by Alexa Verde
Conner was the man she loved.
Maybe this wasn’t the best time to realize it because, right now, her most urgent need was to simply survive.
Lord, please help me. And please forgive me for not fully trusting You before.
“The name you rented this place with... it’s fake, isn’t it?” Her voice dipped to a whisper. “And your blonde hair is a wig? You’ve had plastic surgery, too, right?”
Vanessa shrugged as she put on gloves and a coat and picked up her purse and carry-on. “One has to take precautions. Oh, don’t try to look for a phone.” She waved Gwendolyn’s phone at her. She’d grabbed it from where Gwendolyn had set it down earlier. “I’ve got yours, so no one will see our communications, and you won’t find another phone in the place. I doubt you’ll make it to the road in your condition. There’s a reason I rented a house on the outskirts. No neighbors. No one is going to find you for a while.”
“I told someone I was meeting you here,” Gwendolyn whispered as her eyes fluttered closed and she opened them again.
Vanessa’s forehead wrinkled, and she paused with her hand on the dining room door. “I didn’t think you’d be close enough to anyone for that. Well, no problem. I’ll be long gone by the time anyone comes looking for you. I have an alibi prepared, just in case.”
“Help me, please,” Gwendolyn gasped, as she collapsed to the floor.
Soft fingers groped for her wrist. “Hmm. Still a pulse, but not for much longer. Goodbye, dear sister.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
His heart beating fast, Conner drove up to the place on the outskirts of Cowboy Crossing. He’d called Vera and extracted the address from her with great difficulty. He couldn’t understand why she was so reluctant to give it to him or why she clipped her words with such a sharp tone.
Gwendolyn was meeting her sister this morning. The reunion after so many years should be a joyous event. But something about it had him twitched. It was taking too long. He’d hoped she’d be back at the Clarks by now, but she wasn’t.
He frowned as he sped up and passed a car. He was grateful Liberty agreed to babysit Daisy, and Danica was thrilled for company. Still, the familiar guilt for leaving his daughter, even for minutes, stabbed him. Yet Daisy wanted him to bring Gwendolyn back and kept asking about her.
Then premonition tightened his chest.
He couldn’t let Gwendolyn go.
He had to make one more attempt. He fingered the ring in his pocket. Daisy had made it from wire and a plastic bead instead of gold and diamonds, but he’d gladly buy Gwendolyn a diamond ring later. He just wanted a chance with her.
Was he selfish for wanting a future with Gwendolyn? Could a globe-trotting bodyguard, in danger of being shot anytime, become the mother Daisy needed?
Lord, please guide me.
He needed to see Gwendolyn, to make sure she was all right, and he floored the gas pedal. The rental jerked forward as the motor growled unhappily.
Her words should’ve confirmed everyone he’d loved abandoned him. But now he knew the truth. His father had never abandoned him. He hadn’t known about Conner. His mother, while she’d emotionally checked out a lot, was fully present now and had even shown kindness he didn’t expect.
The Clark family was there for him, though he’d deceived them by omission.
God had never abandoned him, though Conner had believed that when Annika died. Instead, Conner abandoned God all these years.
And maybe, just maybe, Gwendolyn would stay, too. She had feelings for him. He couldn’t be wrong about that. And he didn’t hear any enthusiasm when she’d talked about her new job.
The wail of the siren made him flinch. What... what was going on?
He pulled to the side of the road as an ambulance passed him, lights flashing. The unease in his stomach increased while he pulled back to the road and floored the gas pedal again.
According to the GPS, he was nearing the address. Right around the curve in the road. Which meant...
Cold traveled down his spine. Was the ambulance for Gwendolyn?
Oh no! She was in danger, and he’d let her go meet her sister alone. What was he thinking?
Lord, please help Gwendolyn!
It was a coincidence. It had to be.
