Page 271 of Things Left Unsaid

Colt

The wind whips at Zee’s skirt as she stands in front of two graves—one empty, one newly filled.

I stepped out of the Bar 9’s family cemetery to deal with the guests who attended the burial, keeping a gimlet eye on my wife who looks frailer than I’d like.

All morning, I’ve been checking up on her, making sure she’s been eating, knowing full well her blood sugar level is not a priority for her right now.

If it’s a weight I can take off her shoulders, then I will. Gladly.

Returning to her side, I rest a hand on her waist. “It’s time to go home, chaos.”

Though she stiffens, she turns into me. “Do you believe her?”

It’s the first time she’s brought this up since Juliette passed so I’ve had a few days to think about itandto rationalize my response. “I think she believed it,” is what I settle on.

She squints at me. “That’s not an answer.”

“Sure it is.” My lips kick up at the corner when she scowls. “I can imagine no biggerorbetter serving of humble pie for Clyde than to get his ass thrown in jail for someone else’s crime. Especially a McAllister’s.

“You just know that our ancestors are rolling in their graves in delight. I think I saw some of the soil shift on your great-grandfather’s…”

“Don’t even joke about that.” She snorts. “I thought you’d be mad.”

“Why?”

“She put quite the burden on us.”

I shrug. “The child in me that he terrified is quite satisfied with the outcome.”

“A part of me thinks we should tell the cops.”

“And break her heart?” I half-chide, hiding a smile when she glowers at me. “You know she’d come back to haunt us if we did.”

“At least I’d get to see her again.” Her mouth firms as she studies Walker’s empty grave and Juliette’s new resting place. “I’m tired of losing people, Colt.”

My fingers tighten on her waist. “I can’t promise you that we won’t lose anyone else along the way, Zee, but we’re on this road together. You’ll never be alone?—”

“You swear?” she pleads, blanketing my hand with hers.

I kiss her temple. “On my life.”

As she turns into me, fully this time, I slide my arms around her and hold her close.

Since Juliette died, she hasn’t cried, but her tears wet the front of my shirt as she finally lets go. I don’t say anything. Just hold her through this storm.

It isn’t the first and won’t be the last, but we’ll weather them together from now on.

Colt

THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER

Turning Page - Laura Steiner

Sliding a towel around my waist once I’ve stepped out of the shower, I leave the bathroom and head into the living room of the presidential suite at The Manchester.

Settling by the window, I stare at Saskatoon and take a sip of wine.

Before Zee, getting married wasn’t a priority. So, marrying twice sure as hell never made an appearance on my agenda.

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