“Tell me something. Are you still with your father’s company?”
“Technically my name is still connected to safeguard the business, but that’s all. My father needed it to secure outside financing. The company was near bankruptcy. Fees, fines and retributions after the legal battles nearly ruined it. I agreed to keep my name attached, but one of the provisions when I left was that all operations be mandated by outside regulators of my choosing. I have a very good friend of mine taking care of that.”
“So pop inspections, that kind of thing?”
He nodded. “Yes, among other things. Everything is by the book. It’s costly, but it’s worth it.”
“One of your provisions. Are there others?”
“Yes, several dozen or so. Another one is that my company salary goes to my mother’s child-care centers.”
Mia smiled shaking her head. “You and children again.”
“Mia,” he began.
“The thing is, I wish I knew about all this before. I’m not saying I agree with any of it. The whole thing was crazy, but it’s in the past. My father got beyond it. I don’t know how but he did. Funny, reading his letters was exactly what I needed. I guess he knew I’d have questions.”
Stephen nodded. “I had explicit orders from him to give them to you when you needed them. But if you married Neal, I was to burn them, because he felt you’d have truly moved on.”
“I miss writing him. I bet between the two of us we kept the United States postal service in business. He hated phone calls. I guess I should have known something was strange when he called me that last time,” she said thickly then stepped back to walk away. “I have to leave.”
“Why?” he asked, taking her hand.
“In case you haven’t noticed, there’s not a whole lot down here for me anymore.”
“That’s not true. I’m here.”
“Stephen, I do love you. I don’t know how to stop feeling what I feel for you. This never happened to me before. How do we just be friends now?”
“I don’t want to be just your friend, Mia, I can’t. I want more. I want all of you. I know I hurt you and I should have told you everything up front. I was wrong.”
“Before, earlier, I thought we were over, and I thought I’d be okay with it. But you know what? It’s not okay.”
“It’s never gonna be okay. We belong together. I let you push me away earlier, but never again. If that means I have to fight for you for the rest of my life just to prove that we belong together, then I’ll do it. I love you with all my heart. The only thing between us that matters is what we feel.”
“How do we do this—have a long-distance relationship?”
“I’m going to quit the force here and move to Atlanta.”
“No, I can’t ask you to do that. I don’t want you to do that. This is your home.”
“If you think a long-distance relationship will be enough for us, you’re wrong.” He smiled. “And phone sex isn’t gonna do it for either of us. Mia, I don’t ever want to be parted from you again.”
“You won’t be. I’m moving down here.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Really. My dad wanted me to keep this place. I guess I can find someplace to live.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“Anyway, thank you for the letters.”
“I have one more thing for you. I saved it.”
“What is it?”
“It’s at the house. Come on.”
She followed as he led the way back down the beach to his home. She waited on the balcony while he went into the house. Standing there staring out at the colorful sky, she felt complete. After everything that had happened she loved him more than ever. It was strange. With Neal, there was nothing, no feeling, no emotion. But with Stephen everything was clear and she had no idea why or how. It was irrational, but it was real. It wasn’t about forgiveness or change or right and wrong. It was about love and she did love him.
“Here it is,” Stephen said behind her.
Not knowing what to expect, Mia turned. She instantly stopped breathing and her heart skipped a beat. “Stephen,” she whispered, smiling and half laughing upon seeing what he held. He walked closer and placed the jar of sea glass in her shaking hands. She almost dropped it. He grabbed hold, keeping it secure in her trembling hands. “Where did you find this?” she muttered, placing the jar on the table.
“Leo gave it to me to keep for you.”
Mia reached in and grabbed a handful of colorful smooth glass and then let them go, smiling happily. “My mermaid’s tears, I thought he’d lost them. I can’t believe it. Thank you.” She reached out to him. He grabbed hold and held her tight. She snuggled close filled with a love she’d never imagined. This was her home. This was where she belonged, with Stephen, in his arms forever. “My head is spinning right now. I don’t know if I’m coming or going.”
“You’re staying, Mia, that’s all that matters. Usted, mi amor es mi fantasía. I’ve been waiting for you for so long and now you’re here in my arms.”
“I think we’ve both been waiting long enough.”
“You know you still didn’t answer my question from this morning. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Deliriously happy to finally get the answer he wanted, he picked her up and swung her around. They both laughed happily until he slowly released her. They stood gazing into each other’s eyes. The hurricane winds blew gently as a patch of sunset cleared in the distance. It wasn’t over. It was just the beginning.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3456-1
SULTRY STORM
Copyright © 2009 by Celeste O. Norfleet
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Sultry Storm (Kimani Romance) Page 18