But, as he turned the corner, his heart slipped to the brake he pressed on as he drove closer. Already, a bunch of cars had parked on the curb beside the ambulance. Several police cars. Even the car he recognized as Vera’s. The police officers stood near yellow crime-scene tape marking off the area.
He dashed out of the rental as soon as he brought it to the stop, his heart thundering.
It shouldn’t...
It couldn’t...
Then things fell into place. How could he be so blind? It would be easy for a sister to impersonate Gwendolyn at the time of the murder, to put the blame on her in case Vanessa was discovered.
Such a foolish mistake on his part could cost Gwendolyn’s life.
Or...
Had it already? He had to get inside!
But, even before the police officers stopped him, Vera did. “You can’t go inside. You need to let the police do their job.”
He stared through her. He wouldn’t stoop to pushing her aside, so he needed to make her understand. “I have to see Gwendolyn.” He spoke past the lump in his throat. “I need to see her. Please!”
Vera cringed. Her blonde hair, usually braided, was tangled now, and circles around her eyes showed a sleepless night. “I understand. I do. But the police are not going to let you go in anyway.”
Two police officers led a handcuffed strawberry blonde out of the house, her head hung low as they placed her in the patrol car.
He followed her with his gaze, trying to make sense out of the situation. “Is this... is this Gwendolyn’s sister?”
Vera nodded, then brightened as Liberty and Jenna jumped out of Liberty’s truck and rushed to her. Neither one of them had even buttoned their coats.
Liberty hugged him immediately. “Don’t worry about your daughter. My brother is with Daisy. The girls are painting his fingernails right now. Everyone in the family is praying for Gwendolyn. Is she okay?”
Vera turned to her sisters-in-law. “The paramedics are with her now. Chances are, she’ll be okay.”
Conner was able to breathe again. Gwendolyn was alive. There was still hope.
He said the most ardent prayer in his life.
Vera steeled her gaze. “I’ll keep you all posted. And Liberty, I have a few ideas I’ll text you. Now, why don’t you take Conner home?”
He shook his head, planted his feet. “I’m not going to leave.”
Liberty placed her hands on her hips. “If Vera says we need to go and she’ll keep us posted, then she means it. Now, don’t make me carry you.”
He knew his half-sister meant it. Reluctantly, his soul hungry for a glimpse of Gwendolyn, for reassurance she’d survived, he turned away.
* * *
Nostalgia pierced Gwendolyn’s heart while Vera drove her from the police station to the mansion.
Vanessa was under arrest, and the medical personnel had checked Gwendolyn and given her a clean bill of health. After all, she hadn’t swallowed the poisoned tea, except for the first tiny sip. Instead, she’d poured it into a hidden sponge. The concealed pocket in her voluminous black infinity scarf made the perfect place to tuck it. Now the sponge and the scarf were with the police as evidence.
When Vera’s research uncovered that Vanessa’s first husband had died from an allegedly accidental overdose of his heart medication, she’d gone prepared. The sickly sweet tea warned her that she’d been right—extra sugar to cover the bitter drug.
It was over, but she didn’t feel any accomplishment.
All she had to do now was to pack her bags and leave Cowboy Crossing. The children should be safe now, and the mystery was solved.
“Thank you for investigating Vanessa, getting help from the police, and setting up the wire. I couldn
’t have done it without your help.” She sent a grateful glance her friend’s way.
Vera made a turn to the familiar street. “Now that I have the freedom to choose my cases, I like doing my job. Well, except for the part where you sounded like you were dying. You’re a good actress. You scared even me for a minute there.”
Gwendolyn recalled the moment she’d pretended to faint.
Then the moment when her sister had leaned to her—not to help her, but to make sure she didn’t have a pulse—Gwendolyn had jerked Vanessa’s leg, toppling her sibling to the floor.
Cuffing Vanessa’s hands behind her back, while her dear sister was sputtering and screaming, only took a matter of seconds.
Thankfully, Vera had signalled the police to storm inside then, and they’d arrested Vanessa. Then it had taken a while for the paramedics to check Gwendolyn, then for her to give the police officer her statement.
