dr. Brown says it’s healing nicely. I feel much better now."

  Her eyes shone in the sun, clear as silver moonbeams, and pain spiked through Alec’s chest. She’d jumped in front of him, risking her life for his.

  "Don’t ever do that again." His voice roughened and his throat felt suddenly parched. "If anything happened to you. . . I love you so much."

  "I know." She grinned, despite the wetness on her cheeks and the fierce glower he was giving her. "You had no business charging in ahead of Grant. That was foolish."

  "He thought Steve went out through your backyard. I wasn’t thinking clearly."

  She smiled, then glanced down at Joey’s grave. "This is right. That we came here together."

  Alec pulled her closer to him, breathing in the sun-warmed jasmine in her hair. It was right.

  Right and good and fitting.

  "Joey would’ve loved Roasted." Katrina rested her head against his shoulder.

  "Coffee? That’s quite the kid."

  "I’m sure mom snuck him coffee in the mornings, though I could never prove it."

  "You don’t mind, do you?" Alec pulled away and studied her face. "Opening the coffee shop?"

  She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the rising sun. "I’m ready to travel. To be with you. We’ll have a manager for the store to take care of things. It’s good business for the town. People are already talking about it."

  "I want you to be happy, Katrina." Her hair lifted with the breeze. Alec reached over and smoothed the curls down. They were silkier than a butterfly’s wing.

  "Being with you makes me happy. God’s given us a second chance. When we’re done traveling, we can come back here permanently. Start another Kat’s Korner."

  "And maybe a family?" The question tumbled out and fear scraped his chest with razor claws. It had only been three weeks since the shooting, since Steve had died in her living room.

  And then there was Joey. Would she want more children? He took in the nuances of her expression, the way her head angled down to study Joey’s grave, her motionless feet.

  When she looked up, her eyes were rose petal soft. "I would love to make a family with you."

  Alec heaved a deep sigh. He would never hold Joey, never feel the warmth of Joey’s hand in his but her answer eased some deep, elemental part of his soul.

  Hope for another child filled him. Never to take the place of Joey, but to add love to their family. His fingers sought Katrina’s and together they left the cemetery.

  At the gates, he paused. Above him, a bird twittered, rustling in the branches before taking flight with a flurry of wings. God had lifted his and Katrina’s love from the ashes, giving it the wings to soar far above their expectations. God’s goodness was to be treasured, His faithfulness to be trusted.

  Alec tightened his grasp on Katrina’s hands, clasped her warmth, cherished her. As he would, forever.

  Table of Contents

  REMEMBER LOVE

  Many thanks to my family and friends, for always supporting me! Thank you Linda Glaz and Anita Howard...

  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth jud...

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

>   CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXRoses.