Finagled (19 page)

Ramona recovered slowly, but George was an unbelievable comfort to her.

Neither of them could be light or happy immediately after what had happened. George had long moments of quiet rage, confusion, and sadness for all of the loss in his life excited by that terrible woman. Ramona was there if he needed to talk, or to sit in silence, as he was for her. They had shared something pretty incredible, they had nearly lost one another, on more than one occasion, and they were inseparable now. It was not what Ramona had dreamed of, nothing she ever would have wished for, but their bond was stronger than ever, and there was a great deal of comfort to be found in their love, for which she was very grateful.

George was there, of course, when Ramona began to tentatively walk again. Though she would always be scarred, she was able to function with complete normalcy.

Hearing of their troubles, the neighbors were quick to seek out their company and attempt to learn the gossip first hand, in the guise of helping them get through their troubled times. Far from ruining them, it seemed to make them even more popular. They had a murderess in the family, but they weren’t related to her by blood. It was the perfect kind of scandal.

It was a couple of years before Ramona and George conceived a child of their own, not for lack of trying, but they did, and they all lived happily ever after.

Rachel Kelso is a ridiculous writer/photographer living in the midwest with her husband. She always thought her author bio would say she lives with a bunch of cats, but she doesn't. No cats. Not one. :(