Indelible, Laurie Buchanan [the kiss of deception read online txt] 📗

A bevy of emotions run through Mick’s mind. He thinks of Emma upstairs in intensive care, grateful that she’s alive. And now that he’s learned the “why” behind Sam’s death, he also feels a sense of satisfaction at Alex’s death. I’ve never felt this emotion before at the death of another human being. As he starts the Jeep, his chest, heart, and shoulders feel lighter.

CHAPTER 27

“In the planning stage of a book, don’t plan the ending. It has to be earned by all that will go before it.”

—ROSE TREMAIN

During the next two weeks, Mick works on carving a beautiful pendant for Emma. Before he began, he put a lot of thought into what it would be and why.

When he picks Emma up at the hospital, Mick notices that her hair is tucked behind her ears, revealing a single pearl dangling from each lobe. He smiles.

After wheeling her down to the parking area, he lifts her and transfers her gently onto the front passenger seat of the Jeep.

A new wheelchair is stowed in the back, waiting for her to use when they reach Pines & Quill.

Before starting the ignition, Mick turns to Emma and splashes a broad smile all over her. His eyes drink in her auburn hair, sparkling green eyes, the smattering of freckles across her nose, and her cheeky grin.

Reaching into his shirt pocket, he says, “I made something for you.” He pulls out a small black velvet bag and hands it to her.

She looks up, into his eyes.

“Well, go on. Open it.” He encourages.

Emma loosens the drawstring at the top of the small pouch and pours the contents into her left palm. She inhales fast and deep. She picks it up and runs her fingers along its carved lines. “Oh my gosh, Mick. It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it, Emma. It’s a ‘Honu,’ a Hawaiian green sea turtle. It symbolizes good fortune, endurance, and long life. When lost, turtles are excellent navigators and often find their way home—in your case, I hope it’s always to me.”

Leaning over to put the leather cord over her head, he whispers, “Emma, I love you,” along her cheek, and draws closer still.

Emma lifts her head to look up at him. “Tell me again.”

His voice is low and husky with emotion. “I love you.” His mouth crushes down on hers, smothering any more words, any more thoughts.

When they arrive at Pines & Quill, Mick presses a button on the remote attached to the visor over the driver’s seat. The huge entrance gate swings open and the vehicle sensor buzzes in the main house, notifying the occupants that Mick and Emma have arrived.

Inside the main house, it sounds like someone poked a hornet’s nest. There are all kinds of whispered hushing, shushing, and jockeying for position in good hiding spots.

As the Jeep pulls into the circular drive, Libby stays behind the front door, opening it just enough for Hemingway, sans Elizabethan collar, to race out and greet them—a diversionary tactic on their part.

Hemingway’s jumping and barking with excitement. Mick has to honk the horn to keep from running him over.

Mick puts down the driver’s side window. “Hold your horses, big fella. I’ll have her out in just a minute.”

Once the Jeep has stopped, Mick comes around, gets the wheelchair, and transfers Emma from the passenger seat to the chair.

Hemingway yelps with joy at the sight of his friend, Emma. He nudges her hand with his wet nose.

Emma coos and scratches behind his ear.

Hemingway pushes his warm body against Emma’s legs. She bends down and buries her face in his fur.

As Mick checks his watch, he says, “I’m sure Niall has brunch ready. Let’s go inside.”

“I’ve missed his cooking. And after all that hospital food, I’m starving!”

The moment her wheels cross the threshold, Emma’s nostrils fill with a delicious scent. She turns to Mick. “It smells like Thanksgiving!”

“It sure does,” he agrees, rolling her down the hall.

When they enter the massive kitchen and dining area, people jump out of the woodwork and shout, “Welcome home!”

With her hands to her checks, Emma looks through tear-filled eyes and sees Niall with his arm around Libby, her parents with their arms around each other, Dr. Zimmerman standing next to Cynthia, Sean Rafferty standing next to Joe Bingham, and Fran standing next to a man in a police uniform. Emma has yet to meet him—Officer Herb who’d been on duty the night Cynthia was hurt.

“Oh, my gosh, you scared the living daylights out of me,” Emma says as the crowd of people surrounds her.

“I see Mick gave you your pendant,” Libby says.

Emma reaches up to touch it. “I love it.”

Niall raises a wooden spoon. “Your timing couldn’t have been better, you two. Brunch is ready.”

“What are we having?” Emma asks.

“A celebration feast,” Niall answers. “We have turkey breast with sausage and apricot stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato pan dumplings, strawberry spinach salad, and soft yeasty rolls. I’ve paired it with a D’autrefois Reserve Pinot Noir from Vin de Pays, France. I chose it because of its rich undertones of vanilla and spice, and accent notes of cherry and cassis. It’ll go nicely with the pear cake we’re having for dessert.”

The volume around the table rises and falls as they bring each other up to date on the current happenings.

Niall says, “Officer Toni and my brother, Paddy, would have joined us this afternoon, but Paddy has mass and confessions today, and Toni has a pressing family matter. She said it just can’t wait any longer.”

Mick says, “I’ll pull the van around shortly. I know some of you have outbound flights this evening.”

Mr. and Mrs. Benton are catching an evening flight back home to San Diego. They’re ecstatic about Emma’s relationship with Mick.

Cynthia is catching a flight back to Tucson. She doesn’t miss the look that passes between Fran and Herb and smiles—a look that promises a multitude of air miles being racked up between Seattle and Boston.

“Will