Julia felt her eyes brighten with tears. "I can't begin to tell all of you what this means to me. Twenty years ago I was two months away from being a bride when… my life changed, and I'm every bit as excited as I was then, except the man I was going to marry doesn't come close to being the man Mario is, so it was definitely worth the wait."
"Speaking of which, when will he be back from San Francisco?" Kit asked.
Julia glanced toward the window. "I hope soon," she said wistfully. "I feel like he's been gone forever, and it's only been a day."
"Then you're really okay, moving to San Francisco?" Kit asked.
For a few moments Julia said nothing, the question catching her off guard, but not wanting them to think she was anything but happy about the move, she said, "I've waited twenty years to be with Mario, and wherever I am with him, I'll be happy."
"So it's settled," Sophie said. "Butterflies are our theme, and we'll plan the party for a week from today." She looked at Julia, brows gathered. "You never said when you're getting married."
"Soon," Julia replied. "We want to start the adoption process, and we want to be married when we do. Maybe in a couple of weeks."
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Maureen, who was holding a small box.
"Honey," Maureen said, "this is something my Adam commissioned an artist to make for you." She offered the box to Julia, who opened it and found a small silver ring with a tiny sliver of moon on it.
"I don't understand," Julia said. "You've had this since I was a baby?"
"Yes," Maureen replied. "It was something Adam and I intended for you to have on your christening. We were there, and you were a beautiful baby."
"Then why didn't you give it to my folks?" Julia asked, while admiring the small ring, which fit perfectly on her little finger.
"Because when Adam went to pick it up, we learned that the artist died suddenly, right after he'd finish it. I didn't want to give you something made by a man who'd just died, so we got you a silver spoon instead, and I put the ring away, but now I want you to have it."
Julia held out her hand to admire the ring. "I'll wear it forever." She stood and hugged Maureen, who said, "Then long after your grandfather and I are gone, it will be a reminder that you've been a part of this family since the day you were born. And now I'll leave you young folks because I have a pot roast cooking on the stove."
Grace stood, and after giving Julia a hug, she said, "I hope one day in the near future, you and Mario will live close by so Sergei and Irina will also be a part of this ranch. They'll need Grandma Grace and Grandpa Jack in their lives."
"I know, and as soon as Mario retires, we'll be back. He's already talking about having a small acreage nearby."
Jayne also hugged her, while saying, "The kids will need great Aunt Jayne and Great Uncle Sam too."
After the older women left, and while the others were gathered around Julia to admire the little ring, they were distracted by the sound of Julia's car pulling to a halt alongside the cabin. Julia glanced out the window and smiled. Sophie looked in the direction of Julia's gaze, and said. "Okay, ladies, I think we've just overstayed our welcome."
They were all in the process of putting on their jackets when Mario walked into the cabin, unannounced, and pausing in the doorway, he said to Julia, "Sorry, I thought you were alone."
Julia looked at him, thinking he was even more handsome than when she first laid eyes on him. Ruggedly handsome would be the words she'd use to describe him. And amazingly… kissable. And the way he was looking at her, she could almost feel his arms around her. It was an urgent feeling, like he was having trouble holding back, and she felt her heart beating heavily, her lips were so dry she had to pass her tongue along them, and her breath seemed trapped in her chest, just thinking of how it would be when they would finally be alone…
"Oh, go ahead and kiss him," Maddy said. "It's not like every woman in this room doesn't have the hots for her husband." She gave Julia a nudge, and Julia walked into Mario's arms, which closed around her, and when he kissed her, Julia was aware of nothing but the feel of his lips on hers, and the thought that she would go anywhere, and do anything, just to be with him and have him kiss her the way he was, and hold her in his arms, and make love to her.
When the kiss finally ended, Julia looked around and saw that the women had left the cabin and were walking off, while laughing and glancing back over their shoulders.
Focusing on Mario again, she said, while remaining in his arms with her hands around his neck, "This was the longest two days in my life. You have no idea how much I missed you."
"I guarantee it wasn't as much as I missed you," Mario replied. "This can't happen again."
"I know, and it won't. How did everything go in San Francisco?" Julia asked.
"About as expected," Mario replied. "They wanted me there as soon as possible."
"So then, when will we be moving?" Julia asked.
"Never," Mario replied.
"I don't understand."
"I turned down the job."
Julia stared at him. "But, why?"
"I decided I don't want us to live in San Francisco," Mario said. "If everything works out with the adoption, we'll have two kids to raise, and I want us to raise them where there will be family. The only family Irina and Sergei have is in Russia, and they need family here, and a small-town environment is better for raising kids."
Julia felt like her head was spinning. After days and nights of struggling to come to terms with moving to a place where she'd never stop worrying, it was almost too much to take in. "What about your job?" she asked.
"I have a plan," Mario replied. "One good thing about being single, forty-five, and having never invested in a home… I have a stockpile of money saved up because I never had anything to spend it on, so I figure we could start a boxing academy and conditioning gym."
"Then you're quitting your job with the Marshals Service?" Julia asked.
"It's called retirement," Mario replied.
Julia looked at him, uncertainly. "You were against retirement before."
