Freeing Him: A Hart Brothers Novel, Book 2 (34 page)

May the wind be always at your back,


May the sun shine warm upon your face,


The rains fall soft upon your fields and,


Until we meet again,


May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Our glasses emptied, a solemn mood hovers over the table. Then Kolson says, “I didn’t know Cara as well as the rest of you did, but I don’t think she’d want you to be so sad.”

“Hell no, she wouldn’t,” Sky says. “She’d be angry if she could see us right now.”

“We need to happy it up, then,” I say.

We order another round of drinks and the night continues. Kolson ends up putting me to bed that night and I don’t go to work the next day, but it’s okay because I’m the boss and I’m married to a gazillionaire and I’m Mrs. Kolson Hart.

When I wake up with a jackhammer in my skull, I’m reminded of the first time I laid eyes on this luscious man who is now my husband. Who would’ve ever thought? He stands next to my side of the bed, wearing a pair of faded jeans, the top button undone, no shirt, hair a mess, and hands me a glass of orange juice and three ibuprofen.

After swallowing my hangover remedy, I inspect him.

“Like what you see?”

“Uh-huh. I
love
what I see. Take those jeans off and get back in here.” My hand reaches out and I unzip the offensive garment, though it’s not really offensive. It’s just blocking my view of something spectacular.

He chuckles. “You’re quite the brazen thing this morning, aren’t you?”

“Isn’t that one of the perks of being a wife?”

“You were pretty brazen last night too.”

I swiftly think back to our little memorial party. “Oh no!”

“Oh yes.”

Then, laughing, we say at the same time, “Sugar Tits!”

The look on his face is comical as he climbs on top of me. “You’re only allowed those drinks in front of extremely close friends.”

“Do I want to know?”

“No. And don’t ever ask anyone.”

Then I feel the bed shaking from his laughter.

“Will you tell me just one thing I said?”

“Are you sure you want to know?”

“Yes!”

“Okay. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. You stood on the bar and yelled, ‘Why ride a horse when you can ride a cowboy?’ Then you jumped on me, wrapped your legs around my waist, and screamed, ‘Giddy-up, baby!’ while dry humping me.”

“Oh dear God above.”

“Yep. And the entire bar broke into a round of applause. After that, I carried you out while you tried to smack my ass.”

“Oh, stop. No more.”

“But you were the cutest cowgirl there.”

“Where did that come from?”

“You told everyone what a great rider I was. Then it turned into what a great ride I was.”

“NO. Stop. Please.”

“You’re adorable when you blush.”

“Oh, Kolson. I’ll never be able to face them again.”

“Don’t worry. Sky was just as bad. She was telling everyone about Ryder’s dick piercing. At least you didn’t bring mine up.”

“Oh, she didn’t.”

“Case declared he didn’t know either of you and left.”

“Oh, the humiliation.”

“Don’t worry, kea. It was all in good fun. And you know something?”

“What?” I squeak.

“You girls would’ve made Cara proud.”

And it suddenly hits me that my dear, sweet, beautiful friend is gone forever and I guess because I’m hungover and filled with the after effects of all that alcohol, I cry.

And my wonderful husband is there to hold me and care for me, and I realize how good life is.

After all the shit we’ve both been through, we’ve managed to find each other and share a love that’s priceless.

EPILOGUE

Gabriella 

Two months later

The real surprise wasn’t the blinds. It’s the plans to the Russell Rehabilitation Center and the Cara Lee Women’s Shelter. Kolson didn’t show them to me until a week after we got back. He wanted to see them first and make the necessary revisions he knew I would want. Then when I saw them, I lost it. Completely. And absurdly.

How did he do it? He says it was my real wedding gift. That he knew this would mean more to me than any bauble. And he is right.

So on a chilly, late February afternoon, Case Russell—the guest of honor—Kolson, and I, break ground for the new centers. Surprisingly enough, Mrs. Lee and Cara’s two sisters also attend. (Not surprising, Mr. Lee is absent.) And now the fundraising begins. Kestrel says he’ll hang around for a while and help. Ryder’s family is invested as well, since Case all but saved his life. And Case has so many connections from the people he’s helped over the years that we know this project will fly much faster than anticipated. It also helps that Kolson sweetened the pot with fifty million and challenged all his business associates to help. Wolfe Investigative Services added another five million. This puppy is barking pretty damn loud already.

Sylvia is taking this project on too. She says this will give her something she can throw herself into and feel wanted and useful. But she is particularly vested because of Kade. He’s progressing as well as can be expected. But the center in Colorado has suggested he stay for a minimum of six months before transferring to one here in New York. Kade is fine with that. He wants to get well. And now that Langston is gone, he claims he’s ready to leave his past behind. I can visualize him fulfilling a role at the new center with Case, providing he stays on his path to recovery.

Everything is falling into place, bit by bit. I’m still worried about Kestrel. He looks lost at times. He needs therapy but won’t go. I can’t discuss it anymore because I’ve said as much as I can say. He knows my door is open any time.

One day when it’s just the two of us, I brave it and say, “Kestrel, how are things?”

“Oh, good days and bad.”

I reach out and touch his arm, but he doesn’t respond the way he used to. He’s more neutral towards my touch these days.

“I’ll be fine, Gabby.”

“Kolson used to shy away from talking ... before I was aware of what Langston did. He was afraid of his memories.”

“It’s difficult for me now. Without him. And I thought it would be easy.”

“You were with him every day. You don’t forget that so fast.”

