Page 95 of Monster Among the Roses (Fairy Tale Quartet 1)

I wanted to ask about Isobel, but I wasn’t sure how.

When he held up a hand where my truck keys dangled, silently returning them to me, I wrinkled my eyebrows, confused.

“Go on,” he insisted. “Take them. They were never mine to remove from you, anyway. Isobel’s the one who bought the truck for you.”

My gaze flashed to him, pure shock reverberating through me.

He smiled sadly. “She didn’t want you to know she’d bought you a truck; that’s why we made it look like a work truck from me. She was pissed when I took the keys back. So, here. It’s yours, free and clear. No strings attached.”

Slowly I reached out, taking the keys, even though I wasn’t certain yet whether I was agreeing to keep them or not.

“And…” Henry shuffled uneasily. “If you can forgive me for the way I reacted without finding out the truth first, then our deal is complete. With everything you’ve done at the house, you’ve more than paid me back for the loans I paid off. Besides, with Margaret gone…well, you just don’t owe me anything else. Our agreement is concluded, and your life is your own again.”

I nodded, not sure what to say.

But he shook his head. “The main reason I came here, though, was to thank you.”

My eyebrows lifted. “Thank me?”

“Yes, Shaw, thank you.” He blew out an unsteady breath. “Since I lost my wife and what seemed like my daughter in that fire, I’d felt as if I’d lost myself, too. I thought if only I could be a better person, if I did enough charitable deeds, if I paid my penance for whatever I did wrong to lose them in the first place, I could at least get Izzy back. Year after year, I handed out loans that ended up never paying back, hoping someday, fate would turn back and karm

a would shine on me again. And then you came into my office.”

He gave me a strange smile. “I never really thought it’d change much to bring you into my home and force you around her, but it did. You were the miracle I’d been waiting for. You brought my daughter back.”

I started to shake my head, unable to accept that kind of credit, but he gripped my shoulder and nodded. “You did. I’m not sure how you did it, but she’s a different person now, not exactly the teenage girl I lost all those years ago, but a lovely, amazing adult version of her. And no matter what happens from here on out, I wanted you to know I’m grateful for those few weeks you gave me of her true, genuine smile. I’d never seen her happier than she was with you.”

Agony and bittersweet memories of Isobel’s smile sluiced through me. I nearly double over from the waves.

Henry kept watching me as if wanting me to say I was over my pain and anger and I was ready to forgive her and move on, but I shook my head. I wasn’t sure what I felt. I was still so lost and confused.

“She really hurt me,” I admitted.

He nodded, not denying it. “I know. She messed up. Just like we’re all prone to do. Her mistake wasn’t intended to hurt you, though, it just ended up that way. She loved you the whole time and loves you now. Plus, she’s sorry for what she did, and I believe she’s fully learned her lesson.”

Of course her father would say that and side with her, but his words affected me, anyway. I knew she’d never had any evil intent. I’d always known that. And no one was perfect. But…

Dammit. I didn’t know what the but was. It seemed like there should be one, except I couldn’t think up what it would be. I either pulled myself together and forgave her, or…or what? Never forgave her? Never saw her again? Never kissed her again? Lived the rest of my life without her?

All because of one mistake that had hurt my feelings?

A mistake I was sure she’d never repeat.

When I met her father’s gaze, he nodded, realizing what conclusion I’d come to. A small smile lit his face. “I’ll see you soon,” was all he said before he turned away and left me to come to terms with what I’d decided.

It took me another day before I showed up at the front gate of Porter Hall and pressed the button, seeking entrance.

When the gate slowly slid open, I swear, it felt as if I was being admitted into heaven.

I drove up the lane and parked on the circle drive in front of the door where Henry stepped outside to greet me.

Patting my back when I reached him, he nudged me toward the house. “She’s in the library.”

I tripped away from him before I could catch my footing. Spotting Constance, Lewis and Mrs. Pan peering around a corner at me, I waved when they shot me grins and signs of encouragement. When I noticed the cook and groundskeeper were holding hands, I picked up my pace, jogging through the house until I’d made my way to the library. Happily every afters could be reached, and I was going to grab mine with both hands.

When I stepped inside and saw her sitting on the sofa, staring at the bookshelves we’d made together, my breath caught in my throat.

My legs suddenly went shaky.

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