"That's when I was a single guy. Now, I'm about to have a family so things have changed."
Julia wasn't sure she believed him. "Before you left, you told me you hoped I was being truthful with you about moving to San Francisco, because you didn't want us to start our lives together not being up front with each other, and I want the same from you."
"Okay, you're right," Mario said. "But you weren't up front with me either, were you?"
"What do you mean?"
"About moving to San Francisco. That's what triggered your dream and night sweats. You were looking at photos after the last earthquake. It was on your computer screen when I walked into the cabin, but I didn't remember seeing it until I was in San Francisco and saw the same photo in the newspaper."
Julia hated that Mario knew. "I can adjust to living there," she said. "You don't have to give up the chance to be where you want to be when you retire."
"I am where I want to be when I retire," Mario said. "When I realized what you were going through, I knew your fears were valid, and I couldn't put you through the move. But when I started looking at my options—having you as my wife and Irina and Sergei as our kids—everything fell into place, so what I just told you is what I want. Our kids do need family, and I do want to start a boxing academy, and whenever you have night sweats I want it to be because we just finished having the hottest sex ever, and if I come to you in a dream afterwards, we'll be going at it again, and you'll wake up, hot and bothered, and wake me up too, and you'll have another round of night sweats, the good kind, and that won't happen in San Francisco."
Looking up at him, Julia said, "I have to assume you're being honest with me, and if you're not, at least you've presented a sound argument for living here, but before I give my wholehearted support, I want to know more about this boxing academy you're talking about."
"It would be all about empowerment, giving peopl
e the tools to go far beyond what they think they can do. The focus would be on overall conditioning, endurance, and confidence. Cardio boxing would be a non-contact, fast-paced class with no sparring. Clients would warm up, hit heavy bags, and get a core workout while learning proper punching technique, footwork, defensive maneuvers, and counter punching. But we'd also have combat conditioning and work with partners on ducking, slipping, blocking and foot work. I'm looking at this as something for kids and adults alike, both male and female, plus I'd want to include self-defense for women, and you'd be my prize pupil."
Julia found herself enthusiastic because the boxing academy Mario described was all about empowerment, the kind of empowerment that was giving her control over her life again. The odd thing was, she actually liked boxing, something she would never have dreamed of embracing in her life. "I know this might sound silly," she said, "but boxing's the only sport I've ever been even close to being good at. But what about Sergei and the marbles tournament? Will you have time for that too?"
"Yeah, that's going to be a hoot," Mario said. "I want to see the name, Sergei Moretti, in that National Marbles Hall of Fame, right along with mine."
"What about Irina?" Julia asked. "You said she was a natural."
Mario smiled. "Yeah, she'll be there too. I'm also willing to bet she'll be a scrappy little boxer when she learns about empowerment."
Julia tightened her arms around Mario's neck, kissed him soundly, and said, "Jeremy's only half right. Everyone does need a U.S. Marshal managing their life, but they also need a guardian angel, and you'll never convince me you're not mine."
Mario laughed. "So, what do you have when an angel gets horny?"
"Come in the shower and find out, and I'll wash your wings while we're there, among other things." Julia took his hand and headed for the bath.
EPILOGUE
Dancing Moon Ranch – four years later
Maureen saw a figure standing in the light, a masculine presence, but with no distinct features. Light seemed to emanate from him, and the rays that shone around him made her feel protected, and loved. But then his features sharpened. "Adam!"
He moved toward her. "You were expecting the devil, perhaps?" His voice was exactly as she remembered, and his smile too, roguishly teasing.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"Between two worlds," Adam replied. He moved closer. His body seemed oddly translucent, and she could see dimly through him. Beyond were snowcapped mountains, with slopes covered in flowers of vivid colors, unlike anything on earth, and there was foliage of indescribable beauty. Gradually the landscape became familiar, and she realized it was the Dancing Moon Ranch. But she felt like an outsider now, a homesick stranger that belonged someplace else. Someplace with Adam. "Then I'm not dead?" she asked.
"No, honey, you're not dead but…" Adam paused and sighed. "You don't have to come with me, but the family's doing fine now. You've served them well and they're here to tell you goodbye. But I've been waiting for you, and it's time."
Yes, it was time, Maureen conceded. Howard had been gone almost six months, and Adam was waiting. Her Adam. Her love. Her life. She reached toward him. "I'm coming," she started to say, but her words were cut short when she felt a solid hand take hers.
"Mom, it's Jack. You've had a another little stroke but you'll be okay. Everyone's here." She recognized Jack's voice and wanted to open her eyes but was afraid if she did, Adam would be gone, and she wanted to be with him.
Jack's big hands enfolded hers. "Jeremy, Billy and the kids are on their way here from the National Finals," he continued. "Wildcard was undefeated, and Jeremy rode his bull, and they want to tell you about it."
Maureen smiled. She never doubted Jeremy wouldn't make it to the Finals, or that he'd ride whatever bull he drew, and it was good he hadn't drawn Wildcard because if he'd stayed on that bull, Billy would have been disappointed...
"Honey, I'm waiting," Adam's voice came again. "You'll like it here. There are others. Howard and Evie, and little Jackie."
