The View from Alameda Island - Robyn Carr Page 0,109

nodded.

“Keep track of this,” Sonja said. “Something about Pamela strikes me as relentless.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” he said.

It had taken all day and he was grateful it hadn’t taken more than one day. The necessary paperwork had been signed by both parties and would be filed; the official dissolution would be forwarded through the attorneys in about ten days. Pamela’s lawyer must have told her she wouldn’t do better. Plus, she had never had that much admiration for a landscape architect. She thought of him as a landscaper who had fixed up an old house to live in. She was probably surprised by that settlement figure; likely she hadn’t thought he was worth much.

He couldn’t wait to get home. Home. He looked at his watch. With this new job of Lauren’s, he couldn’t keep track of her hours. He hadn’t really tried, for that matter. He knew she would go early and stay late if that’s what it took. But if she wasn’t there now, she’d be there soon. The important thing was he was not only free, he had a home, a job, a good reputation, plenty of work and a good woman. No matter what happened with Lauren and the doctor, he wouldn’t have any trouble supporting them. Himself, Lauren and the boys. He was left pretty much intact. He felt like he got off with a bargain.

He laughed out loud. A million-dollar bargain? The truth was as long as he had his house, his business and his boys, he could always rebuild. He texted Tim.

Divorce final. I paid and I’m a single man.

I’m glad, brother. It was a hard bargain.

Are you well?

Very well, Beau. Angela sends love.

If you ever need anything...

Thanks. Back atcha.

Love to Angela.

When he got home, Lauren’s car was in the drive but he didn’t see Drew’s car. He unlocked his door and walked in—they kept the doors locked these days. She was at the dining table on her laptop and she stood expectantly.

“Where’s Drew?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I got home a couple of hours ago and he hasn’t been here.”

He let out a breath. He went to her, pulled her into his arms and kissed her neck. “I’m done,” he said softly. “It’s over.”

“Over?”

“It will have to be filed so it’s just paperwork. It’s not my paperwork.”

“You don’t have to do anything more?” she asked.

“I have to write a big check,” he said, and he laughed. “That’s easy. That’s so much easier than the stress of fighting, of being off balance, of being unhappy. Well worth the money.”

“Your house? Your business?”

“The money will make all that secure. It’s money well spent.” He pulled her closer. “I love you.”

“Oh Beau, can it really be over?”

“The marriage is over,” he said. “How Pamela takes it? That’s something I can’t do anything about.”

“What do we do now?” she asked.

“Tomorrow I’m going to the bank to borrow some money, then I’ll deliver a check to her lawyer’s office, then I’m going to decide what to pack for our long weekend in Victoria.” He covered her mouth in a passionate kiss that lasted forever. “I hope we have time to see the flowers,” he whispered against her mouth.

“We’ll manage,” she said.

“Is Sylvie going to give you that time off?”

She nodded and smiled. “I told her about it the first day. Since I already had the tickets, she was very understanding. We’re getting a schedule of events together so I don’t miss anything in the future. And you have no idea how many things the Emersons have going on!”

He rubbed a knuckle along her cheek. “Is this a good move for you?”

“All my moves have been good ones since I met you,” she said.

* * *

Their visit to Victoria was magical. The gardens seemed to be celebrating Valentine’s Day, but that wasn’t even the most charming thing. It was the dead of winter and yet pots of colorful flowers stood and hung all over town. The average temperatures in Victoria were milder than most of the country. It was a little like Alameda—a special place just a bit balmier than the rest of the world.

And their time there was a little like a honeymoon, relaxed and satisfying.

Despite the romance of getting away alone together, they were both anxious to get back. After the stress of the past year, having an ordinary life filled with ordinary joys felt like such a gift. Beau’s home was fast becoming hers. The days following the mediation had been a