Chapter Twenty-Seven
Labor Day weekend in Fire Lake meant one thing: the carnival. It was three days of music, food, rides, fun, and families. Tourists flocked to the town for one last blast of summer, while the locals welcomed them — and their tourist dollars — with open arms.
Saturday was country music day, and there’d been a steady stream of folks filling up the downtown area since early morning.
They were enjoying the warm weather and sun, shopping at the artisan center, while kids played games and rode the rides.
Later, there would be rotating bands offering music, while Food Alley was filled with booths from various places, both local and from out of town, selling all kinds of food.
The Dock had one set up to sell their award-winning shaved beef sliders and dill pickle French fries.
“My God, I’m going to miss these.” Cassidy smiled and stuffed two more fries into her mouth as she sat on the table beside their booth.
Faith’s stomach was upset, and she made a face. “I for one would be happy never to smell grease again.”
“Hard to do working at The Dock.” Cassidy glanced her way. “Are you going to keep working there?”
That was the one question she’d been asking herself for days now.
The Justice Department had done a thorough forensic accounting of her trust and, not surprisingly, found that most of the monies inside the trust had been gained illegally.
All but the initial ten million, of which they had no claim.
That money was free and clear to be used by Faith — who had also been cleared of any wrongdoing.
“I think so,” she said. “I like it there.”
Cassidy shrugged. “I leave for school on Monday and can’t wait. I don’t think I’ll come back next summer, either. I want to go to New York City. I want excitement. I want a hot man with big hands, you know?” She giggled. “What about you? It’s been weeks since Gus left.”
Luckily, she was saved from answering when Samantha and Hal rolled up with extra supplies. They’d been doing brisk business since eleven o’clock.
“Nora and Paul will be here to take over at four.” Samantha redid her ponytail. “Do you have your cell phone on you?”
“Always,” Cassidy replied.
“I meant Faith.”
“Oh, no. Sorry it was dead this morning and I forgot it on the charger.” She frowned. “Did you need something?”
“Just that Candy called me. She’d been trying to get a hold of you. She had a bit of an issue and is at the hospital, but Taco should be fine on his own for a bit.”
“Oh my God. Is she okay?”
“I think so,” Samantha replied. “Something to do with her heart but she expects to be home later tonight at the earliest. Maybe tomorrow.” Samantha eyed the crowds.
“I don’t think they’re going to let up. Why don’t you take off now?
Go home and get Taco. I’ll stay with Cassidy until the other two show up. ”
“Are you sure?”
“I am.” The woman smiled and pulled on an apron. “Besides. You look a little pale.”
“Her stomach is off.” Cassidy volunteered.
“Go then. I’ll see you later.”
Faith grabbed her bag and a bottle of water. She felt terrible about Candy but wasn’t overly concerned for Taco. The dog was used to Candy’s place and was probably sleeping on the large dog bed her landlord had bought the first week she’d been in Fire Lake.
She walked through the carnival and was almost clear of it when she spied Ford and Benjamin.
The boy was clearly begging his father for a piece of cotton candy, and Ford was not giving in.
She almost walked over to say hello but felt funny knowing the private things she knew.
Instead, she turned the other way and took a different street that led up to the other side of Main.
From there, she made her way leisurely to Cedar.
Each step that brought her closer to Lawson House was weighted down with memories.
How was it possible to have made so many in such a short time?
She allowed herself to think of his name just this once, and to wonder where he was, what he was doing, who he was doing what with.
Still worried sick over Candy in the hospital and feeling more than a little sorry for herself, she trudged up the steps and into the house.
It was cool and dark with the blinds drawn.
Carefully, she made her way to Candy’s apartment and grabbed the key from under the bowl on the table in the hall.
She let herself inside and Taco greeted her with a wagging tail and kisses.
She took him outside, and after he was done sniffing and doing his duties, she headed back inside and climbed the stairs to her apartment.
As always, the sight of Gus’s door brought with it the kind of pain that made her want to stay in bed all day and cry and eat marshmallows and candy and watch Gilmore Girls on repeat.
She gave in to those feelings for a couple of seconds and then walked into her apartment.
While Taco ran for his water bowl, she went to her bathroom and splashed cold water on her face as she gazed into the mirror.
