Angeline sipped a cup of coffee and watched mountain trees sway about the cliffs. Colorado. Just what he had always wanted. Behind her, Theo was already walking, forming words. Brent laughed when the little guy got one right, but when he referred to her father as Daddy, Angeline was sent back that night when she had last seen Kane.
She recalled Jeremy’s words, Don’t let him down.
The last two years had been all about that. Angeline focused on Theo and watched him grow. She grinned when he found his feet, but her joy was swiftly replaced by an old, familiar thoughts, Run if you can. You might have to.
Setting her cup aside, she told her father that she need some air, and he promised to look after Theo. Moving into the breaking day, she thought of Kane. She wondered where he was and how he was. It hurt to think of him in another woman’s arms. However, she wanted him to find peace. The peace she nearly, barely had.
“Angeline?”
Stray fingers seized her arm, and Angeline’s first thought was to kick and run. She was still fearful that Noel would try to sell her into a life of slavery.
But it wasn’t Noel.
“Jeremy?”
He nodded at the sound of his name, and she fell into him. It was as if she had a part of Kane, maybe the best part, back. She started to sink into his arms when fear made its way back to her heart. “What’s happened?” she asked. “Is he alright?”
“That’s up to you.”
Taking her hand, Jeremy pulled her farther from the house. When he had her under the shelter of the trees, leaves falling all around them, Jeremy released her.
And Angeline did not run.
“He’s okay?” she asked.
“He’s alive. Moving though a haze, but he’s still here.”
It was enough for her—just knowing he still breathed buoyed her spirit. It meant a chance of finding him again. Was Jeremy here to bring her back?
She would follow.
“And he’s talking about family and holding a kid close.”
Theo was waiting. She would bring him his son and let him know his real daddy. Jeremy only had to—
“And it’s no good.”
Angeline startled under his hold, and Jeremy gripped her arms.
“Jeremy, why are you doing—”
“I saved your baby once,” he interrupted her, reminding her.
“You did. And I’m grateful—”
“So just return the favor.”
Jeremy mopped his damp brow with his bare hand, and when their eyes met again, he spoke his truth.
“Ellen’s expecting” he said. “It’s… it’s…”
Touching his arm, she smiled into his eyes. “It’s what you always wanted,” Angeline said.
Jeremy nodded, and Angeline imagined the two of them laying put the plans for their own nursery. Ellen would want to, she would have to know. Pink or blue. No yellows for them.
And Angeline had to ask.
“Are you having a---?”
“Little girl,” Jeremy said. “We’re calling her Mary.”
Mary. Old-fashioned and perfect. Angeline liked the sound of it, and she moved to hug Jeremy close when he suddenly held her back and came to a fitful rest in her eyes.
“But it’s no good,” Jeremy said.
Shaking her head, Angeline thought of Theo and could not begin to comprehend how happy news could bring such tension to Jeremy’s shoulders.
“Jeremy, why?”
“Because my brother wants you!” Jeremy put his hands to his face and sputtered through his fingers, his eyes never meeting hers. “It’s bringing it all back for him,” Jeremy said. “He wants his son. That’s what he says. And… and he wants you.”
Time had failed to erase her need, and Angeline was about to tell Jeremy that his brother could come and find her when Jeremy pressed his fingers into her arms.
“And if he finds you, if he runs off with you, then it’s my kid who’s in danger. Angeline?”
He brought her into his arms, and his body went limp as she held him.
“Please,” he begged. “Please.”
Angeline owed him that much and more. Patting his cheek with a stiff hand, she swore to send Kane off if he happened upon her. It would leave him a shell, but she vowed to honor the promise to keep the unborn Mary safe.
“I’ll do it,” she said. “No worries.”
Jeremy took off with a final kiss to her hair, and as Angeline unfolded her hands before her face, she thought of nothing but Theo and turned back to the house.