Page 95 of Tango
Joy blossoms in my chest. “Really?”
He smiles. “We can’t do anything right now, but within the next year or so, I think we might be able to swing a move like that.”
“Dad, I would—but your life is here.”
“You’re our life, Ali. And if this thing with Tucker pans out, there might be some grandchildren in our future?”
Heat burns my cheeks. “Dad. I haven’t even told him how I feel yet. I’d say grandchildren are a ways away.”
He laughs again then turns into the parking lot of the cemetery. After pulling into a spot and turning the engine off, he turns to me. “Even still. You are our life. Our everything. And we’re so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re welcome.” He withdraws what he refers to as his “car book” from his console and removes his seat belt. “Now, you go do what you have to do. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
I let out a light laugh and climb out of the car, then head down the aisle toward where Logan was laid to rest last week.
Every step I take feels heavy, but I need to say goodbye one more time. One final bit of closure before I can end this chapter and move into the next one.
LOGAN TARMAC is carved into cool stone, along with a pair of combat boots and dog tags. I kneel beside his grave then gently run my hands over his name.
“I haven’t had the chance to tell you how sorry I am.” Tears sting in the corners of my eyes. “I should have trusted you when you’d told me that there was something about Ramiro you didn’t trust. I thought you were just being jealous, and maybe on some level you were, but—I can’t help but believe, if I’d have just trusted you, then you wouldn’t be dead right now.” I close my eyes, shoulders shaking. “I’m sorry, Logan. You deserved better. I should have been a better friend to you. I should have never brought you into this.” My throat burns as I try my best to keep from completely losing it to the guilt. “I pray you’re resting in peace with the angels now.”
“I imagine he is.”
I glance up, the familiar voice bringing a whole slew of emotions running through me. “Samuel?”
“Hello, Alice.” He’s older now, his hair more white than gray, and there are fresh lines around his eyes.
“You—how are you here?”
“I travel around here and there.” He takes a seat beside me, and a familiar peace settles over me. “I am truly sorry for the loss of your friend.”
I continue staring at him. We’re in a totally different city than before, a brand-new area. How is this possible? “I don’t— Thank you.”
He smiles sadly at me. “You’ve suffered greatly in your young life, yet there is still so much light in you. Just like that first time we met. You remember?”
“Of course I remember. I looked for you after that, but no one knew who you were.”
He chuckles. “I was around. Aside from this tragic loss, I take it things have worked out? On the family front?”
“Yeah. Two amazing people adopted me right after we met the last time. They’re wonderful.”
“That’s good. I’m glad to hear it.” He studies me. “There’s more. You have the spark of love in your eyes.”
I laugh. “You could say that.”
“He a good man?”
“He is. I just have to see if he feels the same.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Bright things are in your future, Alice. Bright things.”
“Thanks. I’m honestly not quite sure what I’m going to do next. But I’ll pray about it until the path becomes clear.”
“That’s all any of us can do.” He smiles at me.
I keep staring at him, half expecting him to sprout angel wings or disappear, but he continues sitting beside me beneath the sunlight, the chirping of birds all around us. “How are you here? Coincidence doesn’t seem to cover it.”
