Page 48 of The Darkest Knight

If only she knew how much he wanted to forget what tomorrow would bring and take her to heaven and back. He’d almost lost himself again when his radio rattled at his waist.

He grabbed the radio like it was a lifeline and pushed the button. “Yeah?”

“You busy?” Gage asked.

Seth looked to Reese. Very. But he couldn’t say that to his buddy. “What do you need?”

“Taylor is done inspecting the cabins. You want to speak to him?”

He thrust a hand into his hair and blew out a long breath. “Yeah, I do. I’ll meet him at my cabin in ten minutes.” He shut off his radio.

She smiled. “I feel almost guilty that you’re so busy.”

“Hopefully he has good news. The quicker we get through with the renovations, the sooner they can start on the canteen.”

“I’m ready to jump back into painting detail. Do something to keep myself occupied.”

His mind instantly replaced ‘something’ with an activity that would be a whole lot of fun—and trouble. “We better get down there and see what Taylor has to say.” He whistled for the dogs, their ears popped up and both came running.

*****

An hour later, Seth and Taylor left the office leaving Reese sitting at the desk writing down the last bit of notes she’d taken while the electrician talked about the work that needed done on the cabins to get them to code. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as she and Seth feared. Once she jotted down her last sentence, she placed the notepad on the desk and the screen of the laptop came alive as Seth’s email came onto the screen. Reese unintentionally caught the subject, “Happy Birthday tomorrow, Seth.”

Tomorrow is Seth’s birthday?

She had no clue, but how would she? Her heart hitched. He was working so hard on this project, and he deserved attention on his day. She had to get him something, but what would a man like Seth need or want?

Naughty thoughts came to mind and she smiled. Truthfully, she’d love nothing more than to give him something they’d both find pleasure in, but a person’s birthday should be different. Growing up, her parents always made sure she felt special, and Seth needed to know he wasn’t alone and that people cared for him. He was always doing for others, and now she would do for him.

But what?

Although she knew him, she didn’t know his every desire. A man who had money and liked the simpler things, what could she get him that he couldn’t just run out and get himself?

Her mind wandered to sex…again. Her body trembled and her inner thighs turned moist. Eventually, she’d have to find release.

Swiveling in the chair, her elbow struck the notepad and it slid from the corner of the desk, taking down paperwork with it.

“Shoot!” She bent over to pick up the papers, but a letter caught her attention. She glanced across the words…

“Seth,

The toughest man with the most loving heart. I think of you as a child…You were so loving and ready to offer a hand to anyone.”

Reese knew she should stop reading. This wasn’t any of her business. She’d never been nosey…

And yet the words held her suspended as she continued to read…

“You won’t understand my words, not yet, but one day I hope that you will. The day your soulmate finds you she will come with a salve to soothe your broken heart.

When you were little and I would read to you from a book about a prince and his princess. You once asked, “Can I have my own princess?” Do you remember what I told you? “Every prince has a princess whether he knows it or not.” You do, Seth. She is closer than you think.

You’ve lost so much, my dear brother. I only hope that soon your princess will save you, because I’m afraid I’ve failed. I’m leaving. I’ve accepted that my body is tired and I shall move on. I look forward to seeing mommy again, and dad. Please don’t be too sad.

I feel safer knowing when I get to heaven, I will finally have the privilege of meeting the three heroes who you called brothers. Do you think they’ll like me?

Take it from me, we believe we have so much time to live life to its fullest, but unfortunately, we only get a handful of years to make people happy. Any chance you get to see a smile…take it. Every opportunity to shine your light on someone…do it. She’ll come just like that princess did in the book…with the touch of a Goddess, and the force of Athena. Don’t miss her.

Until we meet again. All my love.

Angelina.”

The tears that had filled Reese’s eyes spilled over onto her cheeks. Wiping them away, she quickly put the letter back and hurried from the office. More than ever, she wanted to bring light into Seth’s life.