Page 23 of The Perfect Wife
He switched his cell to the other ear as he clicked his mouse a couple of times. “What are the lines on this map of Suches Loop?”
Having read the letter, I remember Suches Loop was where my mom intended to meet my father. It never crossed my mind that the lines drawn on the map meant something. I assumed my mom drew them so she would know where to go.
Again, Davian began jotting something on the notepad he had taken from his drawer. When he ended the call with Patton, he clicked his mouse again, and the printer sitting on the edge of his desk came to life.
Davian pushed away from his desk and took the two pages that he printed from his printer. Grabbing his notepad, he walked over to the couch where I was anxiously waiting. I wasn’t sure what he had found, but I was curious to find out. “What is it, Davian? Did you find something in the letter?”
Taking a seat beside me, he handed me the letter along with the map. “I need you to take another look at the letter and tell me what you see.”
I looked down at the letter and concentrated on every word.
My dearest love,
I am not sure if I will or can send this letter to you, but in the event I find out where you have gone, I will surely send it. There were so many things I didn’t get the chance to tell you before you left. One is that I love you with all my heart. These last few months have brought me to realize that I will never know another man like you, or love one as much.
When you told me to meet you at Suches Loop at 1:00, I was afraid that it was to say goodbye. Then when you didn’t show up, I knew that I had been right. I did everything you asked. I purchased the map of Suches Loop, and just as you asked, I drew the red and black lines to mark the route you wanted me to take.
I can see now that it didn’t matter because when I got there, you weren’t there. For months I drove up that tortuous road at 1:00, hoping one day you would show up. I will never forget you, my love, or what you said the last time I saw you: “Never look back, only forward. Your pot of gold will be waiting for you to take.” I’m still looking for that pot of gold, and I hope one day it will bring us back together again. I pray that the only memory I will have of you will be through the eyes of our daughter. I’m not sure if you will ever come to know what a beautiful baby girl she is. She most certainly has your eyes and your determination. As long as it takes, I will never stop loving you.
Always yours,
Louise
After rereading the letter, I still didn’t see what Davian did. Handing the letter back to him, the emotions of reading the letter reached my eyes. “All I see in the letter is my mother’s words and the love she had for my father.”
Pulling me near, Davian kissed the top of my head. “You are amazing, Reyna. You only see the good and not evil. The letter, no matter how profound, offers so much more than you realize.”
“What do you mean?” Davian released me from his hold and placed the letter and the map on the small table in front of the couch.
“I think it is a clue. Don’t you find it odd that Rui would request your mom to mark lines on the map in red and black? Why not just follow the road with a highlighter or one color of ink?”
“Now that you mention it, it does seem kind of strange.”
“Here is another thing. The statement that your mom made about your father always telling her, ‘Never look back, only forward. Your pot of gold will be waiting for you to take,’ I believe it is some kind of hint.”
“It’s just a metaphor. A stupid one, but that’s all.”
“I think it is more than that. I really think the connection between you mom’s death and Suches Loop means so much more. What pot of gold will be waiting for her to take it?”
I picked up the letter and the map and tried to come up with a reason to believe that there was more to it than what I could see. Maybe Davian was right. Maybe there was much more to this than I was willing to accept. “What do you plan on doing?”
“I think a trip to Suches Loop is in order.”
Even though I didn’t think there was anything worth finding, I still planned on taking a trip back to Georgia. I loved Davian’s country home, but I also missed mine, and with school starting in four weeks, it would be nice to get a jump on my classes and meet with my professors.
“When do you want to leave? I am more than ready to get back to Georgia.”
Davian’s eyes were on mine, and something was unnerving about them as his brows pulled together. “When I suggested a trip to Georgia, I didn’t mean that you would go with us. It is too dangerous. You’re better off staying here where I know you will be safe.”
~17~
Reyna
“Are you kidding me? What the hell am I supposed to do while you’re gone?” I hadn’t realized that I was nearly screaming when I pushed to my feet in anger.
A knock came at the door, and Mika appeared on the other side as she pushed it open. “Excuse, Davi, and Miss Reyna, but Mr. Cross is here.”
This conversation was far from over. One way or another, I was going back to Georgia. Walking past Mika, I met Lorenzo on the other side of the door. When our eyes met, it was like looking at Davian. They were so much alike, and I knew then where Davian got his arrogance from. “Reyna, you’re looking as lovely as always. I can see that my son is taking excellent care of you.”