“Nah. I’m far from a good actress. But I was motivated to stay alive. I was afraid at first that Vanessa would hug me and detect the wire. Thankfully, my sister isn’t the hugging type.”
“Unlike my sister-in-law.” Vera slowed around the curve in the road. “I still can’t get used to her bear hugs.” She cleared her throat. “Okay, I’m sort of a messenger here. The family doesn’t want you to leave. Besides, you know the children won’t forgive us if we let you go. Though, of course, we realize the nanny job might not be something you’re looking for. And you do have your dream job on the table.”
Gwendolyn chuckled without mirth. “I had doubts about the job I’m looking for—had them for a while. Conner said my father would be proud of me no matter what I did. My dad would want me to spend my life doing something that makes my heart sing.”
“You have no idea how much I agree with that. Okay, it’s a very far reach, but the grapevine says there’s an opening for a kindergarten teacher. Part-time, though.”
Gwendolyn took a deep breath. And then a soft melody played in her head. Maybe her heart was singing already. “Thank you. You and your family are amazing. I mean, I’m not even related to you—”
Vera lifted her hand. “Please. I have little in the sense of family, too, and they took me in like one of their own. I was told once it’s not about the family you have but about the family God gives you on your journey. I’ve found that to be true. I understand if you leave. You do have a great job offer, and you deserve your dream job. But know you’ll always have a place to come back to.”
“This means so much to me.” Feelings overwhelmed Gwendolyn as they drove up to the mansion.
For some inexplicable reason, she’d expected Conner and Daisy to meet her there, but they hadn’t. Maybe they had left for Houston already. Her stomach tightened.
She’d pushed him away, and there was no way back, no matter how much she wanted there to be.
As she and Vera walked to the front door, Gwendolyn’s heart grew heavy.
Vera opened the door, and Gwendolyn stepped inside an unusually quiet house. She held in a sigh. Vera had exaggerated the family’s affection for Gwendolyn. People didn’t even come to say goodbye to her, and the children hadn’t missed her at all.
Her heart dropped to the hardwood floor, brightly polished, as always. But then, what had she expected? Even her own sister had tried to kill her. The Clark family didn’t owe her anything.
It was time to go then. She was going to turn down the offer for the job she’d once dreamed about and apply for a kindergarten teacher’s position in Springfield. Or just take her time to consider what she wanted to do next.
She’d miss all of them. But apparently, she wasn’t going to be missed.
Her eyes prickled, and she blinked fast. She should’ve been used to goodbyes. Even if no one besides Vera had bothered to say goodbye.
“Let’s go to the backyard while we’re still dressed warm.” Vera gestured toward the door.
Sniffling, Gwendolyn followed her.
As she stepped into the backyard, her jaw slackened.
“Surprise!” everyone screamed.
The adults held up a Welcome Home sign while the children... This couldn’t be right. Gwendolyn blinked fast again, doing her best to clear her blurry vision.
Four children held up a poster board each, Daisy grinning most of all.
WILL
YOU
MARRY
ME?
A snowwoman in the middle of the yard had the same sign in bright pink letters matching her hat.
Conner walked to Gwendolyn, carrying Marshmallow. “I just want you to know I love you—”
“Daddy, you’re supposed to say ‘We love you.’” Daisy’s grin widened.
“Right. Daisy and I love you. With all our hearts. We want you to be part of our family. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Struggling to believe what was happening, Gwendolyn could only gape.
Was this all for real?
“I understand if you want to become part of the elite international bodyguard firm. If you want to travel the world. I won’t stand in the way of your dream job,” he continued, his eyes inquiring.
She finally found her voice. “It’s not my dream job any longer.” She whispered in a low voice as she leaned to him, inhaling the scent of happiness and intoxicating cologne. “There’s often a danger of being shot at. I don’t particularly like being shot at.”
