A Final Moment
Esme linked her fingers together to stop them from tapping on her thigh. Wyatt took one hand off the wheel and patted her hand. “Nervous?”
“A little. This was my idea, but I don’t know if it’s the right one.”
He grinned. “We all think this is a good move, even Marcus.”
The police chief had approved when he heard her suggestion. “I like it. Take control of your own destiny, Esme. Downey will be in jail for a while, but even when he gets out, your plan takes away his power.”
Remembering the words, she shook out her fingers. “I’ll be glad when it’s over. What if she’s not the woman I hope she is?”
“Then we walk away.”
Which was possible. She could pay the woman for her time and travel and be done.
Wyatt pulled into the lot beside Phail Jail, and they walked across to the park with Gomez on his leash. His head swivelled, taking in the unfamiliar sights and scents.
Esme spotted Narina at a picnic table, and they headed that way. The woman, a photographer who always acted with integrity, waved and stood as they approached. “Hello, Esme. It’s nice to see you.”
“Hi, Narina. Thanks for coming.”
The woman laughed. “Are you kidding? I’m thrilled you called me.”
Esme gripped Wyatt’s hand. “Narina Bellows, this is Wyatt Foisy.”
“Pleased to meet you, Wyatt.”
Wyatt shook the offered hand with a nod. Esme knew he would reserve judgment on Narina until he saw how she worked.
Seeing Narina’s cheerful face, she knew she’d made the right choice. Time to take back control of her life. No more hiding.
Gomez barked and Narina squatted down. “I’m sorry we ignored you, little buddy. You’re a cutie.”
Showing how far he’d come from the scared dog they’d met a few weeks before, Gomez sniffed Marina’s hand then wagged his tail when she petted him.
Esme felt Wyatt relax beside her. Having Gomez reinforce her judgement of Narina helped. Esme smiled. “This is Gomez. He’s a rescue who went through a few tough years.”
Narina petted him again, then looked up at Esme. “Just like you. He’s a lucky dog to have found you.”
Esme smiled. “We’re the lucky ones. He’s wonderful.”
Narina patted him again and stood. “Agreed. Why don’t we sit and you can tell me exactly how you want to do this?”
They sat on the opposite side of the picnic table, then Esme took the lead. “I’d like you to release a story on my official retirement from the limelight. I thought we could do a video of me explaining that I’m officially and forever retired, and then you can take some pictures here in Phail.”
Narina nodded. “Good plan. I know that asshole Downey tracked you down to the farm where you’re living, but I like your idea to keep the photos here in Phail.
I hope this will give a boost to the town and your small-town videos.
I’m enjoying the series and look forward to watching the ones you’ve shot here.
From what I’ve seen so far, this place has a fabulous sense of humor. ”
The woman’s words had Esme relaxing fully. “I knew I had chosen the right person for the job. Yes, I’ve got dozens of videos of Phail lined up. I’ll start releasing them soon, so you won’t be outing any secrets.”
After a few minutes’ discussion, they moved to where the walking trail led into the woods.
Narina checked the lighting and adjusted her tripod and camera. Wyatt and Gomez watched from behind her. “There’s enough autumn left in the leaves to make a happy backdrop. Let’s do one take of your video here, and if it’s not what you want, we’ll try somewhere else. Whenever you’re ready.”
Esme smiled at Wyatt and then turned to the camera, waited for Narina’s signal. “Hi, everyone. This is Esme. Normally, I don’t show up in my videos, but this one is different, so I’ve asked Narina Bellows to help me out.”
“I want to thank everyone who has checked in with me over the past year when I stepped away from modeling. It’s taken me a while to find my groove and my place, but I’m happy to report I’ve found both.”
“As some of you know, I’ve been traveling across the country finding small towns to showcase.
I grew up in the town of Giblet back in California with my wonderful Nans.
It’s an amazing place to visit if you’re looking for a vacation destination.
Over the past few months, I’ve been in many terrific places, towns with personality, filled with good, hard-working people.
Now, I’ve found a town that I love as much as Giblet.
I know my Nans would totally approve of Phail, Vermont and its wacky sense of humor. ”
“My new life will be completely out of the spotlight. Modeling was a wonderful career, and I met so many incredible people over the years. I don’t have any regrets about my career, or about leaving it behind.
I’ve found the right place for me, where I’m surrounded by wonderful friends who’ve become family.
