Page 137 of Debt of My Soul

Drawn in charcoal is a black-and-white photo of the first time we came together. I stare at it. The way he captured thetexture of the rough brick I can still feel on my back, or the love in his eyes I didn’t recognize then but now see so clearly …

“Liam, this is beautiful.” I trace my fingers over his face and glance up him. This man is my everything and time has nothing to do with it. Nine years spent with a man resulted in heartbreak, yet nine weeks withthisman,myhusband, have resulted in bliss. I’ll never be happier.

“Turn it over.”

I flip the frame and find a key taped to the back. “What’s this?”

“You’ll see.”

I watch out the window in anticipation, the bare trees lending themselves better views of the nature around us. We turn down a familiar road, and I take in the winter hayfields and empty rows of cotton, closing my eyes to breathe.

“Liam …” I gasp as the farmhouse property comes into view.

Fresh wood walls are erect on a new foundation, and I jump out of the truck before Liam has fully put it in park.

Cold wind bites at my chin, but I barely feel it. Instead, I inhale the fresh pine two-by-fours, and my eyes rove over the PEX piping routed through the walls. Sheathing stretches high up to the second floor and around the sides.

The warmth at my back causes me to lean into the solid muscle behind me.

“Should be finished by spring,” he says.

“You were the one who bought this?”

I feel him nod against the back of my head. “I couldn’t bear to see it go, not on such a sour note. We can rebuild it and either choose to live here or we can start over somewhere different. The choice is ours.”

“I can’t believe this.” I turn, finding his mouth inches from mine, and I kiss him deeply.

A smile lights up his face. “I was thinking a big yard for kids would be better than an apartment.”

I grin. “And what if I want chickens?”

“Then I’ll build a chicken coop right over there.” He points to an empty spot out back.

“And if I want cows?”

“Then I’ll build you a pasture over there.” He moves his hand to the side of the house where the property gives way to an open flat grassy area. “I’ll give you anything want, Fleur.”

I close my eyes while Liam pecks a kiss on my nose, and I melt into his arms, safe and home.

“Come on, let me show you where we’ll put the barn.”

THE END

Bonus Epilogue

Prisoner # 397564

Dear Darrin,

I hope you rot in prison.

-the person who hates you the most

Dear person who hates me the most,

Hi, River.

-D

THE END