by Ciana Stone
Chapter Ten
It seemed like a lifetime had passed since she’d seen the familiar sights of home. After the incident in the underground parking garage, she and Morgan had spent more than a week answering questions, filling out statements, and then being honored by the presidential candidate for single-handedly capturing the would-be assassin.
Sara didn’t much care for the attention and was relieved when they finally were delivered via private jet back to home soil. Due to all that had happened, they’d been given time off to rest before they returned to Washington to finish out the assignment.
Sara sat beside Morgan as he drove, noting the changes. In the months they’d been gone, the riot of autumn color had faded to the dark muted tones of winter, the bare branches of trees standing stark against a faded sky.
“You want to go to your place or mine?” Morgan asked.
“Actually, I’d like to go to Nadine’s if that’s okay with you.”
“Whatever you want,” he said with a smile and reached over to take her hand.
She smiled and leaned back, enjoying the drive. When they pulled up in front of Nadine’s house, she was suddenly full of excitement. She’d never brought anyone home to meet Nadine. There had never been anyone that special.
“Come on!” She jumped out of the car as soon as it came to a stop and ran around to open Morgan’s door and take his hand.
“Nadine!” she called out as she pulled Morgan up the front steps. “Nadine?”
The door opened and Nadine flung her arms around Sara. “Oh honey!”
They hugged and cried for a few moments then Sara drew back. “Nadine, you know Morgan.”
“Why yes, I do,” Nadine smiled and reached to take Morgan’s hand. “I would imagine the whole country knows the two of you by now. My goodness, my pumpkin a hero. Oh forgive me for going on so. Nice to see you again, Morgan.”
“Thanks,” Morgan said with an answering smile. “I guess this is probably the time I should declare my intentions toward your daughter?”
Nadine chuckled. “Well, if you’re going to be declaring, I think we should go inside. I have a nice pot of tea all ready.”
Sara winked at Morgan’s surprised expression and they followed Nadine inside. After they were all seated at the kitchen table, with steaming cups of tea in front of them, Nadine turned to Morgan.
“Now about these intentions…”
Morgan smiled and reached over to take Sara’s hand. “I intend to marry Sara.” He paused and looked at Sara. “If you’ll have me.”
“Oh I’ll definitely have you,” Sara replied with a laugh.
“So?” Morgan looked at Nadine.
Nadine’s smile faded. “Before I can say yes, there is something we need to do.”
“What?” Morgan looked crestfallen at her reply.
“We need to make sure those voices are silenced. Permanently.” She didn’t wait for a reply but got up and left the room.
Morgan looked at Sara. She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Just trust a little, okay?”
“I trust you with my life,” he replied solemnly
She gave his hand another squeeze and then looked up as Nadine entered the room. In her hand was something Sara never expected. Nadine set the box down in the center of the table and looked at Morgan.
“In this box is the cure.”
“What is it?” Morgan asked.
Nadine looked to Sara. “I think it’s time you told him, pumpkin.”
“Told me what?” Morgan asked.
Sara smiled, took a sip of tea and started the tale. By the time she finished telling him what happened during the shooting, and what she’d learned in her visit with Danu about his father, the tea was cold and Morgan was staring at her like someone who was shell-shocked. She pushed the box over in front of him. “Open it.”
His hands visibly trembled as he opened the box. One look inside and tears streamed down his face. Sara got out of her chair to crouch beside him. “You know what that is, don’t you?”
He looked up at her and smiled through his tears. “Yeah. I do. It’s love.”
She nodded and hugged him. “You’re a very special man, Morgan. You inspire great love.”
“Amen,” Nadine added.
Morgan sat there for a few moments, taking it all in. The weight he’d carried almost his entire life had vanished. All of the secrets had been revealed, and he knew in his heart that the voices were gone. Now he could live and love and be happy.
“Great enough love to let me marry your daughter?” he suddenly asked Nadine.
She laughed and reached out to take his hand. “Absolutely.”
“Yes!” Morgan grinned and pulled Sara onto his lap. “Okay, what’s next?”
“Next?” she asked with a chuckle. “Well, next is the happily ever after. You think you’re up for that, Mr. Nicholaus?”
“Oh yeah,” he laughed and hugged her. “Bring it on, baby. Bring it on.”
About the Author
Ciana Stone has been reading since the age of three, and wrote her first story at age five. Since then she enjoyed writing as a solitary form of entertainment, before coming out of the closet to share her stories with others. She holds several post graduate degrees and has often been referred to as a professional student. Her latest fields of interest are quantum mechanics and Taoism. When she is not writing (or studying) she enjoys painting (canvas, not walls), sculpting, running, hiking and yoga. She lives with her longtime lover in several locations in the United States.
Ciana welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Ciana Stone
Acid Rayne with Nathalie Gray
An Unwanted Hunger
Cougar Challenge: Cam’s Holiday
Hearts of Fire 1: Memory’s Eye
Hot in the Saddle 1: Chase ‘n’ Ana
Hot in the Saddle 2: Molding Clay
Hot in the Saddle 3: Scout ‘n’ Cole
Hot in the Saddle 4: Conn ‘n’ Caleb
Riding Ranger
Saturday Night Fever
Sexplorations: Finding Her Rhythm
Sexplorations: The Thing about Cowboys
Sexplorations: Working Up a Sweat
The Hussies: A Taste for Jazz
The Hussies: Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
The Hussies: Sin in Jeans
Wyatt’s Chance
Also see Ciana’s release at Cerridwen Press (www.cerridwenpress.com):
That Which Survives
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
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