I’ve found love and peace, and my future is unfolding in the very best way. ”
“Thank you for all the support over the years. Thank you to Narina for helping me with this video. I hope you all find your own paths, paths that bring you love and peace. Goodbye from Vermont, where I’ve come to Phail to succeed.”
Narina counted down a five-count with her hand and then lifted her head from the camera. “I think that was perfect.”
Wyatt grinned and moved forward to kiss her softly. “Me too.”
Esme watched it through and agreed. It was casual, and her face, scar and all, showed how happy she was here. “Thank you. That’ll work.”
Narina took the camera off the tripod and packed the stand away. “Do you want to take some photos along the trails or around the town?”
Esme nodded. “Let’s do a few of both. We’ll see if we can draw some friendly tourists to Phail.”
They spent the next hour walking the town with Narina, taking photos on the trails, in front of businesses, and even with Esme and Gomez playing in the splash park.
As she’d expected, Narina was a pro and had an excellent eye for lighting and backgrounds.
The photos would be fun and a far cry from the posed pictures she’d taken in the past. She’d decided on no makeup, so the scar was visible.
She hoped people could see it, see it didn’t worry her, and it didn’t detract from her joy.
She realized she no longer brushed her fingers along it when she was stressed, more proof she’d put the attack behind her.
Now, it was all about the future, one filled with joy and love.
Thanks, Nans, for everything.
The next rainy day, Wyatt invited everyone to the greenhouse to learn how to splice and graft plants.
Esme helped him set up stations with various plants all around the work tables.
It was chaotic fun, and he hoped it would be another step in helping Esme put the entire ordeal behind her.
She had fewer nightmares every night, and she was determined to dive into every aspect of farm life. Her enthusiasm was contagious.
Charlie worked on combining apple and pear trees, while others wanted to blend flowers or bushes.
Esme chose to play with daisy varieties, as her Nans had loved them and sunflowers the most. He’d ordered a ton of daisies to plant around the greenhouse and the cabin they had plans to renovate into a larger home of their own.
Like Nash’s family, they would make it larger to accommodate any future additions.
When his phone rang with a call from the delivery driver, he grinned. Perfect timing.
“Good news?”
He grinned at Esme. “I’ve got a delivery to pick up at the farmhouse. I’ll take the ATV and be right back.”
“Do you need some help?”
Something must have shown on his face, because Gray slapped him on the back. “I’ll give you a hand.”
In no time, he and Gray had loaded up the two ATVs with the boxes and returned.
Gray sent him a knowing look. “Any of these need to go in the cabin instead of the greenhouse?”
Wyatt nodded. “I’ll need a minute in there.”
Gray grinned. “They’ll have heard the ATVs, but I’ll buy you a minute or two.”
Thankfully, no one interrupted his plan, and it didn’t take long to set things up.
Gray had left him the final box to bring in. His buddy was a mind-reader.
When he entered, he whistled to gain everyone’s attention. “Okay, Charlie, you’re on deck. What’s in this box?”
Charlie laughed. “I don’t have X-ray vision. More plants?”
Wyatt grinned. “More specific. Something you wanted to try out.”
Charlie turned to Esme. “Any hints?”
She laughed. “Sorry, I have no idea what’s in there.”
Charlie thought about it for a minute, and then his face lit up. “Cinnamon? Did you get us some cinnamon so we can try growing our own?”
Laughing, Wyatt nodded. “I think we can do it in the small greenhouse section at the back.”
“Awesome. This is amazing. It’ll be fun to figure out what it needs to grow here in Vermont. We’re going to have our own cinnamon, everyone. No Phailed Apple Cinnamon.”
Wyatt handed Charlie the box and gestured for him to open it. Esme slid into Wyatt’s side and hugged him. “That’ll be so much fun. You’ve made his day.”
“He’s a great kid.”
She nodded, and they shared a look that said one day they’d be having a few of their own. He wasn’t discussing it here in the greenhouse surrounded by their friends, but her smile told him everything he needed to know.
A few hours later, everyone dispersed to do their own thing, leaving him and Esme alone.
He tugged her hand. “Come on. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
He locked the greenhouse behind them and set the alarm, not taking chances with security. Then, he led her to the cabin and opened it. Once inside, he reset the security and pulled her in for a kiss.
When he pulled back to breathe, she smiled. “Good surprise.”
He barked out a laugh. “That wasn’t your surprise.”
“I liked it anyway.”
