Dad knocks softly on the open bedroom door.
“Can I do anything to help?”
“No, I think I have everything.”
He leans against the doorframe.
“Did you find what you sought at Haworth?”
“I did.”
In my mind’s eye, I see Philip at windy Top Withens. He’s peaceful. Watching.
I blink away the tears, take a deep breath.
“Dad, it was like walking a labyrinth. I didn’t have a destination. But the path changed me and brought me peace.”
“I believe you, Lizzie.”
As I straighten up the bed, fluffing the pillows, I catch his eye. “Ms. Fernsby says you’re not in any hurry to leave.”
Dad reddens. He was crazy about Mom. But I’ve never seen him in the flush of a new romance. It’s sweet.
“It doesn’t make sense to fly home right now. It’s only me there.”
“You can stay here as long as you want, Dad.”
“We’re getting along well.”
“It’s okay, Dad. It doesn’t mean you love Mom any less. You’ll always love her.”
His lip quivers. In my almost-forty years, I’ve never seen him cry. He takes off his glasses, dabs the corners of his eyes.
“Thank you, Lizzie.”
Henry, Heathcliff, and I leave by midmorning to make it to Heathrow. It’s all hugs and goodbye kisses in the parlor. Ms. Fernsby vigorously embraces me and Henry. I hug Dad before he gives Henry a professional goodbye handshake. Heathcliff tries to hug Lucy, and she hisses, swipes at him with sharp, curved claws. As I whisk Heathcliff out the door, Ms. Fernsby thrusts an enormous bag of dairy-free toffee into his hands, and we’re off.
From the last page ofBlood Ties:
“Youreyedoctor?” Penny asks through tears.
“I had to tell you,” Hall says, packing. “I don’t want tolie to you. At least not anymore. From the start, you knew what I’m like.”
A stinging slap. Ouch. He supposed he deserved that.
Her gaze is furious. “Ah... so now that you’ve delivered your Copycat Strangler to Scotland Yard, you’ve caught your mouse and now you’re done with Tintern and with me! We’reover?”
“I told you, Penny. We’ve had a good run, and yes, it’s over.” He zips up the suitcase. “I’m sorry. I can’t change who I am.”
“No, you can’t. But mind me, you’ve destined yourself to a hard road. I don’t know when, but someone sometime will break your bloody heart, and when that happens, it will breakyou.”
FromThe Heathcliff Saga:
As she pins the freshly washed bed linens to the clothesline, Nelly glares at Cathy walking home from the moors. She sees how the lass’s cheeks are reddened from the wind and Linton’s charms.
“You’ve been out to the cave again, haven’t ye?”
Cathy turns her nose up impudently. “And so what if I have?”
