Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

people who were turned and twisted by cruel Fate,

whose only fault was they longed too hard and too

much for love."

He lowered his head, exhausted from his

revelations. For a long moment neither Luke nor I

spoke. Then I reached forward and slowly took my

father's hand. He looked up to meet my eyes, and in

his eyes I saw Mommy's face. I saw her smiling,

beautiful face. I felt her comfort and her love, and I

knew that everything Troy had told us was born of

love, words from the heart.

I h

ated no one; I faulted no one. Actions taken

long ago had determined that two families as different

as night and day would cross paths and destinies. The turmoil that resulted swept up both houses, kept them forever in the midst of winds of passion and hate, driving some mad, shaking the very foundations of

both families.

Now Luke and I stood alone in this confusion.

Now my true father had decided it was time to end it.

He showed us the way out of the maze.

"We don't hate and there is no one to forgive."

He smiled through his tears.

"There is so much of Heaven in you. I believe

what you have of her will be strong enough to

overcome any melancholy you have inherited from

me.

"For a long time, I lived in shame, regretting

that night of love Heaven and I shared, but when I

saw how beautiful you were and realized what your

life could be if you were free of all the lies and

deceptions, I decided to give you the best, the only