EPILOGUE
The turquoise waters of Phi Ni Island stretched away into the distance, each wave catching sunlight like scattered diamonds.
Sophie lay on a beach lounger beneath a large umbrella, watching Pierre help Momi pat wet sand into turret shapes while Sean gleefully smacked his sand shovel on the watery “moat” surrounding their drip castle construction.
Anubis sat alert beside the children, his pointed ears swiveling, while Ginger dozed in the shade beside Sophie’s lounger, her belly full of bits of the family’s lunch.
They were on their third week of vacationing on Connor’s island—her island, now, she had to remember.
Everything Connor hadn’t left to charity had come to Sophie in his will: Phi Ni Island and everything on it, including the house and boats, several Swiss bank accounts, the jet, and controlling interest in Security Solutions’ stock.
Even in death, Connor had taken care of her; it had been a humbling revelation she’d always be grateful for.
“He’s going to get sunburned,” Armita observed in Thai from the adjacent lounger, nodding toward Pierre’s lean, muscled shoulders.
“At least he’s wearing a hat,” Sophie said in the same language. “And he put sunscreen on with the rest of us.”
Armita snorted. “Men. Like another child to care for,” she said. She’d never made a secret of her opinion of Sophie’s various relationships.
Sophie rolled her eyes, then slanted a teasing glance at Armita. “You’re just annoyed because he’s as good a cook as you are.”
“Pierre’s all right.” This was high praise from Armita. “I want you to be happy.”
“And I am happy,” Sophie said, surprised to find it was true. Though grief for Connor and her mother could still ambush her, the sea and sun of Phi Ni were working their restorative magic.
“Mama, look!” Momi called out in her piping voice. “Uncle Perro helped me make a mermaid!”
Sophie shaded her eyes to admire the sand sculpture. “Beautiful, Little Bean!”
Sean toddled over with a bucket of seashells, presenting them to Sophie. He was all Jake with his high energy, unique brown-with-gray eyes and easy smile. “Thank you, son,” she said, getting off the lounger to sort the shells with him.
“Hard to believe we leave tomorrow,” Armita said. The weeks of rest and relaxation had restored color to her face and erased tension from both of their bodies.
“Back to reality.” Sophie watched a fishing boat pass on the horizon. “School for Momi. Sean starting preschool. New investigations to work on and a company to run. Normal life.”
“Normal,” Armita said. “That’s not a word that’s ever applied to you.”
“True.” Sophie closed her eyes, feeling the weight of all that had brought them to this moment pressing down on her with the tropical heat.
“Go swim,” Armita said, coming around to examine Sean’s shells and take Sophie’s place. “Some people need rest, but you need exercise.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Sophie reached into her beach bag for a pair of goggles.
Pierre looked over as she slipped on a Lycra swim shirt. “Going in?”
“I need to cool off and get my blood moving.”
“Mind if I join you? I missed doing my laps today.”
“Sure.”
“Armita, okay to keep an eye on the kids for us?” Pierre asked.
“You never need to ask,” Armita said with a huff. “Though you should put on a little more sunscreen. Your shoulders are getting red.”
“Thanks.” Pierre reached for a nearby tube of lotion. “I’ll see you out there, Sophie.”
She nodded, shedding her pareu on the lounger and walking toward the water.
The sand was hot beneath her feet until she stepped into water only slightly below body temperature.
She waded in slowly, stepping carefully on the sandy bottom in case of sea creatures.
She let the water rise around her legs, her waist, her chest, and finally donned her goggles.
Then she dove.
The underwater world was silent except for the rush of bubbles past her ears.
She swam hard, scanning the sandy bottom for fish and coral outcrops, pulling herself through the crystal clear water until her lungs burned.
When she surfaced, she was many meters from shore, treading water in the deep blue.
From here, she could see her family as tiny figures on the white sand, framed by the backdrop of colorful umbrellas. Behind them rose a high golden bluff, highest point on the island, crowned by Connor’s beautifully designed house; now her home.
The children were bright splashes against the beach, the dogs, loyal companions—with Armita watching over them all with the fierce protectiveness of someone who’d learned how precious life was.
Pierre was wading in and putting on his goggles—coming to join her.
This was what remained, and it was good.
Sophie floated on her back, letting the sun warm her face as the gentle swells rocked her.
One by one, she said goodbye to the ghosts she’d loved: Jake, his gray eyes intense as he asked her to marry him from his hospital bed.
Connor, searching for her in the dark in that last dramatic moment of his life.
Pim Wat’s beautiful face caught in astonishment as the knowledge that her meek little sister had killed her sank in.
Salt tears flowed from Sophie’s eyes to join the salty sea around her as she grieved. Said goodbye.
When Pierre swam to her side, Sophie moved upright and smiled at him, a gust of energy moving through her body with the release of letting go.
“Ready to race? Bet you cooking duties tonight that I can beat you to that rock outcrop.” She pointed to one of the spectacular limestone karsts rising from the sea floor that was unique to the area.
“You’re on,” Pierre said, and was churning away before she could pull in a breath. Laughing, Sophie hurled herself into his wake.
When they eventually reached the outcrop, they climbed out of the water onto the narrow skirt of stones around the limestone tower’s base. “I guess we have to suffer while I cook,” Sophie said. “Since you beat me so handily.”
“Don’t forget, I swim every day. But you don’t see me challenging you to a foot race.” Pierre tugged one of her curls so it stretched, a long coiled spring. “Or a round in the ring.”
“You’re a wise man, Pierre Raveaux.” Her voice softened. “One of the things I like about you.”
“So you like me.” His deep brown eyes sparkled; that almost-smile tugged up one side of his mouth. “Or is it my cooking?”
“The cooking doesn’t hurt.” She leaned forward; they kissed, a gentle exploration. So far, that’s all they’d done—but she was looking forward to more when they had time and privacy.
It felt good to look forward to something.
She finally turned and dove off the rocks, swimming vigorously back—and this time she narrowly beat Pierre to the shallows, turning to splash him with a laugh. “I just needed a head start!”
Momi spotted them. “Mama’s coming in!”
Sophie opened her arms as both children splashed toward her, shrieking with delight.
Later, they all walked toward the long, zigzagging flight of stairs that led up the bluff’s face to the house. The dogs leaped ahead, hurrying up to the clifftop mansion where faithful staff would have their bowls filled with water and food.
The tired children were much slower to begin the long ascent.
Momi whined, and Sean cried to be carried.
All three of the adults were already burdened with picnic detritus, towels, umbrellas and toys, but Sophie found a way to get Sean on her shoulders so she could still carry a beach bag.
He folded his arms on her head, using it as a pillow.
Sophie paused with one foot on the stair, looking back at the vast ocean.
Somewhere beyond that vivid horizon lay the ruins of the Yām Kh?mk?n fortress, and her aunt’s house, with its bloodstained living room floor.
She was glad that Auntie Malee was here with her and her family, waiting in the house with Feirn for the rest of them to return.
Somewhere in the opposite direction lay a return to “normal” life on Oahu.
Wherever she was, Sophie had all she needed: an eclectic family blended together with love. Resilient as a palm tree that bent with the winds but was strong enough to weather whatever might come.
She turned away and began to climb, carrying her precious burden, leaving nothing but footprints behind.