Maureen felt torn between the two worlds, wanting to stay with the family she loved, but feeling a stronger pull to go to Adam and pass with him into the light beyond, with its delicate, shifting hues of colors.
She heard a bark and saw a dog racing toward her, a golden retriever she recognized as Pumpkin, the dog Jack got the kids years ago. He too was slightly translucent, but when he licked her face she could smell his doggy breath, and sense his joy at being with her again. Then he turned and loped toward Adam, and the sensation of wanting to follow was overwhelming. She tried to move toward them but felt a hand on her shoulder, which aggravated her. Yet, where she was she felt loved, her sense of well-being complete...
"Great Grandma." The hand on her shoulder was that of a young person. She wanted to pat it, but when she tried, nothing happened. "I don't know if you can hear me, but it's Jesse."
She opened her eyes and saw Grace and Jack's first born. "Adam?" she said the word aloud and heard her own voice, which was a little startling.
"No, Great-grandma. Adam's my dad. I'm Jesse."
She looked at him more closely and saw that it was Adam's son, and Emily's. He was a handsome boy, like both his father and grandfather had been at that age, and like his great-grandfather was still. She looked again at Adam, who stood in his misty cloud, his body slightly lucent, but solid enough to see he was as handsome as the day he asked her to marry him.
Adam looked at her in amusement. "And you're as beautiful as when you said you'd marry me, and even the moon danced."
Maureen laughed. "You were hopelessly romantic then."
"I still am," Adam said. "Time doesn't dim memories, not when you're on this side."
Maureen was suddenly hit with the realization that Adam hadn't aged since she last saw him, as if time stood still, and she wondered why he'd want to be with an old woman…
"Honey, you're giving me that look you get when you're disturbed," Adam said. "Am I in trouble for coming for you?"
"No, but I'm a lot older than you now."
Adam laughed, his wonderful rolling laugh she loved, just as deep, just as playful. "There's no time here, no boundaries. You'll be young forever. We'll go to the spring." With Adam's words came the faint sounds of music, or maybe voices. She glanced around and saw shimmering water surrounding her, like she was immersed in it, clear and radiant, and alluring, and she realized the music was the voices in the spring, soft and serene, the way it was when she and Adam made love there…
"We can do that too," Adam teased, and gave her a wicked grin.
"I'm thinking you are the devil, leading me into temptation," she kidded, and wished she could playfully swat his butt, the way she once did…
"Mom, it's Sam," a familiar voice came between her and Adam, not an unwelcome voice, but she'd been enjoying the repartee with Adam and didn't want it to stop. "You're in Rick's old room. Jayne and I placed the bed so you can look out the window and see the bird feeders. Sergei put them all together for you. He's right here."
Maureen tried to open her eyes but it took too much effort, but hearing Sergei's name warmed her. She was glad Howard had still been with them when Sergei won the marbles tournament. Howard was so proud of him, even though Sergei wasn't his great grandson by blood. But blood didn't matter. Just like it didn't matter with Marc, and Becca, and Irina. She couldn't help smiling when thinking about Irina, so smart and full of fun, and the apple of her daddy's eye, just like Maddy had been with Jack.
She felt someone gently running fingers through her hair and opened her eyes momentarily to see Julia, and Mario standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders. When Julia moved her hand away, she caught the glint of the tiny ring on her little finger, which made her smile.
"You gave us a scare," Julia said. "The kids at school did reports on their grandparents today, and Irina told them about you. But she'll tell you all about it when she gets home."
Maureen shut her eyes again, but the awareness of loving, carin
g beings hovering around her remained, and their presence was warm and nurturing. During the day she'd heard the voices of different family members, Jack and Grace, and Sam and Jayne, and their grown kids and their families, even those from eastern Oregon, and a whole pack of great-grandkids, family members so different from each other, all special in their own way. Yet, she still wanted to be with Adam.
His voice was closer now. "If you want to come with me, you have to let go," he said.
She focused her attention on him again and reached toward where he stood, the same magnificent figure of a man he'd always been, but now translucent clouds moved around him, their colors shifting, a scene of unimaginable beauty, and peace, with Adam the focus of it, her Adam. But he wasn't moving toward her, and when she reached out, nothing happened.
"How do I get to you?" she asked. "You're out of reach."
"That's because you're still clinging to life. You have to step off the edge and let go."
"Step off what edge? How? The earth is round."
"The edge of life," Adam said.
"You won't let me fall?"
"Never, sweetheart."
Then she was aware of his immense presence coming toward her, bathed in shimmering light, and when he reached out this time, she felt the warmth of his breath against her face, and his arms closing around her. An ecstasy and a joy permeated her whole being, unfolding beyond anything she had ever experienced, except those precious years when she'd shared a life with him. But now she was home, again in his arms, and when he took her hand and pulled her forward and into infinity, she smiled…
"Mom!" it was Jack's voice again.
There was no answer, only the smile that would never change, and the hand that reached out momentarily, before resting peacefully on the bed.
###
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Finding Justice (Dancing Moon Ranch Book 12) Page 23
