Page 85 of Moonlit Hideaway
Her head bobbed up and down. “And there’s more. They didn’t print this because you didn’t get back to us. I’m hoping you’ll say ‘yes.’”
“I’d say ‘yes’ to anything you ask. That’s why I’m here. To support you and stay at your side as long as you want me to.”
“Great. Then, you are the board chairman of the newly formed Baxter Point Preserve. You will be in charge of any environmentally sound development and drive the vision forCedar Point, which I’m renaming Baxter Point in honor of Chloe’s family.” Her voice held a note of triumph, but her eyes never left him, seeking his reaction.
Her news had him tipping over, off-balance.
“But what about him?” He hated to bring up the bugaboo in the room. “What will he say?”
“He’s incapacitated, and I’ll move him to long-term care once he’s stable,” Sierra said. “I’ll be looking for new CEOs for my business empire. The job is yours if you want it.”
“Oh, no, no, Baxter Point is enough for me.” Hank hastened to add. “I hope you will be actively involved in the vision and visit us often. You always have a home at the inn. I mean, we consider you family, whether you’re married or not. Emma misses you, and so does my mom.”
“I miss them too, but I’m afraid I’ll miss the Harvestfest.” Her eyebrows tented with concern for his daughter. “I know Emma will do fine. Remind her to wear the tennis bracelet, okay?”
“I will, but I hope you’ll come home soon, anytime.” He slapped the side of his head at his blabbering. “Sorry. I’m just so happy to see you. I don’t know what I’m saying. You’re a big landowner; you can build yourself a home.”
“I’ll do no such thing.” She clasped his hands and drew him closer. “You promised me a home with you, and I’ll pay for that room upstairs—permanently.”
“Perm … permanent …?”
“It’ll be my home base. But…” A worried expression marred her brow as Marco’s heart rate spiked and a groan emitted from his mouth. “He might wake up at any moment. I must get my businesses separated from him as soon as possible.”
“Why?” Hank’s whisper was harsh and urgent.
“Because the Feds have a laundry list of indictments coming his way should he wake up. That’s why I fired him from everyposition he held. If you want my opinion, it’s better for him to go into the nursing home, but then justice won’t be served.”
“Will he still pose a danger?”
“Not if Uncle Tony and my brothers-in-law consolidate their power. They’re prepared to throw Marco under the bus and pile all the shady stuff on him.”
“Wow! So he’s going to face trial.” Hank walked over to Marco’s bedside. He didn’t want to gloat, but a tiny part of him hoped the monster would be locked up for the rest of his life. Would that be grounds for a divorce? He hoped so.
“If he’s deemed neurologically fit to stand trial,” Sierra said. “We don’t know how much brain function he has left.”
Hank’s heart twisted at the situation Sierra was stuck in, but she was right. She had to get her business affairs untangled first before any possible divorce. Unless it was impossible. Was it still true that for a mafia wife, it was death over divorce? That family was forever, and divorce was not an option?
He could only make his appeal and trust her.
Taking her hand, he said, “Sierra, you don’t have to answer me, but I wanted to apologize for how I behaved—turning away from you. I came to let you know that the door of my heart is always open to you. I don’t fall in love easily, but when I met you on that ferry, even though you shot me those stay-away glares, lightning hit me straight to my heart.”
“Wow, I didn’t know my glares were that killer.”
“Ah… but your sweet voice makes up for it.” He enfolded her into his arms. “I will be with you and accept you entirely. If you want to tour, you go touring. I’ve told Emma the same.”
“You what?” Her eyes popped wide, and her face lit up like Christmas lights. “You’ll allow Emma off the island?”
“To chase her dreams, yes.” He kissed her forehead. “And yours, too. I will love you like a handful of sand, like the changeable shifting dunes, by staying in tune with you anddrifting along with your changes. You’re married, yes, at the moment, but wherever you turn, I’ll be there.”
“Wow…” Sierra’s gaze was steady and searching, looking like she’d discovered a surprising treasure. “You’d let… let me… chase our far-off dreams?”
Hank framed Sierra’s wondering face between gentle palms. “I mean it, songbird. I was a fool caging your spirit before from misguided fear. But almost losing you forced me to confront my deepest truth—that my heart will always belong first to your happiness. However crazy the path that leads us.”
“Then all my paths lead directly to you. I feel a song coming on.” She placed her hands on his shoulders, eyes brimming with tears. “I love you so much. So very… very much.”
He brushed a thumb over her quivering lips. He wanted to say more, but she captured his lips with a kiss so smooth and natural that he heard choirs of angels as they sealed both of their fates. In Sierra, he’d found not only his safe harbor but the soaring spirit that spoke to his most elemental need.
Love.