“Gabby, I know you’re trying, and I appreciate it, but I need to do this on my own. I’ve made a decision. After I finish helping with the fundraising, I’m leaving.”

“What? Where will you go?”

“Kolson mentioned that he needs someone to open an office in the south. I’m going to take some time off and then maybe, if he still wants me, I’ll go wherever. But I think I’m going to head down to Charleston for a while.”

“Yeah. Okay. Charleston. I’ve never been but I hear it’s a great place.”

“It is. I’ve been before and it’ll be a total change. I don’t care if you talk to Kolson about this, but don’t mention anything to my mom. I want to be the one to tell her when the time is right.”

“I understand. But Kestrel, promise me you’ll talk about this one day. To someone. And remember you always have a place here too.”

“I promise.”

I watch him leave, the slight sag in his posture, the droop in his shoulders, and I want to take his pain away. But healing has to come from within him. He has to be the one to initiate it. Maybe a move to Charleston will help. Lessen the grip of all his terrible memories.

***

Several days later I meet Kolson at his office late one morning and tell him we’re going somewhere. He tries to tell me he can’t, but I refuse to leave without him, so he follows me to the car, where Sam waits for us.

“So?”

“You’ll see.”

We drive into New Jersey and he’s puzzled, but I don’t say anything. Sam keeps on and eventually we reach Morning Side Cemetery.

“Why are we here?” he asks.

“We’re going for a visit.”

Sam follows the single-lane road around and soon brings the car to a stop. I get out and Kolson follows. I walk a ways and come to a stop in front of a small granite grave marker that’s flush in the earth. It only says:

Susan Mary Ackerman

7/23/1958 - 12/25/1991

“From what we could find, she died of a drug overdose.”

He drops to his knees and runs his fingers over the plaque.

“You had no other siblings. I thought it was important that you know.”

“How?”

“Case. I tried to find your father, but as you know, he wasn’t named on your birth certificate, so Case ran into dead ends.”

He nods.

“Kestrel and Kade?”

“I don’t know. Case didn’t search. I wanted to discuss it with you first. I have all of Susan’s information if you want it, but Langston left her in a terrible state, Kolson. She wanted you. She didn’t hate you like he led you to believe. She loved you dearly. She ended up on drugs and alcohol. She couldn’t live with what happened. And her life ended tragically because of him. He was an evil man, not that I’m telling you anything you don’t already know. I just wanted you to know that she loved you very much. But I think Sylvia does too. And in her own way, she was a victim too.”

“Does Susan have any family?”

“One sister who lives in California now. You have cousins. I have that information too, if you ever want to pursue it.”

“I don’t think so. What would I say? It’s too awful to open up, you know?”

“Yeah. Some things are best left alone.”

“Thanks for finding her. I thought about it over the years, but never did it. I guess I was afraid of what I would find.”

“Come on. We have one more stop to make.”

His brows raise but he doesn’t say a word. We get back in the car and Sam drives us out past White Plains, New York in Westchester County.

“Did you happen to buy a weekend home?” Kolson asks.

“Nope. Something much better than that.”

We’ve reached a point where I need to blindfold him if I’m going to surprise him. I pull a black scarf out of my handbag and say, “I need to cover your eyes.”

“Hey, we can’t do this here. Sam can see us.”

“It’s not what you think,” I say, elbowing him in the ribs. I lean closer to him and tie the scarf around his eyes. “Tell me you can’t see a thing.”

“I can’t see a thing.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I want this to be a surprise.”

“You have me on the edge of my seat,” he says dryly.

The car comes to a stop and I see Grady waiting for us. I hold Kolson’s hand as he gets out of the car and I lead him behind Grady as he takes us where the surprise awaits.

“Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

I take off the scarf and watch his expression. I thought he’d smile. He doesn’t. He falls to his knees and cries.

“Oh, Kolson. I’m so sorry. I thought you’d like him.” I drop to my knees and try to console him.

He lifts his head and grabs hold of me. “He’s perfect. But very unexpected.”

“I suppose I should’ve given you some kind of clue.”

He hugs me so close to him I feel as though my ribs will be bruised.

“No. This is the best gift you’ve ever given me, other than yourself. Thank you.” He stands, takes my hands, and helps me up. “Shall we go meet my new friend?”

The black Friesian is young, only two years old, yet stands at sixteen hands.

“You should know that this stallion’s sire is the famous prized Friesian that has won more awards than any other in history. It took some doing to persuade the owner to sell him.”

Kolson turns to me and says, “Not Karel?”

“Yep.”

Then Grady asks, “Would you like to ride him, Mr. Kolson?”

“Yeah, but I want to get to know my new friend first.” Kolson scratches behind his ears and then between them. “What’s your name, my friend?”

Grady and I share a look and chuckle. I say, “Yeah, well, here’s the thing. His name is Karel’s Xander. It means ‘Defender of Man.’ His previous owner was into Dutch names because of the heritage of the breed. The purchase agreement states we can’t change his name, and if you want to put him out to stud, it will be especially important that you don’t.”

“Xander. Hmm. I love it.”

Xander hits the ground with his front hoof.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I look at Grady and he shrugs.

Kolson is in a daze as he walks around and inspects Xander. His hands brush his coat, he runs his fingers through his long and silky mane, and he lifts each of his legs, even checking out each of his hooves.

“Oh, Mr. Kolson, that is one fine stallion you have there. Storm would be proud of his replacement.”