Page 44 of Stranger Gifts

“No,” she said shaking her head. “No, he loves me. He’s always loved me. I just had to wait until it was a good time for both of us.”

“He won’t take you with him,” said Ghost. “He can’t.”

“B-but you will, right?” said Frances turning to look at him. “I mean, you love me. You’re going to marry me and we’ll have a family.”

“Bitch, I’m not marryin’ anyone,” he laughed. Frances turned full to face him and stared at his expression. She slapped him and then gasped. “No bitch will slap me.”

Her body slid to the ground, blood seeping from her dress. Jenna pushed the young women out of the way and knelt beside the Sister.

“I-I’m so sorry, Jenna. I’m so very sorry.” She shook her head.

“It’s alright. We’re going to get you some help.” Sister Frances smiled up at her and then shook her head.

“It’s alright, he’s taking me home.” She stared at the bright light above her, the kind face of the elderly man who’d spoken with her in the gardens of the convent.

She should have known he would be there.

She should have known he would give her peace.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Why didn’t you just come to us directly about the motorcycles?” asked Ghost.

“I was foolish enough to believe that he had a relationship with you. He said he could get me a deal,” he said shaking his head. “I believed him and should not have. I appreciate that you are allowing my men to have such fine motorcycles.”

“I wish we could convince you to change your business,” said Ian. “We’ve done it before.” Ferdinand laughed, nodding his head.

“Yes. I know of all the men that you have reformed. I wish I could tell that I would be one of those men. I didn’t lie. I give money to the church, a lot of money.”

“Buying your way to heaven?” asked Gaspar.

“Maybe,” he nodded sadly. “Maybe.”

“When the bikes are ready, we’ll let you know and find a way to deliver them on neutral ground,” said Skull.

“What do we do about him?” asked Ferdinand pointing to the body of Harry Clayton.

“The gators are hungry,” said Trak.

Ferdinand smirked at the mysterious man, then realized that he was not kidding. Nodding, he turned toward the young women.

“I give you my word, we will get them home,” said Ferdinand.

“It’s alright,” said Ian. “We’ve got this. We’ll get them home and make sure that they’re safe. They’ll need help. Counseling. And someone will need to tell the Mother Superior what happened. I think we should do that.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Ferdinand looked at Jenna who was still standing protectively around the young novices. “You were very brave tonight. Perhaps you should reconsider your life as a nun.”

“I think I’m past that now but thank you.”

With Ferdinand gone, Killer giving the gators something to chew on for breakfast, and Sister Frances carried home for a proper burial, the world seemed to be righting itself somewhat.

Unsure of what her next move would be, Jenna seemed to be lost at Belle Fleur. The place that had given her great comfort these past few weeks now felt as if it were a prison.

“She’s going to leave,” said Nash.

“Maybe,” said Ghost, standing with Kane.

“No. She is. She told me this morning that she wanted to go back to Arizona for a while. She needed to visit the graves of her family and remember who she was.”

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