“I know, babe,” I laugh. “I think you’re more nervous than I am.”
When he enters the living room, I bite my lip. He’s gorgeous, dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans. God, I love him. “Don’t look at me like that, you,” he says. “Or they’ll be outside waiting a while when they get here.”
“Do you think this was a good idea?” I ask for the hundredth time.
Pulling me to him, he kisses my forehead. “I think using your gift for such a good cause is beautiful, Charlotte. We only signed for one season. If it doesn’t go well, we won’t sign again.”
After Casey Purcells’ trial and her murderer was brought to justice, word spread like wild fire about me. It wasn’t long until I was contacted by Lifetime and they offered me a television show. After much thought, George and I decided to give it a shot. Lifetime will send us state-to-state with cameras following us everywhere and capture me using my gift. With most of the money we make, we’re going to donate it to Virginia colleges to provide free transportation for students at night. While this will be offered to male students as well, my true hope is female students will take full advantage of this. Maybe we can stop what happened to Casey from happening to someone else. We’re calling it, Casey’s Ride. The Purcells were truly touched and even agreed to do an interview for the show telling the world about how I was a huge help in bringing Casey’s murderer to justice.
Looking up into George’s dark eyes, I tell him, “I love you. Thank you for doing this with me.”
He kisses my mouth gently and smiles. “Thank you for loving me.”
My life with George has been wonderful. After so much time in the dark, I can’t explain what it is to live in the light. My gift, which was once a curse, something I hated, is now treasured. It brought me to Warm Springs. It led me to Ike McDermott. It introduced me to George, my husband.
We have dinner with the Mercers once a week. They keep asking when George and I will have children; they want to babysit. I could never replace their daughter Maggie, but I think, in a way, we help fill a void for each other. I’m like a daughter to them; they’re like the mother and father I’ve needed.
I still visit ‘our spot’ as Ike called it, often. And when I do, I talk to him. I imagine him in the water with a fly rod and that stellar smile of his on his face. And I pray his hopes came true; that it’s a place just like it that he went to.
I tell him about George and how well he’s doing, and I try to let him know how well I’m doing, too. And I thank him. For his love, for saving me, and for George.
George and I love so fiercely. Because when Ike went, he not only took a part of me with him, he took a part of George, too. In this way, among many ways, we are bonded. And I know, one day, we’ll all be together again, and George and I will be whole. But for now, George and I live every day to the fullest, loving and laughing.
Just the way Ike wanted us to.
Thank you to Kari, with Cover to Cover Designs, for the awesome cover. I know I was a pain on this one, but I love the result.
Thank you to Marilyn, from Eagle Eye Reads. I am truly grateful for your hard work and help molding this story.
Thank you Rae, from 77peaches, for your thorough proof read. I appreciate all of your hard work.
Tami, from Integrity Formatting, thank you for always going above and beyond. You are amazing.
Thank you to my amazing Smitten Kittens. You ladies rock my world. I love you all.
Author Kim Holden . . . you are epic. Thank you so much for beta reading this and for your awesome notes. I am so glad I met you and we’ve become friends. You are probably the nicest person I have ever met.
Dreama Boo, I love you. Thanks for being the best beta ever!
Meg Collett . . . you know. You’re awesome. Thanks for telling me what a narcissist I am and setting me straight when I freak out over my work. I truly love you and your brutal honesty.
Leah, thank you for always encouraging me and always being excited for me. I know I can always count on you, and I love you so much for it. I also love you for teaching me the word ‘meh.’ It feels good.
Thank you to my friends and family who constantly support and encourage me. I love you all.
Thank you to my children who I owe a ton of playtime to. You guys have really been patient, and I’m so grateful. I know I owe you lots of Mommy time and cuddles.
And, as always, Toler. I love you. Thanks for being you.