The image that stared back at her looked tired. There were blue smudges beneath her eyes, and her skin didn’t glow like it should. Maybe she was coming down with the flu. Or maybe she was just sad.
She let her hair down and changed into a simple sundress. No way was she going to stay home and wallow in self-pity. She was better than that.
Faith took exactly two steps out of her bedroom before she remembered her cell phone. She scooped it from the table beside her bed and headed to the living room. Her plan was to fill her water bottle, eat some crackers or something to settle her stomach and go back to the carnival.
She was in the process of filling up her bottle when her cell phone pinged. And pinged. And then pinged some more.
She set the bottle on the counter and grabbed the phone.
The messages were from Candy. There was another from Samantha.
But it was the next name that made her stomach roll so badly that she thought she was going to be sick.
Gus. She saw that he’d messaged her earlier and it was only coming through now.
I’m coming home.
Oh God. Her heart leaped into her mouth, and she had to sit down because her legs were limp, like her muscles had gone to mush. Her fingers were numb as she rolled over the screen and bit her lip.
It was then that she noticed the three little dots that meant he was typing. She held the phone so tightly her fingers ached and never took her eyes off the device. Heck, she didn’t think she blinked. Or took a breath.
Where are you?
Nervous, she couldn’t make her fingers do what her brain wanted them to do, and it took nearly a minute for her to send a simple answer.
Home. Where are you?
The three dots appeared again, and she went from hot to cold to hot again. Taco whimpered. Or maybe it was Faith. And when she read his reply, she nearly lost her lunch.
At your door.
She glanced up as the handle turned and when Gus appeared in her doorway, she launched herself at him.
He wrapped his arms around her, and she buried her nose into his chest. It felt like home, and try as she might, she couldn’t articulate the thoughts in her brain.
All she could do was cling to this man with all her might because, this time, she wasn’t letting go.
“Hey,” he said roughly, cradling her face in his hands so that she was forced to look up at him. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long time without saying a word, and then he dropped a soft, quiet kiss to the corner of her mouth. He rested his forehead against hers.
“I had to travel the world to find out that the only place I want to be is here. With you.” He moved so that she could see him.
“I love you, Faith. And that’s something I don’t say lightly.
In fact, I’ve never said it before. I’ve never been in love before.
Never wanted a woman so bad she’s the only thing I see when I close my eyes.
The only voice I remember when it’s quiet and that alone feels so big I can’t stand it.
” He leaned forward and breathed into her. “I love you.”
“I love you,” she replied, kissing him back with all the passion and hunger inside of her. “I have loved you since before you left. I loved you enough to let you go because I thought it was what you wanted and I—”
He angled his head back, his face serious. “I want to make a life with you.”
“Here?” she asked. “What about your family?”
Gus leaned down once more. He pulled her close and rested his chin on top of her head. She loved the strength in him. The warmth. The desire.
“We’ll figure it out. At the end of it all, we’re family.” His hands crept up to her waist. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Maybe you should ask me what my plans are for the rest of the weekend.”
He grinned, and the love she felt expanded even more. It was big and wild and exciting, and she was so happy she could barely keep it contained.
“What are your plans for the rest of the weekend?” he asked before running his tongue along her neck.
“I thought I’d spend it in bed.” She stepped out of his embrace, a wicked smile on her face. “With you.”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
“Think you can keep up?”
“I’m willing to give it a shot.” He grinned wickedly.
Faith spent the entire weekend holed up in her apartment with Gus. They made love. They talked. They laughed. They even played a board game. She knew there were still things to overcome — his family, her family.
But as Monday morning dawned bright and sunny, she rolled over in bed and watched the man she loved sleep like a baby. He looked relaxed. Content. Happy. He was a perfect reflection of what she felt inside. There was power in that. Power in taking control of your own destiny.
Her hand crept to her belly, and she smiled.
Power in making a life.
It was the power of love.
His eye slid open. “What?” he asked, voice sleep heavy.
“Nothing,” she murmured.
“Come here,” he commanded roughly, his arms reaching for her. He pulled her into his arms, and after a few moments, he was deep under again. He was her home.
Fire Lake was her home.
It was the start of a beautiful life, and though she was sure it wouldn’t be perfect, it would be hers and Gus’s. He’d come back to her, and she was never letting go.