Well, once she was stabbed with a knife. She didn’t particularly like that, either. “I do like spending time with children,” she said much louder.
“Yay!” the children screamed, and Danica high-fived Daisy.
Gwendolyn looked into his eyes where she found love, trust, and acceptance. “As for traveling the world, this small town is more than enough for me. You, my darlings, are my world. What else could I wish for?” She kissed a beaming Daisy.
Danica elbowed Daisy. “You can say it now.”
“Oh yes.” Daisy perked up. “How about a little brother or sister for me?”
Heat crept up Gwendolyn’s cheeks.
Conner cleared his throat. “I’d love that, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We need to get married first.”
“Okay, but then you’re gonna work hard on the little brother or sister.” Clearly, Daisy wouldn’t let that part go anytime soon.
A simple handmade ring gleamed on the cat’s collar, and Gwendolyn’s heart nearly stopped when he removed it, then passed Marshmallow to Liberty.
He dropped on one knee. “Gwendolyn, will you marry me? Will you make me the happiest man alive? I understand if you need to think about it—”
“I don’t,” she interrupted him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I didn’t truly live before I met you. I was afraid to experience things, feel too much, get too close to people. I got hurt so much before that I stayed outside, watching life through a window. You and the children taught me to laugh again, sing, walk tall, and breathe with my entire lungs.” She took a deep breath of frosty air as if to confirm it. “I love you with my whole heart. I can’t wait to marry you.”
“I love you so much.” He kissed her, filling her heart with more joy than she’d thought she could handle.
Everyone shouted congratulations as he slipped the ring on her finger, and Marshmallow meowed loudly.
Through the happy fog, Gwendolyn heard Daisy say, “And now we don’t have to share Marshmallow. We can all live together.”
Danica’s cousin—well, Daisy’s cousin, too—said with an air of importance. “I’m gonna have a little brother and a sister soon. I can share them until you get your own, Daisy.”
Gwendolyn couldn’t help laughing. Joy shared multiplied, and sorrow shared diminished. She couldn’t wait to share it all with this big, boisterous family.
* * *
A week later.
Gwendolyn stole a glance around the restaurant dining table where she and Conner had their first date. Her heart—and okay, her stomach—was full. The scents of barbecue a
nd french fries hung in the air, just like then.
Her wedding ceremony was exactly like in her vision, only better. Jenna had helped sew the wedding gown from Gwendolyn’s dream. Vera, Jenna, Heather, and Liberty became her bridesmaids, looking scrumptious in long-sleeved caramel-hued dresses. Danica and Daisy were the flower girls, of course, and they’d spread petals with the same generosity Gwendolyn had once poured sprinkles on cookies.
Landon and Nehemiah carried the pillow with the ring together.
The children said Marshmallow was a contender to be a ring bearer, too, but thankfully, the boys were too eager to do it. Jenna’s friend who had a bridal studio did the photos and a video recording, and somehow, the cat turned out in many pictures, thankfully, with a smile.
The winter wedding meant everyone had to wear their coats outside. But Gwendolyn couldn’t wait to be married to Conner—no way was she waiting until spring. Besides, spring bloomed in her heart already.
White ribbons and bouquets, homey food, and friendly smiles bedecked the restaurant for their reception. More than a wedding celebration, it felt like a homecoming. Amazing the family could make reservations and preparations in such a short time, but nothing about this family—her family?—should surprise her any longer.
Her Christmas wishes came true as if God gave them all to her at once, even what she hadn’t asked for.
While she still missed her father terribly and was heartbroken over the revelation about her sister, Gwendolyn had her closure. And she could stop blaming herself for leaving him alone that evening. Her sister would’ve found another opportunity.
Gwendolyn’s chest constricted, but then Conner covered her hand with his. The tightness loosened as pleasant tingles traveled from his touch all the way to her heart. Overwhelming love expanding her rib cage, she smiled up at him, so handsome in his tuxedo.
