Page 135 of Left Behind

Wiley glanced at Cameron and then looked away.

Cameron knew the predicament of keeping a secret from someone you loved. He’d faced it with Rusty. “Let’s just say the Pope family has investments that we all benefit from. You’ll be fine,” he said.

Linette’s eyes widened. The secret she had yet to be told.

“Okay then. I have absolutely no objections, but it’s Wiley’s decision.”

“Then we accept, with undying gratitude,” he said.

Cameron breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. You have just helped me fulfill Aunt Ella’s last wish. I’ll set the wheels in motion to transfer title and deed to you, and I’ll let you know when it’s officially yours. But in the meantime, I’m going to give you an extra key to the house. When you get a chance, you three take a drive up the mountain to see it, and just know that land was the first and oldest claim on Pope Mountain. Enjoy it for the treasure it is.”

Wiley took the key Cameron offered, too emotional to speak, and then the back door slammed.

“Ava’s in the house,” Linette said.

“Bubba! Linnie!”

“We’re in here!” Linette said.

Ava came running, holding Pinky by the arm, then slid to a halt when she saw the visitor and sidled up to where Wiley and Linette were sitting.

“Did Mikey come to play?” she asked.

Cameron grinned. “No, not this time, honey. Sorry.”

Satisfied she hadn’t missed something, she nodded and slipped out of the room.

“She’s a little obsessed with her first friend,” Linette said.

“And he’s a little obsessed with her at the moment,” Cameron said, and then stood. “Thank you, both, and I’ll keep you abreast of the legal stuff. In the meantime, have a good evening. Don’t get up. I’ll let myself out.”

As soon as the door shut behind him, Linette was in Wiley’s arms.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she said.

“Neither can I, but I feel like we’ve just won the lottery,” Wiley said.

“That’s how I felt the first time we made love,” she whispered. “Like I’d just found my place in the world.”

“Are you going to feel weird knowing Aunt Ella died there?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes. “Wiley. I’m a nurse. Every day I go to work where people die. It’s the living who are scary.”

Then they heard Ava coming back up the hall.

“Somebody’s getting hungry,” Linette said. “I think it’s time to start supper.”

Ava appeared in the doorway, saw that company was gone, and ran to where they were sitting. “Are we going to eat tonight?”

Wiley grinned at Linette. “You sure have her number, and by the way, what is for supper?”

Linette grinned. “S’gettie with meat sauce.”

“Yum!” Ava said. “S’gettie is my favorite.”

“It’s my favorite, too!” Wiley said. “And you’re my favorite little sister. I think we should help Linnie, don’t you?” Then he swooped her up in his arms and began dancing her out of the room.

Linette sighed. Just when I think I can’t love him more, he does something like that, she thought, and followed them to the kitchen.

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