Fallen Hearts (Casteel 3)

imitating Fanny, "now that I'm rich as Heaven, I don't

want ya ta come back. Well, I got more money than I

kin spend and lots a handsome young men will be

knockin' on ma door. So don't come back here later on

with yer tail between yer legs and 'spect me ta go

runnin' inta yer arms." He paused and looked at me

expectantly. "Where did Fanny get the money,

Heaven?"

I told him the truth and he listened without a

word of judgment. He didn't tell me that I had done

the same thing to Fanny that Tony had done to Luke,

he didn't chastise me. He only smiled and said, "Well,

I'll just have to work that much harder to make the Willies factory a huge success and pay all that money

back to Tony, so we'll never owe him anything again." I embraced him and gave him a hundred kisses

for being the best husband in the world.

We went about our lives, hearing stories about

Fanny from time to time, the things she bought, the

people she associated with. Occasionally, she came

around to see Drake. He was always very polite to

her, but I could see he was afraid she would try to take

him away again. Every time she came and left, I

reassured him that wouldn't happen.

The winter flew by, and one day spring burst

forth in all its glory. It was as if God had unwrapped a

gift of flowers and green grass and warm blue-sky

days. The whispering in the leaves, the songs of the

wind in the grass, the wild flowers that scented the air

with sweet perfume filled us with hope and made the

days of sadness retreat with the chill of winter.

Sunlight was everywhere.