Someone To Watch Over Me (Harlequin Super Romance)
Page 26
“Right. When you put it that way, it seems long enough….”
The judge spoke directly to the prosecutor. “Mr. Hayden, in accordance with a new protocol, this is the time the children’s mother can address the guilty party if she so desires.”
The last thing Gabe had imagined was that Isabella would be willing—or able—to face her ex-husband. She shocked him and everyone in her family when she stood and walked straight to where Hayden sat. She cleared her throat a few times, but once she began speaking, her voice rang clear enough. “Our innocent children had no idea how evil you were, Julian. Antonia and Ramon loved you. It was your responsibility to protect them from harm. You violated a beautiful and sacred trust. I hope you live every day of those sixty years, and that you begin and end each one seeing their faces in your warped mind.”
Spinning abruptly, she returned and sat beside Gabe. He realized she’d pulled a five-by-seven photo of the two kids out of her purse and now held it crushed against her heart.
That part of the sentencing left Gabe shaken. He had difficulty following the family out of the building.
“Well, it’s over,” Benito exclaimed. They’d all reached the parking lot after shaking hands with Hayden and his team. “Time to move forward,” the Navarro patriarch said. “Are you two going straight home from here?” He stopped, aiming his query at Gabe and Isabella.
“I ordered flowers,” Gabe muttered, thinking now it was probably a bad idea. “I thought we’d pick them up and drive out to the cemetery. But if Isabella would rather not, she can go with you and I’ll make the trip alone.”
Stepping close, she linked her arm through Gabe’s. “That’s not something anyone should ever do alone.”
Gabe recognized his own words, spoken to her only a few months ago, although it seemed a lifetime.
Midafternoon they arrived at the cemetery. Gabe collected the two vases of flowers, then remembered that the previous time he’d been here, Isabella had preferred to go to the grave site by herself.
“Come with me,” she pleaded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Gabe blinked a few times. His cheeks were wet, he noticed as he set the vases between the pinwheels. There were already fresh roses lying on the ground in front of each small mound.
“I drove out here before dawn,” Isabella said, kneeling to set the picture of two smiling children between Gabe’s bouquets. One was tied with a pink satin ribbon, the other with blue. Taking off the angel pin she always wore, Isabella crossed the ribbon tails. “Someone to watch over Toni and Ramon,” she whispered as she pinned the filigree angel to the ribbons.
Raising a hand, she let Gabe help her to her feet. She automatically slipped an arm around his waist. “There’s no wind today. No turbulence at all. I think, as Papa said, it’s over. Justice has been served. For them and for me.” Pressing her left hand against Gabe’s chest, she raised her face for his kiss. His heart beat firm and strong beneath her fingers, although his cheeks were as damp as hers.
Once the kiss came to a natural end, they stood for several moments with just their heads touching. “In a way, we’re both wounded souls, you and I,” she murmured.
“I’d rather think we’re broken souls who have become whole over time.”
“Yes. Me, too. But I’m not sure I’m ready to say we’ll never face any struggles in the future. For instance…if we decided to have—or adopt—a baby. Or babies.”
Turning slightly, Isabella gazed directly into Gabe’s blue eyes. “But I am ready to travel down the road of life with you. If you still want me,” she said shyly.
What struck Gabe most as he scooped Isabella into his arms and swung her around was her eyes. Because there was life there now. Life and happiness and hope. And love.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-4067-4
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
Copyright © 2003 by Rosaline Fox.
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