He led her to the table and pointed at the two boxes. He’d opened them earlier and then re-closed the flaps. “That one’s for you.”
“What is it?”
He rolled his eyes. “That would ruin the surprise, but I’ll give you a hint. It’s something that’ll stay here in the cabin.”
Her eyes widened, and she thought for a few minutes. “I’m not as intuitive as Charlie, so I’m diving in.”
She opened the box, and her gasp of joy and surprise filled the cabin. “I can’t believe how incredible you are. These are perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
She threw herself at him and kissed him. Then she laughed and pulled the slippers out of the box—big, fluffy turkey slippers.
The head, complete with comb and wattle, faced the front. Her feet went into the bird’s back, and the rear was the full tail, spread out in all its glory.
Esme bounced as she squeezed the slippers to her chest and kissed him again. Tears sparkled in her eyes. “They’re exactly right, the same as the ones Nans bought me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
He laughed and opened his own box to pull out a matching pair. Esme squealed and laughed. “You got them too? I love them. Let’s put them on.”
Wyatt held a chair for her and then took his own. He moved quickly to remove his boots and slip on the turkeys. He wanted to be ready before she found the next surprise.
He waggled his feet, making Esme laugh again. “You beat me. Hold on, we can do a turkey dance in a minute.”
Esme slid on one slipper, showing it off before sliding on the next. When her foot didn’t go all the way in, she frowned. “There’s something inside; hang on.”
When she pulled out the box, Wyatt was ready. He dropped to one knee.
Her mouth dropped open, and tears sparkled again, although her smile gave her emotions away.
He took the box from her hand and popped it open. She didn’t spare the ring a glance; instead, she smiled at him. “Yes.”
He laughed. “Good to know. Let me ask the question first. Esme, I love you so much. I didn’t know love could be fun and joyful. I didn’t expect to meet someone who makes me a better person, someone who loves with her whole heart. Will you marry me, Esme?”
She grinned through the tears on her cheeks. Then she cupped his face. “You’ve brought me to life, shown me how to love past the fear. I love you so much, of course, I’ll marry you.”
He dropped the ring box as she threw herself at him. They tumbled to the cold floor, locked around each other, while the kiss deepened.
Clothes flew, but when he scooped her off the floor, he brought the box with him.
On the bed, he took the ring out and slipped it onto her finger.
Choosing one for a woman who’d modeled the most expensive clothes in the world should have been a challenge, but when he’d seen this one, he’d been sure.
Like a daisy or a sunflower, it had a central diamond surrounded by petals of more diamonds.
Esme smiled at him. “It’s beautiful. It reminds me of Nans and her happy flowers. I love it, Wyatt, almost as much as I love you.”
And then they were kissing again, the rest of their clothes scattered over the floor.
When he reached to grab a condom, he also moved and grabbed Esme’s slippers. He slid them onto her feet where she lay naked on the bed.
His fiancée grinned and pointed until he put his on as well.
They were laughing when he slid into her. It was going to be a hell of a good life.
Bonus Scene
Burke Malssum
Once inside his condo, Burke locked the door and threw the deadbolt. Then he leaned back on the door and thumped his head a few times.
Over.
This wretched day was over.
The entire ugly episode was finally behind him.
Burke’s coworker, and former mentee, would rot in jail for more than a decade.
The betrayal stung deeply. He’d been working with the Feds and the cops for almost a year, searching for evidence and following the money trails.
Now, it was done except for the heartache and worry for Joel. Such a good man, heartbroken that his son had turned into a criminal. A thief and an embezzler.
Burke moved to the coffeemaker and brewed a pot. His system ran on the stuff, and it wasn’t like he’d be sleeping tonight anyway.
Burke walked to the balcony, hoping the view he loved would ease the aches and the weariness. Boston Harbor at night sparkled with lights and activity—a view he loved.
Tonight, it did nothing to help his mind forget.
He drank his coffee and paced the balcony and his condo, trying to resolve his feelings and imagine his next steps.
All he saw was a mess that would take years to untangle.
People were looking to him for answers and ideas on how to move forward.
He couldn’t give any answers because he didn’t have a clue.
His gut wanted to walk away and leave it all behind. His head wanted to pick up all the pieces for Joel and help him build anew.
Mostly, he wanted to sleep. When was the last time he’d slept more than an hour or two at a time?
Knowing that was an impossibility for this night, he poured himself another mug of coffee and looked at the harbor for answers he knew weren’t there.