Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
SAMANTHA
“It’s been ten years, sweetheart. I don’t know how I feel about this.” Stephen shakes his head and cracks his knuckles.
“He hasn’t been in any trouble since he got released, right?”
“As far as I can tell, he’s been a model citizen.”
“Well, it’s Christmas time and he’s your brother. Despite everything, I know you miss him.”
“You know me too well sometimes.”
“So, then it’s settled?”
“Yes, baby.”
Stephen hasn’t seen his brother Samuel since the night those men broke into the manor and set the stable on fire. He expected Samuel to reach out when he was released, but he didn’t … until now.
He claims to have been busy making a life for himself. He didn’t want to be a burden to Stephen and wanted to make him proud. Now, seven years after his release, he called to ask if he could join us for the holidays.
Stephen, our ever-vigilant protector, isn’t taking any chances when it comes to me and the children. He’s going to meet Samuel outside the manor first to make sure everything is on the up and up with him. He would rather never see his brother again than expose us to any danger, and I love him for that.
Stephen Junior, now fifteen and built just like his handsome father, has invited his girlfriend over after dinner. Sara, now thirteen, has invited two of her school friends and they’ve locked themselves in her room. Shawn, eleven, and Sammy, ten, are still too young to have guests on the weekend, but they’re too busy watching all the holiday specials to care.
“When I said I wanted this house filled with life, I didn’t think it would be like this,” Stephen tells me.
“The older they get, the more friends they have. I’d rather have them here with us than off at some stranger’s house anyway.”
“Agreed, but you’ve done an excellent job raising them. They’re good kids with good friends.”
“I do miss our nightly skinny dipping date, though,” I tease him.
“Yes, but we still swim. We just have to wear suits now.” He squeezes me and adds, “Have you ever known a little piece of fabric to prevent me from having my way with you?”
“Not once.”
The children are all busy with their own activities, so Stephen pours us some wine, and we sit quietly next to the Christmas tree.
“Is this the tallest tree that we’ve had?” I ask Stephen.
“It’s a twelve-footer. I think it is.”
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Just like you. Listen, I know it isn’t Christmas yet, but I want to give you something.”
“No, not yet. Wait for Christmas.”
“You never wait to give me my gifts.”
“I know and you always scold me for it.”
“Alright, then we won’t consider this a Christmas gift. It’s just a gift.”
“So, there will be something else under the tree for me?”
“There will be lots of things under the tree for you.”
He stands up, admiring my artwork on the wall. “It still amazes me that you can do this. I can’t paint a wall.”
“You have other talents that amaze me. You build companies and raise racehorses.”
“These paintings have got me thinking. The kids are older now. They’re all in school and don’t need your constant attention. How would you like to open an art studio in Nashua? You can sell your work, take commissions, maybe even give lessons.”
“I never thought about it. You know I love to paint, but I don’t know how to run a studio.”
“I build companies, remember? I’ll help you handle the business side of things.”
I contemplate it for a moment. “That does sound exciting. What made you think of it now?”
“I have a confession. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I know you’ve never complained about it, but you had a dream. Your father squashed it when he sent you here. You’ve given me everything I could ever ask for. Let me give you your dream.”
“I never complained because you’ve given me everything. I love our life and I love you.”
“I love you too. That’s why I bought you a studio,” he says and dangles a set of keys in the air.
“You bought me a studio? Stephen, I don’t know what to say. This is unbelievable.”
“Are you happy, baby girl?”
I fall into his arms. “Yes. I can’t wait to see it. I already have so many ideas.”
“Well, you can look at it tomorrow. We’ll pack up the kids. You can check it out then I’ll take you all out to lunch. The city is decorated for the holidays now. The kids will love it.”
“When do you think I should open? I guess we should make a business plan, and I’ll have to purchase supplies.”
“All in due time. There’s one more part to this gift, and we’ll need to take care of that before you become a businesswoman.”
“What’s that?”
He pulls an envelope from his pocket and hands it to me. Inside are two airline tickets to Italy.