Final Act of Redemption

“I don’t understand how you could still have feelings for that woman, after everything she’s done to our family.”

“And I can’t believe you’re still accusing me of swindling money from your company. Why would I do that?”

“You tell me.”

“I wasn’t involved.” David Fischer gripped the phone tighter. “Why can’t you get that through your head?”

“Because there are too many unanswered questions, things that don’t make sense. I mean . . . how could you not see what was happening right in front of you? She was your fiancée, for goodness sake.”

“I don’t need to be reminded.”

“Like it or not, it’s the truth.”

“Well, she’s gone now.”

“And so is my money.”

“Speaking of that . . .” David leaned his head back, closed his eyes. “There’s something you should know . . . something I need to talk to you about.”

“You’re the one who called me. So talk away.”

“No, I mean . . . in person.” David held his breath when his brother, Steve, didn’t immediately respond.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for another confrontation, especially if it ends the same way it did yesterday morning.”

“Are you referring to you telling me to pack my bags and—”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Silence.

“Well, for the record, I’m still on the property.”

“Not for long, if I have anything to say about it.”

“Look, Steve . . .” David dropped his lean frame into a stool at the kitchen counter. “I can’t help the way I feel. I’ll eventually get over her leaving. And maybe things will go back to the way they used to be. But in the meantime . . .” He squeezed his eyes shut and fought against the depression that had blanketed him for weeks. “Can you please meet me somewhere?”

“Why can’t you just tell me right now?”

David could feel the frustration in his brother’s voice. “Just trust me on this, all right? It’s better that we do it in person.”

“Trust you?” Steve puffed out a breath. “That’s asking a lot.”

“Fine, don’t trust me, then.” David jerked up from his chair and began to pace. “But you still need to hear what I have to say.”

“Okay, fine.” The background noise of Steve’s truck almost drowned out his voice. “I’m on my way back from Houston and should be in Fredericksburg in half an hour. Do you want to meet for a late lunch?”

David glanced at the sandwich and chips on the counter that he’d planned on eating. They’d still be good later. “Sure. That sounds great.”

“Let’s meet around one thirty, at Otto’s.”

“I’ll see you shortly.”

David hung up the phone and when he glanced up, Susannah Martinez, the head housekeeper for the bed and breakfast that he and his brother ran, walked into the room.

“Are you going somewhere?”

David took in Susannah’s slim-fitting jeans and pink and white T-shirt that read: Twin Oaks B&B. “I’m meeting Steve.”

Susannah glanced at the sandwich on the counter. “You don’t like what I fixed you?”

“You’re kind to make me the sandwich.” It was a chore for David to smile at her. “But we’re grabbing a late lunch.”

“I see.” Susannah took a few steps forward and wrapped her arms around David. “Well, I hope your appetite improves by the time you return home.”

When her lips landed seductively on David’s, he did everything he could to feel something. Anything. But his thoughts were somewhere else . . . with someone other than the voluptuous twenty-three-year-old woman in his arms. “I’m sorry, Susannah.” He pulled away from her. “I have a lot on my mind right now.”

“I know you do, but—” She pouted her lips. “Just remember I was here before she came into our lives and I’m still here now.” She wrapped her arms back around him. “We’ll get past this.”

David forced his arms to go around her waist. “We can talk about it when I get back.”

Susannah leaned her head on his shoulder. “I still want us to plan something special for your thirtieth birthday, so maybe we can look at those brochures I picked up at the travel agency last week?”

David nodded. “Okay.”

“Well, if you’re meeting Steve for lunch”—Susannah stole one last kiss before she reached around him for the plate with the sandwich and chips—“I’ll take this, then.” She pushed the Dr. Pepper toward him. “But you know I’m a Diet Coke girl.”

David reached for the plastic bottle of soda that he’d already taken a couple of sips from. “I’ll see you later.” He made his way to his car that he’d parked in the circular drive. When he glanced back at the main house, he was struck with a longing for things to be the way they’d been before . . .

Stop thinking about her, David.

It’s been over a month.

She’s not coming back.

He took a long swig of the Dr. Pepper before he got into his car and dropped the convertible top. As he drove toward the historic, downtown area of Fredericksburg, Texas, he turned up the music and pushed down on the accelerator.

If his mind hadn’t been so full of resentment, he would have noticed that spring had finally arrived, and bluebonnets had begun to bloom alongside the Indian paintbrushes and the ox-eyed daisies. But his thoughts were still trapped in winter, on the bitter day he’d learned the cold, hard truth about the woman he’d pledged to marry.

Why, Lord? He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. Why did she have to do it? I loved her. How could she betray me like this?

He navigated a bend in the road and tried to shake away the dizziness that suddenly gripped him. He hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours, nor had he eaten much, and fatigue weighed heavy on his eyelids. He reached for the Dr. Pepper and took another long drink, hoping the caffeine would kick in.

I’m so exhausted, Lord. But I’ll sleep after I talk to Steve.

He accelerated again, determined to make it to the restaurant before Steve so he could close his eyes for a couple of minutes before going inside. He’d had sinking spells before, but this one was a doozy. He gripped the steering wheel tighter and sat taller in his seat.

How did things get so messed up, Lord? One minute I’m engaged to the woman of my dreams and the next . . .

He took the corner faster than he should have, and as his vision blurred, David realized he’d lost control of his life, in more ways than one. In the split second that followed, his car tumbled down the rocky ravine in front of him.