“Sweetheart,” she says, placing her hand on mine. “Let me. I know you aren’t with my son for his money, because I see how uncomfortable you are around it all and how you are going out of your way to pay your way, and it’s very sweet. But one of my love languages, and I have many, is buying gifts,” she explains. “This is my gift to you, to thank you for bringing love and joy back into my son’s heart.” I tear up at her words. “You will never know how much you have saved our boy by loving him. And I hope what happened the other night hasn’t …” She hiccups on her emotions.
Now it’s my turn to reach out to her and place my hand on hers. “That man has saved me, too. I love him with all my heart. And we will get through these challenges together.” Caroline reaches out and hugs me.
“You two.” Everly sniffles as she hugs us both.
90
DERRICK
Our week in St. Moritz has come to an end and our suitcases are fuller, my body is still bruised, and the penthouse is littered with luxury shopping bags that are now coming home with us.
“Time to get up, babe.” Charlie nudges me this morning.
“I reject this reality,” I mumble into my pillow. “Wake me when we’re back in California.”
“You have to get on a plane to get back to California.”
“Tell the plane to come to me,” I grumble.
He laughs, kisses the back of my neck, and drags me upright. “Come on. We’ve got a long day.”
We shuffle out into the living area, where Caroline has already arranged a farewell breakfast like she’s hosting a gala event, pastries, fruit, eggs, three types of bread, and enough coffee to fuel a small European nation.
“Good morning, my loves!” she calls brightly.
Robert looks at me over his mug. “Morning.”
Everly is curled into a chair, wrapped in a blanket like a dramatic Victorian child recovering from an illness. “I don’t want to leave.” She groans.
“Welcome to being an adult,” Faith teases her.
Everly pokes her tongue out at her. Faith is staying on with her parents as they head to Monaco to catch up with friends tomorrow. Apparently, she’s never left the ranch before, but luckily, her bestie is looking after it for her. She happens to be the sister of the neighbor with the wandering bull, who is the bane of her existence.
“I’m going to miss you guys,” she says, hugging me.
“Come to LA anytime.”
“I love you guys, but …” She grins.
“Faith is never coming to LA,” Everly states.
“It’s not you, it’s me.” She laughs.
Understandable.
Caroline clasps her hands together. “We had the best time. Truly. I’m so grateful you came with us, sweetheart,” she says, hugging me. “Having you here felt … right.”
My throat goes tight. “I loved it. Even the skiing. Kind of.”
Charlie snorts.
We gather our bags, pack the last bits, and step into the private elevator one final time. On the drive to Zurich airport, St. Moritz sparkles under fresh snow like a glittering postcard. Charlie holds my hand between us, thumb brushing my knuckles. No words needed. And just like that, our magical time in Switzerland is over, but the memories will stay with me forever.
We are back in LA. The blast of warm air hits us the moment we walk out of LAX. Palm trees. Smog-filtered sunshine. Traffic for as far as the eye can see.
“Home sweet home.” Charlie chuckles.
“I have culture shock,” Everly grumbles as we get into our transfer. I understand what she means, but LA has a certain charm about it.
