Taken Bride (The Secret Bride 3)

I walk over to Ember and take her hand in mine. I squeeze gently, knowing she needs my connection to help her get through this. I know she doesn’t want to lose her friends, but at the same time, she has to understand what they’re going through and why they’re considering other options.

“Violet?” Holly asks. “What do you think?”

Violet keeps her eyes on Isaac. “It’s too much. You’re being too nice.”

Isaac pats her good leg and smiles. “The way I see it, it will save me from having to hike in the snow every day to come up here and check on you ladies. You’d be doing me a favor.”

Violet smiles warmly and then looks up at Holly. “What do you want to do?”

Holly glances at me and then at Ember. “Would you agree to leaving us with Isaac?”

I nod, then wait for Ember to finally answer, “I don’t want to leave you. I’ll miss you every day, but I also understand.” She looks at Isaac. “Thank you for being here. Thank you for being there for them.”

Holly then places her hand on Isaac’s shoulder. “Thank you for your generosity. My sister and I would love to stay with you until the chapel is safe.”

Isaac pats Violet’s leg one more time and stands. “All right then. I have plenty of blankets, food, and supplies, but you ladies better pack your clothing and any other items you want. It’s going to be awhile until you can return.” He then turns his attention to me. “Do you mind helping me get Violet to my place before you and Ember make your journey down the hill?”

“It’s the least I can do,” I reply, more than happy to be of some use.

The man has become all of our savior. He gave a solution to a problem I didn’t feel could be solved.

“Let’s get a move on. We have a lot to do before it gets dark. My place will take about half a day with Violet.”

As everyone scrambles to get to work, I take a minute to pull Ember into my arms and ask, “Are you all right with this?”

“It’s what they want,” she says, her voice cracking. “I want them to be happy. They deserve that.”

“And I want you to be happy. What will it take to make that happen?”

She pulls away and looks into my eyes. “You,” she states simply. “I just need you to make me happy.”

20

Ember

It had been a long day and a grueling hike getting the sisters to Isaac’s cabin. Christopher and Isaac were able to carry Violet the entire way, while Holly and I carried the supplies. Once we had them settled into the cabin, Christopher and I decided it would be best to come back to the chapel before dark, spend the night one last time, and then head out for the meadow at first light. Though Isaac offered his place for us to stay, both Christopher and I felt we needed some privacy so we could figure out our own future. We still have so much to discuss, and we really need some time to just be us… one last time before the craze of starting our new life begins.

Goodbyes were hard, but we all promised to stay in touch. Isaac promised to watch over Holly and Violet until we get word to them that Scarecrow and Papa Rich have been arrested, and knowing this made it possible for me to walk away. As hard as it was to leave them, I know deep down that they are happy now. They are living their lives the way they want to and on their terms. I could never force them to do anything but.

“It’s just me and you now,” Christopher says as we enter the chapel.

“It’s so quiet,” I say, walking over to the fire that is only embers now. It won’t take me long to get it raging again, and I get to work quickly before the room gets any colder.

Christopher comes up from behind and wraps his arms around me, kissing the side of my neck. “I know today was rough on you. But I’m proud of you. You put their needs before your own, and I’m proud.”

“It was hard. I want them with us, but I also know how hard it is out there… in society.”

“Which is why we need to come up with a plan so it isn’t so hard for you. Starting with the fact that we aren’t going back to New York. You won’t ever have to see my mother again or have the media hounding you. Wherever we go, we’re going to keep it secret. It will take a damn good private investigator to hunt us down, and if they do… we’ll leave again.”

His words fill me with so much hope for the future. “What about your job?”