Page 87 of Right in Front of You

“All of them?”

“Most of them. Even the one when you took me to Doctor Burke’s. I know I wasn’t happy that day, but I was much better with you there.”

“I would do it all over again. If I had known the truth, I would have finished him off that day.” I reached for the corner of the blanket and exposed her knees. The faint marks of scars were still visible if you looked close enough. I traced my finger over her scars. She shivered at the touch and closed her eyes. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

“I’m sorry that he hurt you, Molly. But I want to help you heal. There’s nothing more that I want than for you to feel safe and free. Always, no matter where we are.”

She wedged herself further into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I hadn’t realized what was missing in my life until I felt the comfort of your arms around me. I never want to lose you, Carter. You’re the knot that ties me to this life.”

I wanted to be more than a knot. I wanted to be the super glue of all glues that kept us together and strong —unbreakable. In the back of my mind, I had no doubt that we could do it.

“This is where we were meant to be, Molly. You and me in Hope Bay, with our future right in front of us. I know you have fears, but I’ll make them all disappear. I promise.”

“Thank you. And for what it’s worth, I believe you. It may take me some time to have faith again, but I’ll do it for you.”

“And I, for you.” I kissed her again. I could never get enough of her lips.

“Thank you for today and for yesterday. I mean it. You took my mind off life. You took me somewhere else in time, and for the first time ever, I felt peace. I felt like I could actually live.”

“And you will live. I promise.”

I knew that it was one hefty promise; and if I knew Mr. Fowler, he’d challenge me to keep it.

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