“What is wrong?”
“Hmm?” she asked, not realizing she’d just sighed.
Sana placed her hand on her friend’s arm. They’d reached the other end of the bridge and started down the steps. Gina thought it was to help Sana’s balance, but then realized it was to comfort her when she said, “That was a deep sigh and sounded full of regrets.”
Gina forced a smile. “Not regrets, just wondering what could have been.”
“That doesn’t sound like you,” Sana said as she directed them toward the white tents of the farmers’ market.
“People change.”
“They do, yes.” Sana stopped in front of a flower stall. “But, I’m going to repeat something you once told me. Don’t look back. Only move forward. It’s what got me through my escape and the years of recovery after, and it will get you through too. But more importantly,rely on your friends. Your family. Like me.”
Sana hugged Gina, who found sudden, unexpected tears springing to her eyes at her old friend’s affection. “And now,” Sana said, “I’m going to buy some of those Stargazer lilies that smell so lovely.”
“In the language of flowers, pink lilies mean happiness and pink carnations mean a woman’s friendship,” Gina said as she lifted some carnations out of a bucket and handed them to Sana.
“I’d never heard that.” She took them with a smile and added them to her bouquet of lilies.
“My friend Jordan told me. She’s an artist who designs the most amazing gardens.”
“Jordan Summers, yes. I’ve seen some of her work outside Bern. Marvelous.”
“I…miss her. I miss everyone.”
Sana leaned her head against Gina’s shoulder. “You’ll see her again, I know it. This is just a little rest for you before you go back out into the world.”
Instead of answering, Gina let Sana pay for her flowers while she looked over a selection of olives and sun-dried tomatoes at the next stall. She didn’t want to contradict her oldest friend. Gina would never go near Jordan or any of the others again. She didn’t want to endanger them. She wondered how Jordan’s pregnancy was going, if she was over her terrible morning sickness. She would miss Elena and Elissa’s marriages to Camden and Nash, and deeply regretted that. Bette and Tina would put on a wonderful wedding, she knew.
Gina bit her lower lip, trying not to think about how she would miss Tina growing up into a smart, beautiful young woman. She’d never hold Jordan’s baby, or Elena’s, or Rachael’s, or Arden’s.
Maybe Lachlan would have a family one day.
Please move on without me.
She felt Sana’s hand on her shoulder. “Let’s sit there for a while.” She pointed at some tables sitting in front of a café. “I could use some tea, couldn’t you?”
Gina nodded. She let Sana lead her to the table. She couldn’t believe this was the same girl she’d rescued. She seemed wise beyond her years and there was a serene grace to her every movement. She’d found peace and Gina was beyond glad for her friend.
Sana ordered for the both of them while Gina couldn’t help but look around. She’s already spotted Sana’s guards though they did an excellent job of blending in. She didn’t see anyone else who looked suspicious. Gina told herself that she was looking for anyone, but really, there were three faces she dreaded seeing. But so far, she was in the clear.
The waiter brought a tray with tea, chocolates, and pastries and set it down in the center of the table.
“Danke,” Gina and Sana chorused.
Sana pretended to sneak a bite of pastry to Fleur while Gina rolled her eyes and smiled.
“She’s an amazing dog,” Sana said. “I’m having fun spoiling her rotten.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Gina’s tone made her look up from smiling down at Fleur.
“No.”
“No what?”
“She’s your dog, Gina. I’m not taking her.”
