Her Shadows, His Secrets

“He taught me how to love. He gave me love. He was the first. Besides you….” I trail off, remembering each time he said he loved me in the letters.

“I wrote a book. I’m calling it The Girl Who Belonged to Cherry Hill. I mention you a lot. I wanted to read you a couple lines that I wrote about you before I go.” I wait a minute, close my eyes, and let the breeze sweep over me.

“‘I learned of the man who would have loved me so fiercely… when it was too late. But I knew his love ran so deep that he wouldn’t let me go a lifetime without experiencing some sort of love. When he brought me to Cherry Hill, he knew I would meet him—meet the man who would change for me. Live for me. Breathe for me. My grandfather never left me, even in death. He helped me find what I wish I always had. Love. My grandfather brought me to Cherry Hill, where the girl who never knew love found the greatest love of all.’

“Thank you for loving me when you didn’t have to. I love you, Grandpa. See you someday.” I kiss my hand, then bring it to the grave stone, leaving it there for a few brief moments. Finally, I stand and move to Theo, but of course I’m not fast enough. With two fingers, he summons me to move faster. Picking up speed, I jump up into his arms.

He kisses my forehead and then my lips. “Want to tell me what you two talked about?”

I shake my head.

“That’s not fair. What happened to the no-secrets rule?”

I laugh, climbing in his truck and letting him buckle me in. “Let’s just say we’re even now.” I wink, and he gives me a devilishly handsome smile.

“You sly minx. Now let’s get home. I want to get to practicing.”

My stomach flips. “You really ready to be a dad?”

“I’m ready to do anything that tethers you to me permanently.”

Aren’t we both?

THE END