Page 95 of Hidden Raphael
Michaela stepped out of the dining room and into the hall. "Come on, Kimberly, walk me to the ship."
Kimberly turned toward Raphael's sister. Michaela would want to protect her brother, so why did she pace now? "You're anxious to go."
"My son is waiting for me."
Kimberly smiled and walked closer. "At least you have something out of all the pain."
Michaela shrugged again. "I always felt bad for my brothers. I thought Tiffany and then later Eileen were horrible choices. Until Erica and now you, I was worried about them. Raphael told me that Erica's your sister. She's amazing with Gabriel. I love her like a sister already."
Kimberly sighed. "I'll walk you to the ship."
Michaela carried her bag and Kimberly picked up hers. Every cell in her body begged her not to go anywhere. They walked out the front door in silence. The door loudly clicked locked behind them. They walked next to each other through a forested area that headed toward the beach. Once they cleared the first set of trees, Michaela said, "I thought you liked my brother."
Kimberly's hands clenched around the handle of her suitcase. "I love him."
Kimberly waited, but Michaela said nothing. Kimberly met her eyes, and then Michaela nodded and asked, "But?"
Kimberly sniffled. "No but. He has to love me for a relationship to work."
Michaela elbowed her and smiled. "Your sister locked herself away with Gabriel until he opened up his heart."
Kimberly's face wrinkled. "What are you saying?"
Michaela did her infamous shrug again. "Raphael's heart has been through a few blenders."
"That's a strong visual."
"I like you, Kimberly. If you can get my brother to open up, then who knows? There might be hope for the rest of us."
Kimberly stepped onto the beach and no flashes of the crash flew through her mind. Instead she visualized how Raphael's lips made her body burn. Kimberly walked closer and stood near the small ship that would take them to the larger vessel. Two sailors tied knots. Kimberly widened her stance and stopped. "Here we are."
Michaela clutched her bag close. "So what are you going to do?"
"I'm staying."
"Want me to tell your sister anything?"
She nodded. "Tell her I love her and I'm sorry I missed the wedding."
Michaela tilted her head. "That's it?"
Kimberly's entire body begged her to run back to the castle. She held still. "I'll look her up in the spring."
"Deal." Michaela nodded. "Thank you for everything. You saved my life."
Kimberly placed her hands in circles as she stood. Peace now enveloped her. She loved Raphael and he was a good man. She should go back, but she waited until the small rowboat took Michaela to the larger ship and Kimberly could no longer see her. A few moments later, she turned to walk back in the forest alone.
With every step she took into the forest, Kimberly's heart told her to hold steady.
The castle grew larger and larger now as the mist darkened. It would rain soon, but then it always rained here. Now that their troubles were over, Raphael had time to get to know her.
She crossed her fingers as she pushed the door. Then she stopped. The door was locked. She knocked. "I'm not going anywhere."
The wind whipped past her face. She swallowed and clenched her jaw. Then she banged harder on the door.
The lock clicked. Kimberly's stomach hardened, but she gripped her suitcase. The room was icy cold. She hoped for Raphael's green eyes to gaze at, but instead she stared into Meg's green eyes. "Did you forget something, mistress?"
Kimberly lifted her chin. She'd argue if she had to. "Raphael is going to need dinner tonight."
