“How didIget so lucky?” he asked in return, voice choked. “I never forgot about you. I just . . . I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to see you again.”
“Is this a miracle?” She leaned back and cupped his face in her hands. “I was having a regular day, sitting here playing Words with Friends, and suddenly here you are. I can’t believe it.”
“I can’t believe it either. You’re the most beautiful woman. You haven’t changed.”
She laughed and it sounded like birdsong on a spring breeze. “I’ve aged so very much. But I know what you mean because in my eyes you are still Wendell. My Wendell. The same one I knew. I’d have recognized you anywhere.” She gripped both his hands in hers. “Are you married? Do you have children?”
“I was happily married for more than fifty years,” he said. “My wife passed away.”
“Ah,” Marisol murmured.
“We had two children,” he said. “Five grandchildren.”
“Good, good. Such a blessing.”
“And you?” he asked.
Her attention searched over his face as if she needed to commit it to memory because she’d be quizzed on every detail. “My husband died two years ago. He was a wonderful man. We had my son and his daughter, then we had twins together. And now twelve grandchildren.”
“Marisol,” he said urgently, as if he couldn’t hold the words back another second, “I’m sorry about what happened way back then. I shouldn’t have let our parents come between us.”
“It was my fault, too. I was scared.”
“I sincerely apologize. I let you down. I—I never thought I’d have the chance to tell you how sorry I am.”
“But you have.”
“I’m so glad.”
“I’m so glad, too. Because now I have the chance to tell you that I’m also sorry for my part in what happened. My Wendell.” She lifted to her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the lips. “It’s such a gift . . . a surprise, undeserved gift, to see you again. The greatest gift.”
Wendell appeared speechless with bliss.
Remy felt an undeniable presence in that hallway. A presence she'd shut away years before. God's presence. And with it His love, grace, kindness, and approval. Not just for Wendell and Marisol, but for her, too.
“Thank you for finding me,” Marisol said to Wendell.
“Thank you for being found,” he said dumbly.
“How did you know where I was?”
“My friend Remy—Remy!” Clearly just now remembering that she was in the vicinity, he turned toward her. Holding one of Marisol’s hands, he used his other to beckon Remy forward. “I’d like to introduce you to my friend Remy Reed. When I explained that I was the saddest person because of you, she’s the one who helped me find you.”
“God bless you,” Marisol said to Remy. “What a treasure you’ve given us.”
“I was delighted to help. Now that I know Wendell has found his way to you, I’ll be going.” She met Wendell’s eyes. “When should I come back for you?”
“How about two hours?” he asked Marisol.
“I expect two hours will give us enough time to decide what our plans are for the rest of the day, the week, the year.” Dimples grooved Marisol’s skin.
“Perfect! I’ll meet you by the outdoor fireplaces in two hours.” Remy hurried to the parking lot, fighting the emotion that was suddenly rising up like flood water and leaking out her eyes in wet tracks. She walked faster and faster.
As soon as she shut herself into her Kia rental car, she covered her face with her hands and cried. Great sobs. All the tears she had not cried when Jeremiah left Islehaven came pouring out. Heart twisting. Grief and loss but also the beauty of what she’d just seen.
You know who wasn’t prioritizing safety and independence over love as she had done? Wendell and Marisol.
They’d let fear separate them back when they’d first fallen for one another. They’d lived a long time since, gained a lot of wisdom. And just now they’d given her a front row seat to what they viewed as important. Relationship.
