Page 45 of Ultimate Freedom

Whit sat down beside her, taking time to visit. “No. Actually, she only met him this spring when she drove here from Vancouver. She stopped in the city, saw his ad, and bought his truck. From then on, they’ve become great friends. Ask him about it. I’m sure he’d be happy to share their story.”

“I get the feeling he’s a nice man, still very much in love with his late wife. I can understand the feeling. My Andy was the love of my life too. We only had thirty years, went through the early death of our boy together, and I thank God every day for having had his support.”

“I’m sorry, Elsie. I didn’t know you lost a son.”

“It’s hard. Worst time of my life. Figure it’s what brought on Andy’s ill health.” She wiped her hands over her pale face and straightened her shoulders. “I usually don’t dwell on the sad parts of the past. Only brings a person pain. There were a lot of happy times to remember too.”

Whit smiled tenderly. “If you need someone to share those times with, I’m your guy. Now… do you have everything you want to bring with you?”

By holding onto the table edge, Elsie pulled herself to her feet. “Yep. I’m ready. Time to start a new chapter.”

“Now… that’s my girl.”

By the time their friends gathered around to make sure the oldies had enough food stored in the freezer and phone numbers to call at any time they needed help, Harold and Elsie happilysettled in. They’d all waved goodbye to Lefty before moving day and with everyone pitching in, life returned to a new normal.

The papers were quickly finalized for Demi and Whit to foster Charlie, and at night behind their closed door, they made plans that after they married, they would ask him if he’d be up for them filing for his adoption. Since they’d never seen him happier, willing to help in any way he could, they never doubted his answer. Each day he came out of his bedroom with a smile on his face that would light up the world.

For Demi, watching Charlie following Whit around like a small shadow, soaking up all the attention that Whit seemed happy to give, was the real sustenance that made Charlie bloom. When he’d come and lean on her, his way of showing affection, she loved every moment, knowing that one day he’d feel confident enough to instigate a hug without worrying whether he’d be rejected.

Most important… Demi felt a thrill when he began catching up and even surpassing the other students in his grade. Intelligence showed up in everything he did. The teachers were astounded at just how very smart the boy proved to be. One night, when they talked about it at supper, he confided in both her and Whit about how much he enjoyed being a student. And how he always felt jealous of the other kids.

Even Nito had begun to accept Charlie as a permanent fixture and would let him come close… even pet him. But he still preferred his one person, and everyone respected his choice.

In fact, with Glen now settled in with Rudy, Harold thriving with Elsie, and Norrie and Lexie planning their nuptials, life couldn't have been better.

***

That's why… when Whit watched Demi coming towards him from where she’d parked her truck, he didn’t understand the horror he saw in her expression.

Chapter Twenty-eight

“Hey, darling. What’s up? You look like someone who’s taken a hit.”

Demi stopped and stared at the man she loved. Because her mind hadn’t stopped spinning since the phone call from Tanner, her eyes were clouded with anxiety. In fact, she’d had to pull over on the road or she’d have hit the ditch.

“It’s Isabella.”

“What’s happened to her?”

“She’s missing.”

“Excuse me. The woman’s seven months pregnant. How could she be missing?”

“That’s what I said when Tanner told me. They had a stupid quarrel over the phone, and she must have left. So he snuck away from his undercover job to go to her and settle the misunderstanding, but she’d closed up the apartment. Thinking she’d gone to Stacy’s; he’d decided to give her some space. Guess it’s what she asked for… for him to leave her alone.”

“And he listened? Doesn’t seem like something a smart cop would do. I mean, wouldn’t he have talked her into staying and discussing the problem?”

“You don’t know Isabella. If she said for him to give her time, she meant it.”

Whit shook his head because it didn’t make much sense to him. Yet he could see that Demi understood. “Okay, baby. What else did he say?”

“That Isabella said she had proof he’d cheated on her and couldn’t bear his lies when he swore he hadn’t. He said her pregnancy’s made her unpredictable, a loaded weapon, and he couldn’t get through to her.”

“Did he say what kind of proof she had? I mean people can do all kinds of things with AI nowadays and messing with images is nothing to a techie.”

“That’s what I asked him… what kind of proof? Guess she never explained.”

“Hmm… pretty hard to argue with one’s own eyes. I mean if someone else had said they saw him, it could be suspect. But… even a picture’s pretty damning.”

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