The first time she saved lives. Two were lost but she saved many others.
The other two times she’d done it for the same man. The first time with Jack, she messed it up. The second time, she learned he’d forgiven her and he’d given her her reward.
And boy, what a reward it was.
When we’re ready to try again, we’ll plan it.
They had time, they were starting a life together in a hopefully soon-to-be not haunted but always would be imposing castle on a cliff and when they were ready, they’d start a family.
Still smiling at the sea, Belle sighed.
Maybe, just maybe, Belle “Meek and Mild” Abbot might stop being so darned meek and mild.
She might, instead, take more risks.
She wasn’t certain about this haunting business but the rest of it sure as heck paid off.
On this thought, Gretl, who was in front of her, twisted her neck to look down her body as Baron, behind Belle, gave a small, warning woof.
She’d just lifted her chin from her knees in order to look toward The Point to see what caught the dogs’ attention when she heard, “Belle.”
Her head turned, her eyes moved up and she saw Miles walking to her, the wind tousling his blond hair.
Holy heck.
She shifted her arms from around her legs, putting one hand in the rug to push herself up as the dogs roamed closer to her and she started, “Miles –”
He lifted a hand swiftly and interrupted her, “Please, Belle, don’t get up. What I have to say won’t take long.”
She pulled in a breath and kept her head tipped back to study him. His handsome face seemed thoughtful but she could read nothing else.
To her disquiet, Miles finished his approach and dropped to the grass to sit a few feet away from her. As a response, Gretl settled on her belly at Belle’s feet, her head up, eyes on Miles as Baron circled close.
“As you undoubtedly know, things have not been good, Miles, but I’m feeling better,” She told him in hopes of heading off any nastiness. “I ask that you please don’t mess that up.”
He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m pleased to hear that, gorgeous. That’s why I’m here. To be sure you’re okay. I came to The Point and tried to talk to you the other day but,” he threw out a hand, “Jack wouldn’t let me.”
She still disliked that he called her gorgeous. It wasn’t his place anymore as he well knew.
And she didn’t like that smile. It did not say he wanted her to be okay. It said something else. She was sure of it.
“Well, I’m okay,” she assured him anyway.
“Good,” he muttered, his eyes moving to the sea, his body settling in like he did not, in fact, intend not to take long in what he had to say but as if he intended to stay a while. “I assume, since you’re still here, you’re staying?” he asked the sea.
Belle didn’t much like this lead in.
“Miles, perhaps you should –” she started to advise him to talk about his brother’s future with his brother but he interrupted her again, his eyes cutting back to her.
“I promise, Belle, swear it’s with your best interests at heart when I advise you, if you can, to curtail Jack spending time with Yasmin.”
She felt her heart lurch and her shoulders get tight as his words hit her.
“I don’t think –” she began again only to be cut off again.
“They were lovers,” he informed her.
“I already know that.” She couldn’t quite keep the snap out of her voice though she also didn’t quite try.