“Jack, Taylor, hey, I’m sorry, I can’t.But thank you.”She hurried around them toward her car.
“How about dinner next week?”Jack called.“I want to debrief with you, ask how you’re doing?What are your plans?”
“Can’t, Jack.But thanks.”She took a long stride back to him.“By the way, congrats on Boston Brothers taking you on as Marketing Vice President.You’re going to blow it out of the water.”She hugged him, then Taylor, before spinning away.
At home, she hammered up the stairs, her thoughts well ahead of her heartbeat.Yanking a large suitcase from the hall closet, she tossed it on the bed.
“Choko, where are you when I need you?”
Full of energy, full of wonder, Scottie folded clothes from one drawer after another into the case.She packed her toiletries and loaded up her carry-on bag.Online, she booked a first-class ticket to Port Fressa.It cost the moon, but who cared?Michael was worth it.
It was only after she’d crawled into bed, exhilarated and exhausted, that doubt crept in.Was she really doing this?Hopping a plane without telling anyone?Was she actually going to walk up to the palace door and reach for the polished brass knocker?
“Hi, Mom, I’m home.”
Communication with Kate had been sweet but sporadic.With Michael?Minimal at best.Lately, a series of emojis.
Her heart thumped as she considered her options.Stay home and cling to her safe and former life, such as it was, or take a chance to explore a brand-new life?
Breathing deep, she nestled down on her pillows and slowly drifted away, the events of the evening—Dad dancing with Remi, Cap with Freya, Fritz’s loving advice—melding into a sweet lullaby.She pictured the night of the ball, laughing and dancing with her brothers and the crown heads of the North Sea nations, then with Michael, looking into his eyes, feeling his breath against her cheek, his strength holding onto her.
Suddenly a light filled her room.Startled, she sat up into a glow so like that of the Eye of God.She heard His voice.Emmanuel’s.
“What you’re doing is good.”
A million questions marched through her, but none formed into words.There was no need.He already knew what she wanted to ask, and the answers were within Him.
Trembling, Scottie snatched up her phone to text Kate.
Scottie: Can I come home?
She waited, plopped down against the pillows, a peace blanketing her.When Kate’s ping finally replied, Scottie smiled.
Kate: Yes, darling.Absolutely.
* * *
The next moment it was morning.Or so it seemed.She’d slept so deep and so soundly.Out of bed, she rushed about showering, dressing for travel, texting Dad, Shug, and Fritz, letting them know her plans.
Dad: I’m proud of you.Remi says we’ll fly over for Christmas.
Christmas?Would she be there that long?
Fritz: Shug and I are doing a happy dance.Well, as good as an old man and old woman can do.We’ll miss you but we always knew this day would come.
In the kitchen, bright with steams of sunlight, Scottie made a cup of coffee, called for a car to the airport, texted her housekeeper and lawn maintenance with instructions.The pool still needed to be covered, so she called Ned and asked him to tend to it this week.
At the sliding doors, she took her first sip of coffee and breathed in, awakening a few more rattling nerves.But she was locked in.Committed.In her line of sight, the fall colors had just begun to touch the trees.In a week, Hearts Bend would be ablaze with gold, orange, red, and brown leaves.The season was changing.She was changing.
Finishing her coffee, she washed the cup, put it away, then rolled her luggage to the front door.Taking out her phone, she tapped the screen then hesitated.Should she text Michael?Or let her arrival be a surprise?This trip was about more than Michael.It was about Scottie and the House of Blue.
No.No, this wild hair trip was all about Michael Cross.She loved him more now than she did last night.
Scottie looked up when a distant car door slammed.Was her driver here already?The rideshare app indicated he was still ten minutes away.Scottie checked the driveway through the surveillance cameras to see a black sedan down by the gate and a man walking up the driveway.Didn’t she text the driver the gate code?
Opening the door, she moved to the porch and squinted through the light.The man moved toward her with strong, controlled strides and the confidence of one trained in Her Majesty’s Special Forces.Dark hair flowed loose about his forehead, his deep and piercing blue eyes locked on her.
“Michael?”Scottie jumped off the porch, running toward him, not stopping until she flew into his arms and was locked against him.“You’re here.You’re here!How are you here?”
