Page 118 of The Keeper and I

“I love you too.” She nuzzled into his chest and gripped handfuls of his jacket. “Forever, Jordan.”

Chapter 31

“...andStanmorefinishedinsixth, securing a Europa League spot. Coach Warren is hopeful about new signings over the summer to get them off to a winning start next season. In other Stanmore news, the women’s team was promoted back into the WSL, and they’ve signed midfielder Jamie Hupp from Manchester City two years before her contract was up. Any thoughts, gentlemen?”

The Sky Sports reporter turned toward the two men on her right who shifted in their seats and launched into their opinions. Jordan switched the TV off and used the mirror on the sitting room wall to adjust his tie and make some finishing touches on his hair. Laci was upstairs, no doubt making herself gorgeous.

He crossed to the center of the room and picked up his coffee from the table, the one they had to replace after Dane had broken it, and he took a moment to be grateful they no longer had anything to fear from that man. He was still in custody, Laci and Jordan pressed charges, and the first hearing had gone their way.

But the apprehension of Dane wasn’t all Jordan was thankful for. In the weeks since their discovery of their prior lives, they had moved in together at Laci’s place. She transformed one of the guest rooms into a world-class studio for him, complete with wooden models, fresh canvases, mirrors (that were also used for extracurriculars), and a flood of natural light. They christened it by recreating theTitanicportrait scene, and Laci’s picture, necklace and all, was displayed on the wall in there.

In other parts of the house, they had some of Samuel’s artwork framed and hung. The rest was displayed in the gallery at the Miller’s estate. Caroline’s clothes were donated to a fashion history association in London, but Laci kept the diary for herself.

After discovering Caroline’s tragic end, they did some research to see what became of Samuel. They couldn’t find much on him after leaving the Colfields, but they discovered he went back to Scotland and died around middle age. He never married. Jordan often had dreams where he was stumbling around the streets of old Glasgow, drunk and miserable, calling out Caroline’s name. He guessed Samuel drank himself to death in his grief. He couldn’t say he blamed him. If it had been Laci who died inhisarms, he’d burn the whole country down.

Luckily, he didn’t have to worry about that as Laci, alive and beautiful, came down the stairs. She wore a fabulous pink cocktail dress that hugged her curves so well, he considered asking if she’d like to go back upstairs for a while. But when he checked his watch, he realized they didn’t have time.

He smiled at her. “You look awfy braw.”

“Thank you,” she replied with a grin.

“You might upstage the bride if you aren’t careful.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen Billie’s dress, and there’s no way.”

He pulled her close and bent to kiss her. She kept it brief to spare herself from having to reapply her lipstick, so he settled for keeping his arm around her as they walked to the car. He opened her door and helped her in before crossing to the driver’s side and climbing in. As soon as they were on the road, he took her hand again.

It was a little under two hours to the village of Aldbourne. Billie and Ethan chose the location because it was where Henry and Maggie had met and fallen in love. Jordan hoped to do the same with Laci by taking her to Scotland to get married there, the way Samuel and Caroline always planned.

He hadn’t pitched it to her yet, but it was only a matter of time. Maybe in another year, it would be them celebrating their union in front of all their friends and family. He stole a glance at her in the passenger’s seat, scanning her phone and felt a comfortable warmth in his chest imagining Laci with his ring on her finger.

She heaved a sigh and set her phone in her lap, looking out at the M4 as they rolled along. He gave her hand a squeeze.

“Alright?” he wondered.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “Just thinking.”

“About?”

“About the past life stuff,” she said. “I know we’ve discussed it to death, but it’s still hard for me to wrap my brain around. Imagine, there could be thousands of people out there, millions, maybe, all trying to find each other. Or they’re like Dane, and they’re holding on to something from back then that’s driving them mad.”

“Don’t tell me you feel sorry for him,” Jordan said incredulously.

“Of course not!” She paused for a beat. “Perhaps a tiny bit.”

“Laci—”

“I know, I shouldn’t have an ounce of sympathy for him, but I can’t help it.”

“You’re entirely too sweet.”

She offered a half-smile before looking down at their clasped hands. “He’s changing his plea, you know.”

“I got the email from our solicitors.”

“No contest. What does it mean?”

“It’s a way of saying he’s guilty without really saying it.”

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